Reading FC take on play-off chasers Cardiff City at the Madejski Stadium this afternoon looking to rectify their poor run of form.
The Royals have lost 3 consecutive games in all competitions and will be looking for a response from the players today.
Brian McDermott kept his side in the changing room for 45 minutes following the 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Tuesday night.
They face a Cardiff City that has had a noticeable upturn in form over the past few months. The club were written off for the play-offs at the start of 2016, but have well and truly proved their critics wrong and have an excellent chance of sneaking into the top six.
The Bluebirds have lost just twice in their last 10 games and are only a point adrift of Sheffield Wednesday in 6th place.
A win for the South Wales side could see them leapfrog Wednesday into the play-offs – depending on other results. While victory for Reading could see them climb 3 spaces ahead of Wolves into 12th.
Football League World Writer, Ashley Williams identifies THREE things to look out for in the game..
1) Will McDermott’s private chat work?
Something had to be done to get these Reading players motivated, as they have slipped further and further down the table since the turn of the New Year.
The conversation that he held with his players was how to take them forward back to the glory days.
McDermott explained to BBC Radio Berkshire that the club have really lose their way since they were promoted to the Premier League back in 2012 that included breaking the record for the highest amount of Championship points.
The Royals boss will be looking for a response today and a positive end to the season, as his side have really deflated in confidence recently.
2) Do Cardiff have one foot in the play-offs?
Cardiff City boss Russell Slade admitted getting the Bluebirds into the play-offs would be the biggest achievement of his long managerial career.
The club have been on a phenomenal run that has seen them slip back within the chasing pack.
The Welsh side have had plenty of experience in the play-off race and will understand how anxious it can feel in the final moments of the season.
Slade has endured a tumultuous relationship with Cardiff supporters since his appointment in October 2014, however he his slowly beginning to win them round and the crowds are beginning to grow at the Cardiff City Stadium.
The Bluebirds do have a tough final 9 games left of the season, and need to face 4 teams who are chasing promotion – Derby, Burnley, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City.
The club will need to win games like today, if they have any hope of sustaining a promotion challenge.
3) Cardiff sweating on fitness of key players
Cardiff could be without key players Peter Whittingham and David Marshall in today’s clash who are both struggling with injury.
Simon Moore and Tom Lawrence are on stand-by if they fail their fitness tests, but Cardiff will have to deal with the situation as players will pick up knocks along the way.
Marshall and Whittingham have been a prominent figure in Cardiff’s late push for the top six and they will be sorely missed.
Marshall is capable of a match-winning save and Whittingham can deliver a peach of a set-piece with his left foot.
The club will be bursting with confidence, but will need to expect a reaction from Reading and perform to the same levels that they been at in recent weeks.
Reading and Cardiff fans...What is your score prediction? Will Reading respond positively? Can Cardiff boost their chances further of a play-off spot? Let us know in your thoughts and opinions below!