MillersMad Match Thread...Millers v Reading

[Heliosphan78]

We're off to the Madejski Stadium this weekend, which is a very unhappy hunting ground for the Millers. In 11 meetings there, we've lost 9 and drawn 2.

Yes everyone, we're off to the home of Reading FC. Let me introduce our hosts.

The Boss
Much maligned by some at Rotherham, Leam Richardson is of course, the current Reading manager. He was appointed on 28th October, replacing Noel Hunt, and has signed a contract keeping him at the club until summer 2027. The two games that he's overseen since his arrival are an FA Cup first round exit at home to Carlisle United, followed by a narrow 1-0 home victory over Stevenage.

It'll be interesting to see how Leam gets on at Reading and one thing that our former boss will have in his favour is Reading's playing budget, which is said to be one of the highest in the league. See link below.

https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/25223833.reading-fc-chief-financial-muscle-ahead-crucial-summer/

Player(s) to watch
Jack Marriott is Reading's top scorer this season with 6 goals but he's been out injured since the end of October and isn't likely to make a return until December.

Step forward Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan. At 6ft 3 inches tall, Reading's number 9 is clearly a physical presence but the 22 year old striker has found goals hard to come by this season, finding the net only once in 12 appearances. However his height alone is likely to cause our makeshift defence problems on Saturday.

Andy Rinomhota is clearly a player that Leam Richardson rates highly at this level, given that he has signed him twice. He's likely to debut for Reading at some point on Saturday, likely from the bench rather than from the start.

Lewis Wing (now 30) is another ex-Miller who has been playing regularly in midfield for the Royals. He's scored 3 goals in his 15 appearances so far this season. He scored a free-kick against the Millers at the NYS last season.

Recent Form
Last six games

Reading 1 v 0 Stevenage (L1)
Reading 2 v 3 Carlisle (FA Cup)
Reading 1 v 1 Doncaster (L1)
Reading 1 v 0 Northampton (L1)
Cardiff 2 v 1 Reading (L1)
Exeter 1 v 1 Reading (L1)

Latest Odds
Reading 8/11 Draw 21/10 Millers 16/5

Recent Meetings
(15/02/2025)
Reading 2 v 1 Rotherham (L1)
Nombe.

(05/10/2024)
Rotherham 2 v 1 Reading (L1)
Nombe, Odoffin.

Summary
Reading marginally missed out on the play offs last season finishing in 7th place, and you would imagine there to be an expectation to go one better this time around. After an indifferent start, the sacking of previous manager Noel Hunt, maybe underlines this ambition. With that in mind, Leam Richardson is likely to be a good fit for Reading. As we know, he has had previous success at this level and with a good budget to help progress the club, I expect to see Reading climb the table in the second half of this season.

In terms of recent form and specifically goalscoring, Reading have a slightly unusual record. Apart from once, they've scored in every one of their last 20 games (in all competitions). However, they don't generally score many, currently averaging around 1 goal per game in the league.

So will one goal be enough for the Royals on Saturday? Or will the Millers stand firm and secure a hat-trick of clean sheets? I'll be royally proud if we get something out of this one, enjoy the game.

UTM.

[Ericsladkilnhurst]

Key thing don't let Lewis Wing get a clear shot of goal, within 30 yards, he will punish us.

[CTMilller]

Thanks for another excellent write-up, Heliospan.

With our chronic injury problems, Reading's likely resurgence under Leam Richardson (who will probably be very keen to get one over on the Millers after his dismissal last year) and our historical lack of success at the Madejski, getting anything from this one will be an uphill battle.

One bright light may be the return of Tom Holmes - probably to the subs bench but may get a run out.

[RU66]

If he's fit just play Hugill lone forward tomorrow. 4-5-1 formation.

[RossTheMiller]

i think 1-0 will win the game but I beleive itll could be either team. we could win this comfortably but who knows with all players missing. the team lineups tommorow will give us a huge insight

[caytonmiller]

Massive odds for the millers
I'm tempted to have some of that. Reding won last time out but that's the first time since begining of October and they beat a Stevenage side who are on the slide.

[ScjR]

Reading must be one of the most miserable places to visit for a Rotherham United team. In 27 attempts they have won just 4% of matches, that’s just one time. They have drawn 26% (7) and lost 65% (19).
The highest attendance against Rotherham United came at the Madejski Stadium on 17 April 2017, 16,711 saw Reading beat Rotherham 2-1, former Rotherham players John Swift and Lewis Grabban cancelling out Tom Adeyemi’s 19th minute goal. The lowest attendance came at Elm Park on the 16th September 1992, 2,491 saw Reading win 3-1, Jimmy Quinn with two goals and Michael Gilkes, Shaun Goater scoring a 65 minute consolation goal. The average attendance at Reading against Rotherham United is 8,488.
Reading have an average goal per game at Elm Park/Madejski Stadium against Rotherham of 1.70, whilst Rotherham’s average goal per game at Reading stands at 0.70.
It will be former Rotherham United manager Leam Richardson’s sixth time as a manager facing Rotherham United, having previously managed Accrington Stanley and Wigan Athletic. His record against Rotherham is: W-D-L
Accrington Stanley: 0 – 0 – 2
Wigan Athletic: 2 – 1 – 0

Highest Goalscorer’s for Rotherham United against Reading:
Trevor Phillips 4
Richard Finney 3
Jimmy Mullen 3
Graham Leggat 2
Ronnie Moore 2
Dave Watson 2
Tony Cunningham 2
Sam Nombe 2
Alan Crawford 2
Neil Hague 2
Alan Birch 2
Michael Proctor 2
Highest Goalscorers for Reading against Rotherham:
Dick Habbin 8
Trevor Senior 5
Jimmy Quinn 4
Robin Friday 3
Pat Earles 3

