Jamie Paterson aims to continue a remarkable scoring run against Reading - and help Huddersfield Town get their first win of the season against the Royals.
The Championship rivals go head to head for a fourth time, and the on-loan Nottingham Forest forward has notched in each of the previous three clashes.
Paterson bagged an early opener in the league meeting at the Madejski Stadium in November which turned out to be Chris Powell’s last match as Town manager.
After Town old boy Oliver Norwood equalised, Nahki Wells restored Town’s advantage. But Ola John scored six minutes from time to earn Reading a point.
Brian McDermott had replaced Steve Clarke by the time the sides faced off in the FA Cup third round for the second season running.
Again Paterson got the first goal, this time in the 57th minute of the John Smith’s showdown.
Matej Vydra and Hal Robson-Kanu struck to give Reading the advantage. But Wells scored from the spot at the last gasp to force a replay.
Town made a storming start to that rematch at the Mad Stad. Paterson pounced after eight minutes and Tommy Smith after 15.
But the tie turned after a controversial red card for Jonathan Hogg in the 27th minute. Lucas Piazon pulled one back from the free-kick which followed Hogg’s foul. Then Vydra chalked up a second-half hat trick and Alex Fernandez also found the net in a 5-2 victory.
Like Paterson, all three Royals scorers are on loan, Piazon from Chelsea, Vydra from Watford and Fernandez from Benfica.
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“We’ve obviously played Reading a few times this season, and I’ve got a decent scoring record against them,” said the Town man. “I think we have been unfortunate, and we could easily have won all three of the games. We were leading in the league match and should have closed it out.
“And we were well in control at their place before the sending off. Hopefully I can get another goal this time and we can get the win.”
Town have taken just one point from nine and are 18th in the table.
They have lost their last two, at home to Ipswich Town and away to Derby County on Saturday, and didn’t score in either match.
However Paterson insists there are plenty of reasons for optimism.
“The Derby result was hard to take,” said the 24-year-old.
“At a difficult place we showed everyone how we can play and that we are a good side.
“We just needed to take our chances. That’s all that’s missing.
“In the past we have shown we can score goals, but you get these barren spells.
“It’s a case of keeping going and keeping doing what we are doing. The goals and the wins will come.”
Fan gallery from Derby V Huddersfield
