11 September 2025
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Despite renewed ambition, the on-pitch start to the 2025/26 season has been disappointing to say the least. The Royals lost 2-0 in their season opener at Lincoln City, and then followed that up with successive home defeats at the hands of Huddersfield Town (0-2) and AFC Wimbledon (1-2). They were leaking goals and not scoring enough.
There was some respite via the Carabao Cup, with Reading defeating Championship outfit Portsmouth 2-1. A hard-fought 1-1 draw at Bolton in League One followed, which was Reading’s first point of the season, and it offered some encouragement. Another draw followed against Wycombe (2-2) before Noel Hunt’s side finally secured a victory, edging Port Vale out 1-0.
Expectations and Pressures
Pre-season chatter envisioned a resurgence. With the club operating under new ownership and ambitious signings through the door, including the likes of Derrick Williams and Jack Marriott, and promising talent like Mark O’Mahony, optimism was sparked. Even football betting markets indicated Reading would do well, with the internal belief being reflected externally.
But early adversity has tested faith. Despite outright frustration, there are signs that something is shaping, occasional flashes of cohesion, decent defensive pressing, and individual endeavour. Manager Noel Hunt’s experience in navigating mid-season turnarounds could yet prove pivotal. However, fans will become frustrated the longer a change in fortunes fails to be realised, with trust eroding.
Is a Recovery Possible?
Yes, but conditions must align. For a turnaround, several factors must come together:
Integration of new recruits: Familiarity and chemistry need to be built swiftly. The likes of Paddy Lane, Jack Marriott, and Mark O’Mahony must translate what people think they’re capable of into consistent performances.
Attacking improvement: The defence has, at times, shown plenty of grit. So now the task is to get things working at the other end of the pitch. They need rt create more chances, and they must be converted more regularly.
Managerial clarity: Noel Hunt must instil a tactical identity that plays to the squad’s evolving strengths while instilling resilience and belief.
Momentum and morale: That first league win must become a catalyst—constructive results and confident displays to lift morale and standings.
If these boxes are ticked, climbing up the table and aspiring to get to where they want to be, remains in reach. Recovery is not only about points, it’s about building a foundation that lasts. Equally important will be Reading’s home record. If they can turn the Select Car Leasing stadium into a fortress, it’s a foundation they can build on. They need to avoid losing streaks, too. Those three defeats in a row must be the end of bad runs for the season.
Conclusion
There’s no denying that Reading’s start to the 2025/26 campaign has been poor. Yet with new ownership, a refreshed squad, and signs of collective resilience, moving in the right direction from here on in is plausible. It won’t be easy, but as Hunt and the club work to recalibrate, hope persists. The Royals’ journey back to consistent good form isn’t guaranteed, but it’s certainly not beyond possibility, and their fate may hinge on how quickly confidence can be built following the Port Vale win.
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