Reading Vs Leicester (Preview) - For Football-Forever

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Reading Vs Leicester City

The Majeski Stadium plays host to a tie between Reading FC and Leicester City FC on Monday night. Its a 'top end of the table vs bottom end of the table' affair, but its not the way that pundits, bookies and fans alike were predicting in the summer.

To say Reading have been out of sorts this season, is potentially an understatement. Despite today being a game in hand in front tonight, they sit in the bottom three. Yes, they were out of the relegation places before the weekends games, but after Peterborough's 3-0 win over Scunthorpe, the Posh have over taken the Royals and it sees only Ipswich and Plymouth below them in the table. Reading have the third worse goal difference in the table, only 'bettered' by Plymouth and Ipswich. There eleven goals is also the lowest goal tally in the Championship this season, clearly rueing the exit of enfluential Kevin Doyle to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer. They have so far lost every match in October; with their last victory coming in a tie with Preston at Deepdale in late September.


Key Man: Matthew Mills - their £2million buy has hardly featured this season and is rumoured to be unhappy. But potential the best centre back in the division, the former Doncaster man is cool and collected in every defensive area. He possesses a good right foot, capable of removing the ball from any frail position. He is also strong in the air and has a football brain which allows him to go to the right place at the right time.



Edgar Davids has not signed in time for Leicester for tonights match, so will not face the Royals at the Majeski. The League One Champions, Leicester, are in completely different form than tonight's rivals. The weekends results have seen Foxes slip to 10th place in the table, despite being in 8th on Saturday morning. A win, will see the Foxes enter the play-offs at QPR's expense. Leicester are in a good vein of form this season, with just two defeats this season in the league, their unbeaten away record denied by Newcastle on the 31st August. They also lost to Preston North End in September. Leicester have scored in all but three matches this season.

Key Man: Richie Wellens - their £1.2million summer signing as has been influential this season, since his move from Doncaster in July. Wellens can play as both an attacking and defensive midfielder, and has two strong feet. His passing is excellent both short and long. He is City's playmaker therefore dictates the pace which the game is played, providing the Foxes boss precedings.


Rob of the Rovers' Prediction: Reading O-2 Leicester.

Newcastle United 2-1 Doncaster Rovers

I haven't seen as many devasted Doncaster faces as I saw at the full time whistle for some time.

I don't think any Newcastle player can come out with any credit - they were diabolical. I can completely understand why Newcastle fans are unexcited by Chris Hughton getting the managerial position full time; their players looked unhappy at the prospect of facing 'little Doncaster' and perhaps gave the message before kick-off of 'we'll only need to turn up'.



On the other hand I thought we were brilliant. I can't fault anyone's performance. I thought dropping Hayter was a fantastic move and I thought we looked a lot more committed in the final third - although I do blame his replacement, Quinton Fortune, for the final goal, which I'll go on to later. Fortune's role gave us two defensive midfielders, to partner Simon Gillett, which I don't think we needed in all honesty.

In the first half particularly we were more than comfortable - it became almost arrogance as the game went on, however. The little triangles were working almost to perfection and we were stringing the ball around nicely. One slight concern was that Sharp seemed to be occupying a more wide, supporting role for Dean Shiels, which potentially confused our opponents, but I thought Shiels was a faster opposition who was more likely to exploit the space left by the poorly organised Newcastle back line.

We took the lead from a lovely worked move. Billy Sharp found himself one-on-one with Steve Harper, after another defensive mare from the Magpies, but instead of taking the greedy option of trying to score in that situation he played a beautiful, trick ball across the six-yard box, and Shiels on the left hand side of the box couldn't miss. It was an easy goal, to cap an easy performance.

In the second half, unfortunately, we took our foot off the peddle. When everything, bar some dubious linesmaning from the assistant referee, was going our way. I think there was many times in that match, particularly one decision when Sharp was deeper than his marker when the ball was kicked, and the linesman flagged for offside.

No doubt Hughton's half time team talk was quite good though. If that is a positive from a Newcastle point of view. Although I still don't think Newcastle were brilliant, they found an 'inner self' from the second half, which although they went more direct, and reminded me of the way Sheffield United tried to come back at us after trailing several weeks ago. They did spend longer in our half than we did in there's. Although I didn't really think at any point, until it happened that they were going to score. Three 'open goals' were missed by United.

