When : Saturday 30th July 2022, 3pm
Where : Bloomfield Road, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, FY1 6JJ
Capacity : 17,338
Saturday opens with the top of the table clash between Reading and Blackpool in what is going to be a very interesting game not least because neither set of supporters can be sure just what to expect in a season that is horribly disjointed due to the Qatar idiocy.
And I think both sets of supporters would probably take survival this season as being a success, certainly for Reading anyway where the ffp problems really have put the club in a difficult position (though it doesn’t seem exactly fair when you look at the Derby situation) but then if you try to circumvent the rules you only have yourself to blame if you don’t make the right calls, and Reading certainly did that with some ludicrous management and transfer decisions.
Blackpool are under new management following the departure of Neil Critchley. Michael Appleton has returned to the seaside hotseat after taking control of Blackpool in 2012 for what turned out to be just 11 games before he resigned to take up the reins down the road at Blackburn.
It seems to have been fairly quiet in the close season in Blackpool as regards transfers so far but given Michael Appleton wasn't appointed until the end of June that may not be much of a surprise - and of course there is still an open transfer window so who knows how that might change before Saturday. To date Blackpool have brought in just two players; midfielder Lewis Fiorini arrived on loan from Manchester City and this last week saw the arrival of defender Rhys Williams on loan from Liverpool.
If it means anything the Tangerines ended last season with a run of just 2 wins from their last 10 games, while one of those wins was a 6-0 home demolition of Birmingham City their season ended on a real low with a 5-0 stuffing at relegated Peterborough United.
As you know Reading's squad is quite a bit different from last season with no Swift (who pretty much was the last set piece specialist at the club), Rinomhota, Laurent, Morrison and no keepers who played in the team last season. Therefore there are number of new players to welcome in their place, plus hopefully at least another couple of options arriving before this game kicks off, all of which means, even with a preseason completed, a period of settling in and getting to know each other is to be expected.
Injuries are already wreaking havoc in Reading's camp and a ball hasn't even been kicked in anger yet. Liam Moore still is out injured following his loan spell at Stoke last season and seems unlikely to be able to return to action for 2/3 months, if at all given his circumstances. He has been joined by the ever lucky Scott Dann (calf problem), Shane Long (back problem), Lucas Joao (awaiting results of scans) and the yet to be signed, if at all, Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill (if he does sign he's bound to become known as "BOO the left back"). Of that lot it is hoped that Shane Long will recover sufficiently to be able to play some part in this visit to the seaside.
However Mr Injury has also been playing about at the Blackpool end of things as the Seasiders are likely to be without Jordan Gabriel, James Husband, Kevin Stewart and Jake Beesley. This slew of problems would suggest that Luke Garbutt is the only senior full back at the club who is currently fit, though Blackpool are reportedly looking to sign the Shamrock Rovers full back Andy Lyons.
Injuries though may well be an issue for many clubs this season with the cramming of games early in both league and league cup due to the aforementioned idiocy meaning not much recovery time save for the odd midweek here and there plus one international break in September.
Referee
David Webb
Previously
02 Apr 2021 > Barnsley 1-1 Reading
11 Dec 2021 > West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Reading
21 Aug 2021 > Coventry City 2-1 Reading
20 Feb 2021 > Reading 0-2 Middlesbrough
30 Dec 2020 > Swansea City 0-0 Reading
30 Oct 2020 > Coventry City 3-2 Reading
26 Sep 2020 > Cardiff City 1-2 Reading
20 Oct 2018 > Reading 3-1 Millwall
29 Nov 2014 > Norwich City 1-2 Reading
24 Aug 2013 > Blackpool 1-0 Reading
01 Nov 2011 > Nottingham Forest 1-0 Reading
05 Dec 2009 > Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Reading
Historically
Bloomfield Road has not been particularly hospitable to Reading down the years, the first 5 games played at the venue saw 0 points returned and 22 goals conceded (including the heaviest defeat there of 7-0) so there is something by way of a precedent already set for crap experiences in this part of Lancashire.
There have been 21 league visits in total to this part of the coast and Reading have won on 5 occasions while losing on 11 but haven’t won on any of the last 6 league visits (earning just 2 points) so a point would probably be a good start to proceedings.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and travel
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use a RoyalTV subscription (presuming you can get the commentary working at all)
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
