West Brom vs Reading: Darren Moore looking for a show of strength

The Baggies go into tomorrow’s clash having won their last four league games at home, writes Joe Edwards.

And they have scored a whopping 16 goals from their five Hawthorns outings – the most of any side in the Championship.

“It’s always good when you can make it into a bit of a fortress,” said Moore.

“The fans play their part and let their voices be heard when they come to support the team.

“We’ll try to keep improving but we know we’ve got a tough game.

“It’s not one we’re taking for granted at all because the results they’ve had on the road have been very impressive this season.”

As alluded to there by Moore, struggling Reading have been decent on the road.

They have picked up one win, three draws and one loss so cannot be underestimated.

“Any team we play against in the division, we don’t underestimate anybody,” said Moore.

“They come with their own strengths. We’ll have to be at our very best against a good Reading team.”

Moore was delighted with the fighting spirit shown by his charges to come from two down to draw at Sheffield Wednesday.

But he insists there is still plenty of things for his men to work on.

“I thought it was a tremendous comeback by the group,” said Moore.

“I’m pleased, relatively pleased. I’m not completely happy as there’s still vast amounts of improvement that we’re still trying to achieve.

“We’re trying to achieve week by week, day by day, to get better.

“I’m relatively pleased but I’m not totally satisfied or happy because there’s still a long road to go – hurdles to overcome.

“It’s a difficult, relentless league and we’re part of 24 teams trying to do as well as possible.

“We’re just focusing on another difficult game.”

Moore has no fresh injury worries for this one and is hoping to have Matt Phillips back from a muscle strain. When asked if he could be involved, Moore said: “Yes. We check on Matty from game to game and will check on him again

“It’s not a long time that he’s been out it’s just the relentless pursuit in the Championship that has made it seem like that.

“He’s not been out for too long time-wise it’s just the games have been every two or three days.

New signing Bakary Sako could also be involved.

“He’s in contention. He’s signed, with the squad and on a contract now so he’s available,” added Moore.

“Bakary is a wonderful person and character.

“He’s been here a couple of weeks now and the way he’s bought into it has been fantastic.

“How he’s joined in with training has been second to none. We’ll look at what shape he’s in.”

The opposition: Royals looking for a big scalp at The Hawthorns

Reading boss Paul Clement says there is absolutely no need for a motivational team talk before taking on the ‘Premier League quality’ Baggies.

Beating Albion would be a huge scalp for the Royals, who have flattered to deceive so far this campaign.

“I don’t think it’s a free hit but there’s no need for any motivational talk for this game,” said Clement, who has previously questioned his players’ fight and attitude.

“The players have to be absolutely concentrated.

“West Brom were top going into the midweek fixtures, they’ve scored a lot of goals and for me they have a Premier League quality team.

“They have a lot of confidence and it’s in a big stadium so it’s a big test.

“We’re going to have to play much better than we did on Tuesday night if we’re going to get anything.”

On Tuesday night, Reading slumped to a 1-0 defeat to QPR at the Madejski Stadium – where they have lost five out of six.

The Royals have only been beaten once on the road, though.

Under pressure to perform at home, for the most part, Clement’s men have crumbled.

But they have scored five goals across their last two away outings so the Baggies’ somewhat shaky defence will have to be on high alert.

“It’s a big responsibility of mine to prepare the team home or away whatever the challenge,” said Clement.

“I think as a team we’re doing better away from home and at home we’re not, so we’ve got to find some solutions.

“I’m the first one that has to look at that and then hopefully the players can follow my lead.

“It’s going to be very difficult – whether we play them (Albion) at home or away.

“It’s strange how our away form is better. Our home form is very poor but I just judge the next game.

“We’re going to have to play really well to get a result.”

Top scorer Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (calf) is a doubt for the Royals.

Former Villa utility man Leandro Bacuna is likely to play in midfield.

“We started the season poorly and made some improvements – we’ve made a forward step and then a backward step,” added Clement.

“So now we need to find consistency. The home form is dreadful.

“We’re more concentrated away from home.

“The fans are being patient in general. I’ve been at other clubs where fans can be ferocious when the team are not playing well.

“The fans are being supportive – of course they are disappointed and understandably so but they are being patient. They are not giving the players a hard time.”

Likely line-up:

Subs: Myhill (gk), Adarabioyo, Mears, Brunt, Field, Sako, Robson-Kanu.

Reading (4-3-3): Walker; Gunter, Ilori, Moore, Yiadom; Swift, Bacuna, Ezatolahi; Meite, Aluko, Barrow.

The boss says:

"It’s not one we’re taking for granted at all because the results Reading have had on the road have been very impressive. We’ll have to be at our very best."

Memory lane:

The Baggies beat the Royals 1-0 at The Hawthorns on September 22, 2012. Romelu Lukaku was the scorer in the Premier League encounter.

The key man:

Playmaker Harvey Barnes came up with a late leveller at Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday night, so should be brimming with confidence.

Dangerman:

Yakou Meite

Ex-Wolves man Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is Reading’s main goal threat.

He has netted an impressive seven times so far this season but picked up a calf injury before Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss to QPR, so Meite should start.

The speedy 22-year-old has just signed a new four-year deal with the Royals. A rough diamond.