Most Appearances for Rotherham United against Reading:
John Breckin 11
Gerry Forrest 10
Richard Finney 8
Trevor Phillips 8
Paul Hurst 8

Most Appearances for Reading against Rotherham United:
Steve Death 16
Steve Hetzke 12
Martin Hicks 11
Adie Williams 11
Richie Bowman 8
Steve Richardson 8
Barry Wagstaff 8
Pat Earles 8

Players that have made there Rotherham United debut at Reading:
David Lill, Ray Mielczarek, Jerome Thomas
Players that played there last match for Rotherham United at Reading
Dick Dawson, Rod Johnson, David Pugh

Hatrick’s at Elm Park/ Madejski Stadium
1970/71 Dick Habbin (Reading) Football League
1974/75 Dick Habbin (Reading) League Cup
1976/77 Trevor Phillips (Rotherham Utd) Football League

Players that have been sent off at Elm Park / Madejski Stadium
1985/86 Daral Pugh (Rotherham), Terry Hurlock (Reading) – Elm Park
2000/01 Stewart Talbot, Alan Lee (Rotherham) – Madejski Stadium

A-Z of players that have played for both clubs
Retired players
Tony Barras, David Bass, Jack Bell (Rotherham County), Fred Briggs, Martin Butler, Duncan Cameron (Rotherham County), Les Chappell, Jim Crawford, Shaun Cummings, Omar Daley, Billy Fergusson, Shaun Goater, Mick Gooding, Lewis Grabban, Fred Gregory, Dick Habbin, Greg Halford, Rod Johnson, Stephen Kelly, Jimmy Lofthouse (Rotherham County), Hughie McMahon, Sean Morrison, Jimmy Mullen, Johnny Mullins, Mark Robins, John Shepherd, Tony Thorpe, Barry Wagstaff, Kevin Watson, Neil Webb.
Active players
Zak Jules (Rotherham), Adam Le Fondre (FC United of Manchester), Emi Martinez (Aston Villa), John Swift (Portsmouth), Brett Williams (Stoneham), Lewis Wing (Reading)
Active players without a club
Brandon Barker, Abdulai Bell-Baggie, Tyler Blackett, Tariqe Fosu-Henry, Angus MacDonald, Stephen Quinn, Andy Rinomhota

Ive no idea why it asks me to log back in after logging in and attempting a post, does the site give you 30 seconds to make a post?

Please reply to for any incorrections
Almost forgot
One to Remember (has to be)
1976/77 Reading 0 Rotherham United 3 (Phillips)
One to forget
Every other away match

[Scum-Triumphant]

Any older Millers ever see Robin Friday play for Reading.

Was he as good as they say?

[Nogbad]

Any older Millers ever see Robin Friday play for Reading.

Was he as good as they say?

I lived in Reading during his spell playing for them, and I saw him play maybe a couple of times.

He was well-regarded by most fans (but certainly a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character), but my main memories are of him being banned from a good number of pubs in the area. Notably a few in Caversham where I lived, and surprisingly the Boars Head (sadly no more) in Reading Town Centre where I spent the evening of my 21st, and one really would have had to be wild to be banned in there in those days!

[millersrus]

We?ve been unlucky to lose a few times down there recently so it would be nice for that to change.
That said think we have massively overachieved recently, our patched up team has done really well.
Again, any return from today would be a bonus,

[Scum-Triumphant]

I lived in Reading during his spell playing for them, and I saw him play maybe a couple of times.

He was well-regarded by most fans (but certainly a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character), but my main memories are of him being banned from a good number of pubs in the area. Notably a few in Caversham where I lived, and surprisingly the Boars Head (sadly no more) in Reading Town Centre where I spent the evening of my 21st, and one really would have had to be wild to be banned in there in those days!

Thanks for that mate. His Wikipedia page is an interesting read.

I lived in West Reading myself in the 80s. I was only a kid. I remember the boars head though because it was next to the cinema, always had Harley davisons outside and a massive boars head stuck to the front of it.

[MILLERSTALE]

We?ve been unlucky to lose a few times down there recently so it would be nice for that to change.
That said think we have massively overachieved recently, our patched up team has done really well.
Again, any return from today would be a bonus,

Think this could be one match too far ? Especially with our record there ! It?s difficult to play without any goal scorers, even though we have a target man ! Hall probably is our leading goal scorer of the ones on the pitch with three !
Let?s hope for another special performance !

[Edinburghmiller]

Team news: Benson in for Sherif. Hugill plays. Tom Holmes and Martha on the bench.

[Nogbad]

Thanks for that mate. His Wikipedia page is an interesting read.

I lived in West Reading myself in the 80s. I was only a kid. I remember the boars head though because it was next to the cinema, always had Harley davisons outside and a massive boars head stuck to the front of it.

I was there from '73 to '79. I think I must have been to Elm Park only about 3 times (which is surprising, as I travelled elsewhere to watch Rotherham during that period). Probably a couple of Rotherham matches and one Doncaster Rovers (had an acquaintance in Reading who was a fan).

The Boars Head wasn't (ISTR) particularly rough, but it was "boisterous" (and usually packed). The head itself is preserved in Reading Museum (which I visited only last month).

[Derbymiller]

A draw would be fantastic, we cannot go into the Xmas batch of games with no strikers, we have to bring in a no contract player.