When : Saturday August 19 2023, 3pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
Well after Tuesday Reading appear to be back to square one in terms of team selection for this one as now we really have no clue whatsoever who will be playing beyond Button and WiFi. Good news though is that the seemingly more exciting and useful youngsters are all in with as good a shout as the more senior heads (and just maybe if some of those more senior heads continue in their absence other clubs might see that and try and actually buy one of them).
Anyway it's Stevenage next and don't think this is going to be anything other than another quality opponent. They may have only been promoted last season but in Steve Evans you have the proverbial "nothing else but 100% commitment allowed" manager together with a set of players who win games and are used to winning games. As a promoted team they will not have any fears about losing (esp. against the perceived bigger sides in the division) and this is being borne out with league form that has seen a superb 100% winning start to the season.
Only Watford in the LC and Cambridge have scored a goal against them so they're unfortunately likely to be well organised defensively, and while not running away with games they are doing what it takes to get ahead in games and stay there so this is possibly going to be the hardest game yet.
Luke Roberts and Jamie Reid form a striking partnership at this level that is as good as any other, if they misfire then former Brentford striker Aaron Presley is waiting in the wings. Defender Carl Piergianni offers threat from the back, the only unknown is what their team selection will be on the day as Mr Evans has been rotating his player selection.
At least there's some good news for the home team at last. On top of an injury list that remains at only 2 victims, Reading at least have the prospect of one new signing (attacking midfielder Ben Elliott) making his debut, the possibility of a second signing before the game (winger Paul Mukairu) and some optimism back once again after collecting their first points of the season on Tuesday (though the problem of lack of creativity and striking threat sadly remains fairly obvious).
Referee
Anthony Backhouse
Previously
No previous games
Historically
Like Cheltenham Reading have no previous league games against Stevenage but have had several cup games. There's been one in the league cup (I'm sure many will remember that pathetic showing from last season) and four in the FA Cup. Stevenage, though, have a much better record in Reading in those games than Reading having won twice to Reading's sole victory in an FA Cup 3rd round replay.
For the record the side that capitulated to Stevenage in the League Cup the last time they rocked up was: Bouzanis, Guinness-Walker, Holzman, Abrefa, Holmes, Fornah, Clarke J, Loum, Tuma, Ehibhatiomhan & Leavy so may be some of those names will be up to regain a bit of face on Saturday.
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)
