Following Reading’s defeat at Griffin Park, another tough game lies ahead – a visit from high-flying Leeds United to the Madejski tomorrow evening. Here is our five key issues that Mark Bowen will be looking at ahead of the clash.
Yiadom’s replacement
Andy Yiadom will be out of the game against Leeds having picked up his fifth caution of the season against Brentford. Both Chris Gunter and Teddy Howe will be vying to take Yiadom’s spot in the team.
Who will Bowen go for? Neither players have featured in the first team so far this season, with Yiadom being an ever-present in both Jose Gomes and Mark Bowen’s teams. Howe has featured in two Carabao Cup fixtures, the victory over Plymouth and the defeat on penalties against Wolves at Molineux.
For me, I think Bowen should go with Howe. He will have plenty of experience alongside him in the defence and his athleticism may hold him in better stead against the visitor’s relentless high pressing style of play.
Puscas needs to come back strong
George Puscas has had an indifferent start to his Reading career - but it is clear to see that Mark Bowen likes what he sees on the training ground.
Strikers thrive of confidence and Puscas is clearly lacking that right now. Although Bowen may want to take him out the firing line, he may not have the opportunity to do so against Leeds after Sam Baldock hobbled off at Griffin Park.
Puscas needs to use the disappointing result at Brentford as motivation on Tuesday night. A measure of a good player is how he responds to adversity and with Puscas likely to be the focal point of Reading’s attack against Leeds, he has the perfect opportunity to come back strong after a disappointing display against Brentford.
Substitutions need to have more of an impact
McCleary, Boye and Meite all came on in the second half on Saturday as Reading looked to get back into the game.
Although Boye was the pick of the bunch, little changed when the substitutions were made. Despite being behind, Reading found themselves pegged back into their own half for long periods and struggled to break down a resolute Brentford defence.
Substitutions don’t always change games, but the manager needs them to have more influential cameos from the bench than we saw on Saturday – especially when trailing a game.
Can Reading break down the Leeds defence?
Perhaps the biggest challenge on Tuesday will be getting past the Leeds defence. The Whites have only conceded ten goals in their first 17 games, a very impressive return.
They have also only conceded more than one goal in a game once this season, in their 2-1 defeat away at Millwall on October 5.
Leeds may have only found the back of the net four more times than Reading, but their defensive return has allowed them to continue picking up an average of two points a game.
Reading will need to be clinical on Tuesday should chances arise because it is unlikely that Leeds will afford the hosts many clear-cut opportunities.
How Reading respond to a poor result under Bowen
Until now, the side haven’t had to respond to a defeat under the new boss. The players have praised the change in mentality under Bowen and the increase in intensity – which may well stand them in good stead to respond to a defeat.
Although a defeat to Leeds wouldn’t necessarily set alarm bells off amongst Royals fans, Bowen will know that football fans opinions can change quickly.
A second consecutive defeat would ramp up the pressure ahead of the visit to struggling Wigan Athletic next weekend.
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