Marek gets some special one-to-one tuition

World of Sport • Published 3 Mar 2009 11:00

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I HAVE just returned from Reading's Hogwood Park training ground where Steve Coppell was giving Matejovsky some special one-to-one tuition.

Surely this means the Czech ace will now start against Nottingham Forest on Saturday instead of James Harper, doesn't it?

Well, don't be so sure. The focus of Coppell's attention was Marek Matejovsky's two-year-old nephew who has come over for the weekend with his family.

They enjoyed a little kick-around on the main training pitch sidelines and I'm sure I heard the Royals boss mention something about a future contract. Then again, it was windy.

But in all seriousness, Coppell is under pressure from fans to spice things up after a run of disappointing results. So expect to see Matejovsky, Noel Hunt, Brynjar Gunnarsson and maybe Andre Bikey figure heavily at the Mad Stad this weekend.

The rumour is that Jay Tabb may also be handed his debut and that Coppell could abandon his 4-4-2 formation and play three up front with Tabb playing in the "hole' behind Hunt and Kevin Doyle.

That would also mean Leroy Lita's demotion to the bench. But, as Coppell, says in this week's Chronicle, he would not need to justify 11 changes given their recent displays and the fact they can't buy a goal right now.

Anyway, all will become clear at 3pm on Saturday afternoon. So if you're going to the game, enjoy, keep believing and back the boys right to the end.

That doesn't mean leaving 15 minutes before the final whistle, like some "fans' did last week.

This blog appeared in Reading Chronicle 03 Mar 09

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