Derby v Reading: The Rams Worst Ever Premier League Season to End in a Right Royal Defeat?
After last weekend’s defeat at Blackburn, the Rams have been crowned as officially the worst Premier League team of all time. Their embarrassing campaign will draw to a close with a home match against a Reading team who may be joining them in the Championship next season. The question Premier 10 players must ask themselves is whether a Royals team without a win in 6 matches is good enough to beat the Premier League whipping boys.
Steve’s Boys Suffer from Second Season Syndrome
Ok, so Reading are on an appalling run of 6-matches without a win and haven’t actually been able to score a goal in this time. They’ve actually failed to score since late March when defender Andre Bikey netted twice in a 2-1 home win over Birmingham. Their abject display against Tottenham at the weekend doesn’t suggest they have much fight left in them but they remain in with a shout of survival. The Royals’ have suffered a severe bout of ‘Second Season Syndrome’ despite an almost identical squad to that which finished 8th last time out. The only high-profile departure was that of Steven Sidwell to Chelsea though the main problem for the Berkshire club seems to be the lack of acquisition’s in the last 2 transfer windows. Players who excelled last season have struggled in this campaign such as England international Nicky Shorey and Irish international Kevin Doyle. This season Steve Coppell has had to chop and change his side in his quest for points whilst last season the team more or less picked itself.
The table doesn’t lie as Reading have struggled particularly in defence, they’ve conceded 66 goals, a feat only surpassed by the sieve-like Rams defence. The Royals may no longer have their future in their own hands but surely if you enter the final match of the season needing a win then it’s Derby you’d be praying to play.
Derby Down and Out
Paul Jewell and his Derby players will want to forget all about this miserable season after rewriting the record books for dismal performances. They’ve shipped an average of over 2 goals a game (85 goals in 37 matches), scored just 20 games (failed to score in 21 of 37 games), lost 28 times and won just once all season. Needless to say being a Derby fan this campaign has been like a season-long trip to the Dentist for root canal treatment. However, they have one more match to end their season on a high, though after 5 defeats on the bounce in which they’ve conceded 20 goals, Premier 10 players should look towards an away win in this one. After all, Reading may be a poor outfit but there’s poor and then there’s Derby County.
Premier 10 players will miss Derby in the next campaign as they’ve been consistent throughout the season…consistently poor. So savour their last match in the top flight and do what you’ve been doing all season and back against them. After all, if there’s one match where Reading can rediscover their belief in their ability to win, it’s this match.
Pundit’s Pick: Royals Ram-raid Pride Park but it’s not enough to stay up (away win) Do you agree with this result for your Premier 10 prediction? Play Now>>
Tags: Derby County, Premier 10 preview, Premier League, Rams, Reading, ROyals
