News and Views

Reading Brush Worries Aside With Convincing Win

16 March 2024
By Hob Nob Anyone?

After a week of turmoil off the field, the Reading players rewarded their loyal, and increasing vocal fans, with an entertaining thumping four goal victory over fellow strugglers Cambridge United. It was a dominant performance with some excellent passing football and outstanding finishing. Orchestrated by skipper Lewis Wing, the one-touch passing and movement allowed Reading to dominate possession restricting United to only two attempts on targets in the entire match. There was a confidence on the ball throughout the team and a willingness to receive a pass which enabled them to maintain pressure on the visitors for most of the game. Several Reading players have the composure, touch, and awareness to receive the ball in tight situations and pop the ball off to an unmarked team mate to retain possession. The quality of the play lifted the home fans which in turn encouraged the team to attack a team clearly low on confidence and ideas.
READ MORE: Reading 4 Cambridge United 0 - Full Match Report

Huge Blow As Wycombe Set To Buy Bearwood

14 March 2024
By Hob Nob Anyone?

The club have confirmed that they are planning on selling Reading's Bearwood training ground to League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers. The sale of the training ground essentially kills off any prospect of a quick sale of the club. The impressive training ground would have been the main asset and obviously vital in any potential sale of the club. Wycombe Wanderers are set to secure themselves a bargain with the estimated £20 million to £25 million price tag only half of the development cost. Reading's announcement earlier this week that they were looking to offload the facilities to aid short term cash flow, couldn't have come at a better time for Wycombe who were in deseprate need of training facilities. This way they get a first class facility that is recently constructed and not far from home. In the summer they will simply swap the badges over and kick Reading out of their training home.

With Reading sinking to League One and no longer in ownership of their stadium after it was asset stripped by Dai Yongge, the remaining positives were Reading's training facilities and our academy, that has developed so many players that the first team now rely on. In the space of a few days both of those things that the club and supporters have been so proud of, have been dealt a fatal blow. There will now be very little left of Reading Football Club to sell - if there is any remaining interested buyers. Reading would have remained an attractive purchase to some, but there will be very little left to buy.

The club are reported to need an extra million pounds to cover wages and tax bills this month, so will be looking to offload the training ground as soon as possible. The income should enable bills to be paid and avoid a further points deduction. However, there is no guarantee that the money will remain available to fund the club and not line Dai Yongge's pockets. Wycombe's statement claims they are coming to Reading's rescue to "provide Reading with necessary financial support to ensure that they are able to meet their ongoing financial obligations". Unfortunately the opposite is true, as this short term "fix" destroys Reading's future. Desperate times just got worse and the big question is will Reading Football Club even exist next season?

Wycombe Get Win At SCL

09 March 2024
By Hob Nob Anyone?

The consensus on the concourse in the West Upper at half time was that this was the worst Reading performance this season so far, and it was hard to disagree with that assessment. However, it would be unfair to Wycombe to claim their half time lead could be attributed entirely to the poor quality of Reading's play.

Wycombe's game plan worked a treat in the first half. High pressing Wanderers prevented Reading from passing their way out of their own half, forcing them to resort to hitting long balls into their opponent's half. With their towering centre backs Lonwijk and Tafazolli winning everything in the air against the isolated Smith, the visitors kept Reading pinned in their own half for most of the opening forty-five minutes. Not only were Wycombe keeping Reading in their own half they were quick to snaffle up any loose balls in midfield. Reading gave the ball away with alarming regularity, and then conceded free kicks in clumsy attempts to win it back.
READ MORE...: Reading 1 Wycombe Wanderers 2

Reading Back To Sixteenth With Away Win

02 March 2024
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading climbed back up to sixteenth in the table with a hugely important away win at bottom club Carlisle United. With over 1,000 travelling fans making the long journey north, Reading secured three points to end the week positive on points after being deducted two points earlier in the week. After a set-back last weekend with a home defeat to Shrewsbury, this was a big win that puts Reading firmly on course to survive the drop to League Two. The Royals are back to being five points clear of the drop, and in good long term form, and look set to stay up provided matters off the pitch do not further interfere.

Reading got off to a good start, when Smith was set-up by the outstanding Knibbs, but Smith was denied by the Carlisle post. However after just 17 minutes Smith put Reading on their way. Knibbs doubled Reading's lead ten minutes before half time and scored a third just before the hour mark. The home side's goal on 71 minutes was little more than a consolation with Reading having the game well won.

Fan Opinion: Carlisle United 1 Reading 3