Stoke v Reading match thread, sponsored by fat lady in white

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Having just watched the Shawcross challenge on GSS I am really hoping we come out of this unscathed! BM is absolutely right not to risk Alfie starting against this lot.

I'm sure Pearce will sort the dirty oxf*rd out! He backs down to no man!

If we are ahead or level late on, I really hope BM does not risk Alfie. 4-4-2 nearly caught us out last week. Would be happy to see us stick at 4-5-1 for the full 90 today.

This is the sort of game that Noel could do well in - I'd give him the nod over Alfie for the last 20-25 if we need to make a sub especially with his aerial presence but hey what do I know?!

[Royals-lad14]

Having just watched the Shawcross challenge on GSS I am really hoping we come out of this unscathed! BM is absolutely right not to risk Alfie starting against this lot.

I'm sure Pearce will sort the dirty oxf*rd out! He backs down to no man!

If we are ahead or level late on, I really hope BM does not risk Alfie. 4-4-2 nearly caught us out last week. Would be happy to see us stick at 4-5-1 for the full 90 today.

This is the sort of game that Noel could do well in - I'd give him the nod over Alfie for the last 20-25 if we need to make a sub especially with his aerial presence but hey what do I know?!

i think brian brings on ALF if we need a goal if we are winning and trying to hold on he brings on noel, that's what he did for west ham and it worked

[Colin Cheeselog]

To be fair McCleary was pretty awful against Sunderland.

HAHA that is the most ridiculous comment I've read in a while. He was ripping Gardner!

So much so that he was taken off after an hour, after hitting the first man with several corners and crosses.

[Royal Ginger]

To be fair McCleary was pretty awful against Sunderland.

HAHA that is the most ridiculous comment I've read in a while. He was ripping Gardner!

So much so that he was taken off after an hour, after hitting the first man with several corners and crosses.

He'd done his running and McD wanted another striker on. He linked up very well with McAnuff in the first half, and gave them no end of problems.

[Big Ern]

On paper a smart move by McDermott! Reading fans scratching their heads so god knows what Pulis is thinking. Strong looking bench too!

We'll know if it's a smart move in 90 minutes or so. For now it's a gamble

[Mike Hunt]

On the PL coverage, they have Blackman on the right and Kebe on the left.

[SPARTA]

blackman has started on the left. 4-5-1

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Simple passes go astray.

[Millsy]

Ok, now I'm suuuuure you all know this as you were all there and are not plastic...

But one of the funniest late laughs of the Southbank, or those of us who started chants at least, was when we played Stoke and they had a fan who happened to be a large lady wearing white. We sung some not very nice things at her. Then her fat other half took his top off, exposed his beer belly, and went mental at us. So then we started on him. Apart from I think Neville Roach (?) scoring a winner (?) and us sending them down (?) I can't really remember that match as several thousand Southbank kids, including me were transfixed on this poor couple.

Out of order, yes. Embarrassing for us in hindsight, yes. Am I ashamed, yes. Have I grown up? I hope so. But undoubtedly one of the funniest moments for us kids on the Southbank.

If Stoke beat us, I hope she and her poor guy a there to see it as I don't think we're their favourite team.

Apologies again for the terrible match thread, but this large lady brave enough to wear all white has to be honoured.

"cnut like a bucket"

Never doubted you Platypuss.

[Millsy]

Again, midget Mariappa beats Crouch

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Swans winning already

[paultheroyal]

First eight minutes - we keep Crouch quiet we get something from this game

[MmmMonsterMunch]

First eight minutes - we keep Crouch quiet we get something from this game

Don't agree - they are the set piece masters. We need to defend like beasts until the death!

[Big Ern]

Looking good so far

[BenSmith91]

Encouraging start at a very subdued Brittania.

[paultheroyal]

Plenty of opportunities to get balls in the box. Awaiting decent delivery.

[Royal91]

We need more than our usual whip it in the box.

[paultheroyal]

We need a decent whip it in the box approach.

[Royal Ginger]

Where the hell was Kebe!?

[MmmMonsterMunch]

2-0 Swans haha