When : Saturday November 1, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
Alright then, time to get excited as the cup is back in town and, despite the poor pricing decision, interest will be paramount as the curtain rises on the Leam Richardson tenure.
Whatever you may think about the managerial change, the fact remains that a change has happened and - if you're of that ilk - sitting there moaning that it's not right or it's really not the chap you'd have hired isn't going to help anyone, least of all the team or even your weekend so it's benefit of the doubt time (again) and let's wait a while until he's had a chance to show everyone what his vision is and whether the performances and/or results of the team improve under that vision.
This is probably the perfect game with which to start Leam off though. He only really arrived on Wednesday (which is the player's day off) so he and his new backroom boys will have had 2 days with the players to assess their personalities and talk with the remaining staff over the positives and negatives of each and therefore only a couple of training sessions so there isn't really isn't going to be much that's different from that which we've endured on the pitch previously save what can be got over by way of the charisma and man management skills of Leam, Danny and James.
The game will obviously be a big learning curve for the new management as they actually see what the players can and can't do so there will no doubt be some odd decisions made in team selection and game management but at least it's just a cup game if they're detrimental.
Carlisle have suffered two relegations since they last visited the SCL nearly exactly two years ago on 8th November 2023. They're now managed by Mark Hughes and are among the favourites to return to the Football League this season. They are currently second in the National League and on a run of 4 wins and a draw from their last 5 games. The Cumbrians arrive here by way of a 5-2 home win over fellow National Leaguers Boston United in the 4th Round Qualifying and will obviously see this game as a nothing to lose "go down with all guns blazing if you're going to go down at all" game. There are no replays so extra time and penalties will follow if things can't be decided in 90 or 120 minutes so be prepared for the logistical challenges brought about by neither side being able to see the other off within regulation time.
The stand out threat is the Carlisle strikeforce, Regan Linney has bagged 11 goals in 16 appearances already this season while Georgie Kelly and Luke Armstrong have both scored 4 each and former Leam Richardson charge Charlie Wyke has netted a brace so there's likely to be plenty to keep whatever backline Reading present quite busy especially with the Cumbrians having nothing to lose.
No idea what to expect by way of a team selection for Reading but logically you'd expect a strong line up as there new management will want to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their new squad as soon as possible so they're ready to make intelligent decisions in the games that do matter - and before anyone cries out about risking better players in a "silly" cup competition it should be noted that the club has a realistic target of making the 3rd round and a possibility of a real heap of dough if they can get a trip to Old Trafford again.
Injuries mean no Pereira, Garcia or Fraser but I think Marriott has a slim chance of making the bench. Elliott is thought to be the latest addition to the physio's table so he'll probably be missing as well.
Referee
Ruebyn Ricardo
Previously
No previous games but suspect he may be viewed as one of the "up and coming" referees as he's already getting regular Championship games despite 2022/23 being his first season on the league list.
Historically
Thankfully, given the distance apart, there have only been 12 league games between Reading and Carlisle United.
Of the 6 games played in Reading there have been 4 home wins and 1 away win with Reading having scored almost three times as many as Carlisle (15 v 6). This is the first cup game between the teams.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and travel to the game
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use a RoyalsTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