Kevin Nolan's shot (that isn't shown in the above highlights) was probably the worse of the lot. From about two yards out he managed to trick Neil Sullivan, almost like a penalty, to dive the wrong way. Then Nolan managed to fluff it wide. It made me laugh to be honest. It's exactly how not to take your chances.

In fairness Newcastle did continue to try and press as Doncaster began to weaken. Newcastle scored an equaliser when a lovely cross was met by Andy Caroll who struck a fantastic half volley beyond Neil Sullivan. If I'm going to give anyone the blame, unfortunately its got to be James O'Connor. He's gradually becoming the player he has been since he joined the club, but a lack of concentration, allowed Caroll to get beyond him and slot the ball across the goal.

We had a shout for handball on the edge of the box, which looked almost the same as what had been given against Billy Sharp a few minutes earlier. It clearly bounced up against his arm, but the referee decided to make a decision against Sharp but not against the Newcastle defender - which is hardly a level playing field.

We won a penalty with 15 minutes to go, which would have sent us 2-1 up and probably won us the game. It was a penalty, again you can see it on the highlights at the top of the page. Martin Woods was stuck in whether to place it or go for power. The eventual result was that he sent it miles wide. I didn't have any grudges about him taking it, as he scored his last one; against Spurs in August.

Maybe from that you could say it wasn't our day. United then scored with a long range effort to silence their own doubters, who booed them off at half time. As I said, if anyone is to blame it was Fortune. By now Gillett had been substituted as we went more attacking for the win. But Nolan wasn't closed down by our defensive midfielder. Fortune wasn't close enough to the former Bolton man, forcing O'Connor to have to step in. It was quite lucky going in off the post. But it was a very nice goal but it ruined a very positive display from the Rovers.

Doncaster 3-1 Peterborough

"I think Hayter should be dropped for a game or two" said one man.

"No. A month or two, more like" said a second.

Then, perhaps jokily, yet with a hint of seriousness and sinisterism "If I was O'Driscoll, I'd be tempted to give him a season or two's rest." said the third.

I've heard a lot of funny but worrying statements in and around the Keepmoat stadium after a match, but the above is right up there with the best, and I understand whole-heartedly where the gentlemen are coming from, when I heard them walking around the lake last night.

It was said before the game that two Peterborough sides are possible - a good, talented, motivated side. Or the opposite, a dire lacklustre side, bluntly not good enough for the second tier . Fortunately for us, and tragically for the visitors , I think its safe to say we witnessed the latter - if it was one of their better displays I think they are in for a very hard season.

In fairness though, they started well. A change of end wasn't the 'change' I had in mind, I was thinking more individuals and at the start it wasn't a wise move at all; for the first 5-10 minutes they were on top. But we defended strongly and held firm. Before hitting them on a well worked counter attack.

The below average crowd who had to watch, with heads already in their Yorkshire and Peterborough palms, a game of head tennis. But the ball broke to Dean Sheils who had his shot parried by goalkeeper Joe Lewis, and it fell to Billy Sharp who couldn't really miss from two yards out. It was a poacher's goal from a man who I thought would bring a more rounded game to the Keepmoat Stadium, but he just reminds me of Paul Heffernan. The finish was straight down the middle, which confused the goalkeeper who thought the ball would find its way into the bottom corner.

And it didn't take long for the lead to be doubled. After some neat build up play, Dean Sheils' rocketed a shot from the edge of the area, sending the home supporters into bliss. Shiels was my man of the match. He looked quality. Running into every area on the pitch, including those you wouldn't expect. He was doubling up on basically every player on the pitch.

I got told not to underestimate Peterborough before the game, but this was going to plan and was very good despite the sloppy surface, making it more in the air than usual. I got told to watch for George Boyd and Danny Rose, I struggled to notice he was there, and needed did Darren Ferguson as they were both taken off in the second half.

