When : Saturday August 5 2023, 3pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
And here we go back into the unknown with an ill prepared squad, unknown manager, hopeless owner and FL charges regularly being thrown at what is rapidly coming the biggest joke club of the whole 92 (and there is some really stern opposition there for that title).
After an utterly useless and pathetic pre-season Reading managed to extend their dreadful run of form to 18 games without victory (P18, W0, D6, L12 F12 A33) so there's absolutely nothing that can happen in this game that would surprise or upset the expected course of events other than Reading claiming 3 points.
Add to that the threat of a fan's sit in happening after the game you realise just how wonderful it really is to be following Reading at the moment.
Reports that Peterborough might be threatened with administration have been vehemently denied by the club from London Road and meanwhile they've not done too badly in their preseason overall and finished it off by beating Birmingham 3-2 (after being 3-0 up in 15 minutes) last weekend.
Johnson Clarke-Harris remains the biggest problem to deal with, though there are rumours floating about that he is subject of a transfer bid from Rangers so maybe there's a small chance he won't get to be able to partake of this particular turkey shoot. Equally centre back Ronnie Edwards is said to be on ManU's radar so who knows where Peterborough will be by the time this game kicks off. But overall Peterborough have had a decent preseason and apparently been looking like a well organised team more than capable of holding their own in the division (and quite probably being one of the better teams to play this season).
Meanwhile Reading are in god knows what state. However with the tax bill rumoured to have been paid and the rumoured new investors being shown around the place who knows what cock-eyed shenanigans will be happening over the remaining 3/4 days of the close season.
On top of it all there's the already blossoming injury list (as per usual) which has claimed Sam Smith, Ovie Ejaria, Sam Hutchinson and made Lewis Wing doubtful.
Referee
Simon Mather
Previously
No previous games
Historically
Reading have won 10 of the previous 17 league games played at home against Peterborough and have been beaten just once (by 1-0 on 26 October 1962) in that run so there is some form behind this one to live up to, trouble is that I think Reading would have trouble beating an egg at the moment let alone 11 fit half decent footballers.
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)
