League One Likely After Wigan Draw

29 April 2023
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading's season looks increasingly likely to end in relegation to League One after this disappointing draw against fellow strugglers Wigan. A draw was a result which really helped neither side, confirmed Wigan's fate after seeing a glimmer of hope extinguished when Yakou Meite stabbed home a stoppage time equaliser to keep Reading's slim hopes of survival alive.
Reading 1 Wigan 1: Read More...

Another Point But Royals Still In Bottom Three

19 April 2023
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading fans experienced the full range of emotional turmoil in the space of four dramatic second half minutes, courtesy of Andy Carroll. With so much at stake for both teams (although probably more for Reading) it was a cagey sort of game from the outset, but just five minutes after the interval the game exploded into life. Femi Azeez whipped in a corner to the near post where Carroll, with typically perfect timing powerfully headed Reading into the lead. The home crowd erupted with a mixture of joy and relief as survival suddenly became a more realistic prospect. Four minutes later, another corner to Reading was again diverted in to the net by Andy Carroll. With Reading fans now in a state of euphoria, referee Tim Robinson was being pursued by protesting Luton players as he made his way over to Andy Carroll. Robinson, to the horror of the home fans produced a second yellow and then a red card and Carroll was on his way back to the changing rooms. The referee's assistant had spotted Carroll had deflected the ball past Horvath with his hand.
Read More: Reading 1 Luton Town 1

Draw That Felt Like A Win

15 April 2023
By Hob Nob Anyone?

After a turbulent couple of weeks off the pitch, who would have imagined the scenes on the pitch of Reading players and fans celebrating an unexpected result taking a point from runaway Championship leaders at the SCL Stadium today. Having had six points docked by the EFL in the middle of a run of poor form the Royals had dropped in to the bottom three for the first time this season. With only five games remaining and facing three games against top six sides in eight days, even the most optimistic Reading fans were fearing the worst. The board decided to sack manager Paul Ince last week and temporarily handed responsibility for the first team to Under 21 coach Noel Hunt. It was a bold move which paid off immediately.
Reading 0 Burnley 0: Read More...

Paul Ince Sacked - Noel Hunt Steps Up

11 April 2023
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading have sacked manager Paul Ince after a terrible run of form combined with a six point deduction has left Reading deep in relegation trouble. Under Ince the Royals have won just two games all year and have gone the last eight games without a victory - a run of 5 defeats and 3 draws.

Paul Ince went the way of so many recent Reading managers - a promising start followed by a massive drop in form and a rapid drop down the Championship. The big difference was his lack of dignity compared with previous managers, persistently blaming his players and failing to take any blame. His claims that his players weren't good enough to play football in a recent post match interview said it all. It is no surprise to see him go and the right decision with so little of the season left. The Royals are now firmly in the bottom three and facing relegation to League One.

Under 21 manager and former player Noel Hunt will step up to take temporary charge. Hunt has five league games left to save Reading's future - but won't be expected to achieve that.

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Good Friday Is A Bad Point

07 April 2023
By Hob Nob Anyone?

With the home fans roaring them on Reading took an early lead with a goal of the highest quality. Casadei found Joao with a perfectly weighted pass in the box, and Joao's awareness and deft touch set up Carroll to strike cleanly past Ruddy. It was the perfect start for the Royals following their inevitable six point deduction earlier in the week. Sadly they were unable to build on their early advantage. City levelled the scores with finish of equally high quality of their own midway through the first half. Jutkiewicz headed Khadra's cross past Lumley with power and precision giving the Reading 'keeper no chance. There was little to choose between the teams and no further goals. The draw suited City more than Reading. Dropping two points at home in one of the more winnable remaining games, combined with the points deduction, resulted in the Royals dropping into the bottom three facing a run of very difficult games to finish the campaign.
Reading 1 Birmingham City 1: Read More...

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League Confirm Six Point Deduction

04 April 2023
By Hob Nob Anyone?

After months of specultation Reading have been docked six points by the League for breaching the terms of their agreed business plan. The deduction of points means Reading move down the table to 20th position and just a single point above the relegation zone. Relegation looms.