It all got a bit tense when, apparently cruising Rovers, conceded a goal. A slack mistake from James Chambers on the Rovers right for the attack in question, let the Peterborough winger get passed him and James O'Connor and Neil Sullivan were beaten by the head of Aaron McLean. McLean did play quite well for Boro, but I think based on that performance he is potentially over-rated. Certainly fellow striker, Craig Mackail-Smith is. He was nowhere to be seen for long period, perhaps due to Peterborough's inept showing in midfield, but it was difficult to tell. He hardly had any opportunities, and when he did he didn't take them.

Rovers' final goal came after the game had fizzled out for a while. Before the goals I said, "Why do we still get excited over corners? We only score one a year.", next thing I know, Martin Woods' cross has been met by Jason Shackall and Donny have three. Game over.

Paul Heffernan - We need him to stay

The Paul Heffernan story at Doncaster Rovers is a fascinating saga. The striker, Rovers' top scorer, despite injury problems, in three of the last four seasons, now apparently is targeting a move away from the club.

The Irishman has become a clear fans favourite in South Yorkshire over the last four years, but has tasted a sour relationship with current manager Sean O'Driscoll.

When Heffernan was signed, it was by Dave Penney and it was to replace the outgoing Gregg Blundell, as Rovers looked for a new striking outlet for their first season in League One. It was quite a large void, as Ross McCormack, Chris Brown and Adebayor Akinfenwa, who all have a goalscoring pedigree in the football league, had all departed the club that summer.

Heffernan wasn't an instant shirt-sale booster. He had spent the last season as third choice at Bristol City, behind Leroy Lita and Steve Brooker. But Notts County and Bristol City fans had high opinions of him, as a player with a history of 'if he plays he will score'.

At Notts County, Heffernan netted 35 times in 74 starts in the League, which is quite impressive and warranted a move to League One City. It is very close to one goal every other start.

However his season at Ashton Gate was less than successful. Starts were scarce, yet Heffs still managed to score five goals in ten starts. A Bristol City fan once said to me, that had Heffernan stayed they may well had gone up that season and Tinnion would be still in the job.

Heffs came to Rovers, however, still little known to League One, still with a group of people concerned that he wasn't a proven League One goalscorer. But he settled in magnificently. Forging a partnership with Lewis Guy, Rovers established themselves in League One, finishing the season in 8th and reaching the Quarter Finals of the Carling Cup. Heffernan was a fantastic goalscorer. Not the fastest, but he was excellent when latching onto through balls and was one of the best one-on-one goalscorers I have ever seen. His finish against Aston Villa in the Carling Cup, was typical Heffs, a pass which beated the defence and Heffs was never going to fail to beat Thomas Sorenson from inside the area.

In early 2009, Heffernan's judgement against Arsenal, with Rovers seconds away from the semi-finals of the Carling Cup was voted Rovers' most regrettable moment of the last ten years by supporters. Heffernan gave the ball away, and quick counter attacking football resulted in the ball soon hitting the back of Jan Budtz' net.

Heffernans form has been consistant ever since he joined the side. In 05-06, Heffernan scored 13 goals, that was despite him being injured for the remaining three months of the season.

The change of manager didn't affect his goalscoring either. Heffernan scored 21 times in 06-07, as Rovers won the JP Trophy. His goal at the Millennium Stadium, and it was without knowing it, disputably the end of an era for Donny's number 14.

Bournemouth had relied on James Hayter for goals for many years in the O'Driscoll era, so it was only returning a favour when 'the Arsene Wenger of League One' brought his blue-eyed boy to the Keepmoat Stadium. Hayter was a record signing with a proven track record of scoring in League One. Unlike Heff's deal this set the shirt sales boosting. The marketting plea of the 'Heff'n'Hayter' was released in T-Shirt format, as Rovers aimed to get promotion to the Championship at the third attempt.

But it soon became apparent to what the problem was. Rovers struggled to score goals, and chants of 'O'Driscoll out' could be echoed on the terraces. The plan that had got Rovers' dreams and ambitions into a poweful flame, were now in fading drastically, and they looked like a team of relegation strugglers than promotion pushers.

