‘Lee Tomlin looks like he has had three Weetabix for breakfast’ – one Cardiff fan’s verdict
NEIL Harris will see a familiar face in the opposing dugout when he walks out at the Cardiff City Stadium tonight.
It will be the second time in six days he has taken on Mark Bowen’s Reading following the meeting between the sides in the FA Cup fourth round last weekend.
Daniel Morgan, 55, has been a Cardiff fan since going to his first game against Swansea in 1980 and believes they have enough to get past Reading in this Championship fixture.
“I am very optimistic. The last couple of games against Reading have not been good but I am going for a 2-1 win for Cardiff,” said Mr Morgan.
“I don’t know what has happened to Lee Tomlin but he looks like he has had three Weetabix for breakfast.
“If you look at Harris’ record he has only lost one or two. There have been a lot of draws but you cannot fault someone straight away. He has to have time to put his stamp on it.”
A 1-1 draw in the cup at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday meant that Royals fans will be making the trip down to the Welsh capital again on Tuesday for the replay to complete the trilogy of games.
The fixture hit the headlines for the wrong reasons following a tannoy announcement about “unacceptable” chants from the City fans, with Reading later releasing a statement of apology.
James Birkett, 21, who will be at the game tonight and held a season ticket at the Madejski Stadium for seven years believes the last game was more positive for the Royals.
“Reading played a young squad with a lot of inexperience and by gaining a result it puts the pressure on Cardiff to produce.
“Cardiff is a team that we have had good success against in the past and I believe that with the squad we have we are more than capable of getting a result.
“(Ovie) Ejaria has proved each match that he can be a serious threat to any defence. If he is on form he will be able to control the game and play to his tempo.
“Likewise with John Swift, if (George) Puscas can get the right ball behind be could be a threat for pace, which is something Reading need to look to try to do.
“I’m going for a 2-1 Reading victory with Puscas and Swift to score.”
The Bluebirds have played again in the Championship since facing Reading, beating league-leaders West Brom 2-1 in midweek.
Calum Paterson put City into the lead early in the second-half before a Jazz Richards foul allowed Charlie Austin to level things up from the spot.
Lee Tomlin secured the three points for the Bluebirds with a curling free-kick that left Sam Johnstone helpless in the West Brom goal.
Meanwhile, Reading were also in action during the week, earning a point against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Lewis Grabban put the home side in front with 10 minutes to play but Sam Baldock somehow squeezed his effort beyond Brice Samba three minutes later to ensure the spoils were shared.
Cardiff and Reading will start the game five points apart with City at 12th, while the visitors find themselves in 15th.
- The game kicks off at 7.45pm at the Cardiff City Stadium.
