I’m actually a little bit nervous ahead of the game tonight against Chelsea. Not entirely sure why, as I can’t remember being nervous for a Premier League game before. Certainly not before the Middlesborough game, that was just pure excitement, as was Sunday’s game against Man United. Also, we have very little to lose as Chelsea are one of the big four. I wasn’t particularly bothered about losing 4-0 to Arsenal, although it is not something I’d want to watch every week.
No, I think I’m a little bit nervous on behalf of Stephen Hunt. As the media has helpfully pointed out, it will be Chelsea and Petr Cech’s first visit to Reading since that night. I’m sure he’ll take it in his stride, but I’m worried Mourhino will do something, or Hunt will let the occasion get to him, react badly to a challenge or something.
I almost forgot about the return of Steve Sidwell. I’m sure he’ll get a cheer from most of the Reading fans (probably when his name is read out as one of the substitutes). Cech will also be applauded and Hunt will be cheered. I’d like to think Mourhino will be totally ignored, but I know better. Still, he deserves it, and probably loves the abuse anyway.
The bus comes at 7 and hopefully will manage to get up the hill; we were so nearly late for the last evening game. There are more buses this season, and a train station is planned for 2008, so that should help with the traffic a bit.
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The Back The Boys Blog have created an online video screen request form so you can embarrass your friends whilst at the game 
Now all I have to do is work out which home game is closest to my son’s birthday and keep my fingers crossed that Sky don’t move it to a Monday night (like they did with the Newcastle game last season - curse that Michael Owen - actually I think someone already has).
This also works for London Irish games as well. I wonder if Kingsley gets on with Digger?
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- Reading to extend ground capacity Excellent (providing we stay up) but they must do better with the public transport otherwise the traffic chaos will just get worse.
- Steve Sidwell joins Chelsea I can understand the attraction for Steve but I hope he is prepared for a lot of time not playing much football. As much as an admirer of Sidwell as I am, I don’t think he is good enough for Champions League, so will be very much a squad player
- Congratulations to the Murtys on the birth of their daughter.
- Shorey in England B squad Not good enough. What I mean is that he should be in full squad
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John Madejski has repeated calls for a billionaire to come and buy Reading but is making all the right noises about only selling for the right reasons and will not cut and run.
I did predict that football would go the way of the super-rich some time ago and what I don’t want to happen is for Reading to be left behind in that process. We have a fantastic club here and it would suit a benevolent billionaire from somewhere.
However, he does show he is a fan, by stating
“I can understand the manager’s reservations. But as chairman, I’m allowed to say, ‘let’s give it a go and let’s get into Europe.’”
Meanwhile, Europe is casting a few glances at Reading. uefa.com a site that usually concentrates on the Champions League and internations has a piece on Reading called Reading on the rise. It notes Steve Coppell’s reticence for European competition but is very complementary. It has an interesting quote from Irish international Kevin Doyle when he stated that he’d “never scored a goal as important as that” referring to an Intertoto Cup goal for Cork.
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Steve Coppell has signed a new 2 year deal at Reading.
Steve told readingfc.co.uk, “I have always maintained that contracts are not really a big issue for me, but I have to admit that for the club to have such faith in me is very pleasing, and now I want to repay that faith by continuing to do my job to the best of my ability.”
Fantastic news, and a real break from his normal “one year rolling contract only” mantra. I foresee an excellent couple of seasons ahead at least.
Although I’m a bit worried about the enormous grin on his face. For someone normally so reserved, that is a very happy face. Almost too happy. Either Madejski has drugged him up to get him to sign, or there is a seriously large amount of money written down on that piece of paper.
Now, just get Steve Sidwell to sign.
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