In 07-08, Heffernan still managed eight goals. He finished as joint top scorer, despite being injured for long stages. In March alone, he netted five times in six games, as Rovers found their way up the table. Heffs then had another injury problem, and was ruled out for April. He returned, under pressure in the last day of the season against Cheltenham Town. Rovers were a win away from going up, yet with Gareth Taylor and Mark McCammon being the strikeforce, Rovers never threatened against the relegation strugglers. It was 1-0 when Heffernan came on, Paul Green pulled it back to 1-1, but in an attempt to steal victory Rovers conceded in the dieing minutes. But back fit again, Heffernan was in the team going into the play-offs.

For the first leg of the play-off semis, a Rovers' team consisting of Paul Heffernan took the long trip to Roots Hall and Southend United. Heffernan, now a firm favourite with the visiting fans, was labelled Rovers' best scoring outlet.

Unforuntately both sides cancelled each other out. But Heffernan's Rovers career was about to take a mamouth twist. Frustrated by being fouled by an opposition defender, Heffs' let his anger known and deliberately headbutted the opposition player, under the eyes of the public watching on Sky Sports, and spotted by the referee.

Maybe Heffernan cannot be inexcused for his actions. Maybe Heffs was wrong with what he did, but following the dissmissal it is rumoured that Heffs was subject to an off-field onslaught for his antics. The former Notts County man was questioned for his attidute to football by the manager, and it was labelled a huge mishap on the strikers' part. Heffernan concequently missed the trip to Wembley because of the suspension.

Even when he returned in 2008-09, Heffernan struggled to return to the first team. Gareth Taylor and James Hayter was the perfered striker combination as Rovers' slipped into the relegation places, and were the lowest scoring side in the football league.

Heffernan's name was being chanted from the stands as the pressure mounted on the ex-Bournemouth boss to 'let bygons be bygons', but O'Driscoll stuck to his stubborn ways and didn't start Heffernan until a tie with Ipswich in November. Rovers ended their run of 13 games without a win, Heffernan did not score the winning goal but his impact was certainly noted.

Heffernan was then excluded from the team again, making his return against top of the table Wolverhampton Wanderers, who eventually won the title, Heffernan and Guy, a recognised partnership for numerous years had a positive impact, with Heffernan hitting the bar, as the Hoops more than matched the league leaders. Subsequently the same strikers were used at Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day. Rovers proved exactly what they could do and routed with a 4-2 win, leading by four goals at one point. Heffernan netted two of his ten league goals that season, on that afternoon. Even though Forest were struggling it was proof that Rovers could more than hold their own in English football's second tier.

Rovers were the second best team in the Championship in the last half of the 08-09 season, and Heffernan was top scorer for the club. It provoked even stronger hailings from the club's supporters, but the incident at Southend clearly stood in the manager's mind. But at this time, the fans thought the manager had 'ate humble pie' and let the results done the talking, subsequently learning from his mistakes.

I think it's safe to see I and a lot of the Paul Heffernan fan club were wrong. Heffernan was ruled out for the remaining stages of the season allowing James Hayter to again attempt to persuade the doubters that he's a useful acquisition and it was the 'Heffer'n'Hayter' duo that started this season.

However after failing to score against Watford and Coventry, Heffernan was out of the team - with those two fixture's potentially being his last home and away ties in a Rovers shirt. I think he played well against Coventry. I didn't think there was much out of order with his performance, he just didn't score, whereas Hayter did. Maybe that is all it comes down to? Or more likely it goes back to that Play-off semi final. On deadline day Heffernan was strongly linked with a move to League One minnows Leeds United, with Radio Leeds playing up a the rumour that he was to move to the West Yorkshire side. Nothing happened, despite it forcing me to spend long spells of the day on 'Waccoe'.

In October, unrest was pretty much confirmed. Heffernan's agent confirmed his client was tempted by a loan move with O'Driscoll perfering the out of form Hayter and youngster Waide Fairhurst to the 'tried and tested' striker. Heffernan's resilience has according to rumours, stirred up interest from fellow Championship sides and top League One clubs, including Leeds - who have signed Sam Vokes so there linking with Heffs has been decreasing, and Oldham Athletic, managed by the man who took him to Belle Vue, Dave Penney.

I hope he stays, but somehow I doubt it. There's only one Paul Heffernan.