By Mark Sugar
December 27 2003

Can the Reading players make it 4 in a row?They travel to the Bescot Stadium tomorrow in search of a win after 3 straight losses,losing every game 3-0.They play a strong Walsall side,who proved no mugs when they beat us 1-0 at the Madejski Stadium.Its time for the players to stand up and be counted. Walsall Vs Reading
Sunday 28th December
Kick Off 15:00

Team News
Out for Reading our strikers Darius Henderson and Shaun Goater.Despite supporters being told they were ready for the boxing day clash with Wimbledon both appear to have suffered a setback and now are 2 weeks away.
Dave Kitson will not play any part in the game tomorrow.The new signing hasn't been registered in time but also Kitson is out injured at the moment with a hamstring injury.He won't feature in the FA Cup Game at Preston due to him being cup tied.
Manager Steve Coppell must decide if Lloyd Owusu deserves a start.He looked the only bright spark in the 3-0 home defeat to Wimbledon.
Also Coppell must decide on start's in central defence.Ivar Ingimarrson and Adie Williams played the full game yesterday but now some Royals fans would like to see the original centre back pairing of Brown and Williams.
Scott Murray started the game yesterday but as usual played poor so Coppell has other options in Bas Savage to come back in.
Kevin Watson could be in for a surprise drop to the bench.Kev has been inconsistent in the last few weeks and James Harper could be in for a recall.

Walsall have proved to be a very good Division 1 side and picked up 3 points yesterday when they beat Cardiff 1-0 at Ninian Park.
Team news for The Saddlers is Pedro Matias,Aaron Kerr and Steve Corica are all ruled out through injury.
Paul Merson was surprisingly dopped for the Saddlers yesterday,but is expected to come back in the place of Neil Emblen.
Also in contention is Jorge Leitao.He didn't feature against the Bluebirds aswell.
Former Royal Simon Osborn now plays his trade with Walsall,and is a fans favourite with Royals supporters.
Also on the books at the Bescot at the moment is goalkeeper Shaun Allaway.He is on-loan from Leeds United.

KEY PLAYER FOR WALSALL:VINNY SAMWAYS

Form Guide
Reading sufferd there 3rd straight 3-0 defeat when Wimbledon outclassed us yesterday.
Walsall beat Cardiff 1-0 thanks to a goal from Neil Emblen.

Previous Meetings
21/10/2003 Reading 0-1 Walsall
18/1/2003 Reading 0-0 Walsall
31/8/2002 Walsall 0-2 Reading
21/4/2001 Reading 2-2 Walsall
4/11/2000 Walsall 2-1 Reading
6/2/1999 Reading 0-1 Walsall
30/9/1998 Walsall 0-2 Reading

League Table
9th Reading 37points
13th Walsall 34points

Ticket News and Travel
This game is ALL TICKET for Royals supporters with tickets priced at £16 Adults,£12 Over 60's and Under 16's.
STAR and Young Royals coach leave the Madejski Stadium at 10:45am and Station Hill 11:00am

Division 1 Fixtures tomorrow
Nottm Forest vs West Ham Utd 12:00
Watford vs Cardiff City 13:00
Bradford City vs Coventry City 15:00
Burnley vs Stoke City 15:00
Derby County vs Norwich 15:00
Ipswich Town vs Crystal Palace 15:00
Millwall vs Gillingham 15:00
Preston vs Crewe 15:00
Rotherham Utd vs Sunderland 15:00
Sheff Utd vs Wigan Athletic 15:00
Walsall vs Reading 15:00

Tuesday December 30th 2003
Wimbledon vs West Brom 19:45