I am intrigued to know the team selection for this Saturday?s clash with top of the table Wigan Athletic.

For the last three games, two in the league and one in the Cup, the gaffer, Steve Coppell, has left me on the bench and opted for a 4-5-1 formation with just Nicky Forster up front.

I was pulled to one side before the Sheffield United game, the first of the three, and told that he wanted to make us more compact in midfield. With that formation away from home, if you get the first goal, it makes it very difficult for the home side to get back into the match.

That was the case at Bramall Lane, for although United equalised our opening goal, they were still chasing the game and we were able to grab a second to seal the win.

While I fully understood the team selection for that game, I must say I was somewhat surprised that we opted for the same formation against Huddersfield in the Carling Cup. They are a side two divisions below us and, with us at home, I had anticipated playing 4-4-2 with me back in the starting line-up.

As it turned out they were a tough nut to crack. The score was still 0-0 when I was introduced with 20 minutes to go.

I was able to influence the game and give it a little bit of life. But, as it had been a bit dull beforehand, I think any forward player coming on would have had the same effect.

I had a few good touches and with seven minutes to go we got the goal we had been looking for, Nicky securing the win that set up a tie in the next round against Premiership high-fliers Chelsea.

On Saturday we travelled to Crewe and I was fairly confident that the manager, having played five across the midfield against a Third Division side just a few days before, would stick with the same system for the away game at Gresty Road.

As it turned out I was right but, unlike the Sheffield United game, we did not get the first goal, Crewe did, and having one up front and five across the centre made it difficult for us to chase the game. I knew that something had to be changed in order to give us some additional firepower. Either we had to bring another striker on or we had to play existing players in different positions.

I came on for about 11 minutes and, in that scenario, you just have to try and do your best.

I had a chance with a header when a good cross was sent in. I gambled it would come to me but, unfortunately, although I got my head to the ball I missed the goal by about a yard. I was disappointed not to have hit the target but then again I had only been on for about five minutes.

So that was three games and three substitute appearances but I believe I know why that has been so.

Last year Reading made it to the play-offs on the back of some very strong performances away from home. We got something like 13 wins on our travels which is tremendous.

When Steve Coppell was brought in I believe the board and perhaps the existing coaching staff have spoken about this and told him how the 4-5-1 system had been such a success. I am not saying they are telling him how to play but I think they have just made it known how the results were achieved.

I believe that?s how he will go for the time being at least, certainly away from home.

Like I said, it surprised me that we kept things the same for the Huddersfield game and with another home game on Saturday against Wigan I am intrigued to know which formation he will go for.

If I had to guess, I would say we will play a system with either two or three attackers up front, be it 4-4-2 or 4-3-1-2.

It?s a game that, if we are talking about proving ourselves and making inroads on those at the top of the table, we need to win. It is a great opportunity, not only to better our own position, but to slow up one of the teams ahead of us.

But I am as much in the dark as everyone else when it comes to what will actually happen, so I guess only time will tell.