Reading vs West Brom

2022 - 10 - 16

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Tilehurst End"

Reading vs West Brom: Match Preview 2022/23 (The Tilehurst End)

Reading finally get the chance to return to the Select Car Leasing Stadium this weekend as they welcome managerless West Bromwich Albion to Berkshire.

What they need now is a manager who’s up to the job and a Director of Football. Touching on injuries, it was always going to be a matter of time before Sam Hutchinson got injured. Winning four points from our last three games, I’d take that sort of form from now until the break to ensure we’re still in a reasonably healthy position next month. The QPR result was frustrating - but it wasn’t our worst performance of the campaign and the fact we were level with the hosts for so long is something we can take heart from. But today is a new day and if we can get another point or three on the board, it will be another step towards survival. Following Steve Bruce’s dismissal earlier this week, under-21s coach Richard Beale has been tasked with leading the senior team into battle and will be hoping to guide his side to a much better position today.

West Brom player ratings v Reading as immense TGH & Phillips ... (Birmingham Live)

West Bromwich Albion posted just their second win of the season at Reading on Saturday as life after Steve Bruce began with three points.

A little more subdued towards the end of the first half but some of his deliveries in the second deserved to be converted. A couple of half openings in the first half, the closest of them deflecting just past the post. The goal he scored was beautiful, from the first touch to control the pass and then to progress into the box with a step-over before finishing nonchalantly. The second goal was all his own - determination and hard work and class. Sometimes he can apply himself to a point that he becomes a little erratic and his touch can be too heavy, or he commits a needless foul. Vital and impressive saves to keep out Loum and Meite in the second half, Ince and Hoilett too. A generally better showing in the second half. Junior Hoilett provided their best opportunity in the first half when he curled a ball to the near post. For a player to play three 90-minute matches in the space of ten days, having played desperately little since before Covid, is a testament to Kelly as a professional - not only that he's managed it, but he's looked comfortable too. He progressed into it and, after a trademark step over, he planted the ball in the near corner with a calm, side-footed finish. The finish was devastating and sent the away end behind the goal into delirium. There was plenty in Albion's performance to earn encouragement from those at the other end of the stadium who'd travelled south from the West Midlands.

West Brom mock Reading FC star Andy Carroll as Baggies earn just ... (Berkshire Live)

West Bromwich Albion caused a shock as they ran out 2-0 winners over Reading FC on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.

[Reading FC 0 West Brom 2 - recap live updates as Royals fall to second successive defeat](https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-west-brom-live-updates-25252084) [Reading player ratings after West Brom loss as Hendrick and Guinness-Walker struggle](https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-player-ratings-west-brom-25272026) [Reading team revealed for West Brom clash as Paul Ince makes three changes](https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-team-revealed-west-25271809) [Why Reading manager Paul Ince will be absent from touchline against West Brom](https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-paul-ince-west-brom-25271713) ['Everybody knows' - Alex Rae blasts referee after Reading's defeat by West Brom](https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-west-brom-referee-25273229) He joked had they stuck with the experienced boss, Royals would have had [a 'guaranteed three points.'](https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-star-aims-cheeky-25257798) ['Everybody knows' - Alex Rae blasts referee after Reading's defeat by West Brom](https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-west-brom-referee-25273229) [a slip by Jeff Hendrick](https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-player-ratings-west-brom-25272026) to double the visitors' advantage with 20 minutes to go. [deserved 2-0 winners](https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-west-brom-live-updates-25252084) at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday afternoon for just their second victory in 14 Championship games this season.

Reading FC player ratings after West Brom loss as Hendrick and ... (Berkshire Live)

Our verdict on how each Reading FC player performed in the Championship encounter with West Brom at the SCL Stadium.

Picked up an early booking which meant he was playing on the edge for the majority of the game. Almost set up a goal for Joao in the first half with a pinpoint cross but the striker headed wide and had a low shot saved late on. Made a superb last ditch block to deny the Baggies after a McIntyre mistake in the second half. Had a decent chance in the first half but could only turn Hoilett's cross wide. Saw a lot of the ball in the second half and produced a few nice balls forward but caught out defensively which almost resulted in a goal just after half time. Was given little service and had to drop deep and resort to flick-ons. Deceived for the opening goal as he expected Phillips to go across goal but instead got beaten at his near post. Reading had boss Paul Ince in the stands due to illness, so his assistant Alex Rae was providing instructions from the touchline. Worked hard up front but got little reward. Booked early in the second half for a dive on the edge of the Baggies penalty area although replays showed the decision was harsh on the defender. Filled in for Hutchinson on the right side of a back three which meant the team was deprived of his attacking threat down the flank. Drafted in for just his second league start for the club.

Reading vs West Brom