MATCHWATCH : MK Dons (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday November 4, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

And next Franchise will roll in on Saturday to start their FA Cup run. While this is a game Reading will logically be favourites for, the current managerial regime will probably be able to successfully counter that optimism in a variety of ways.

Franchise are currently 12th in the 4th division/tier with 22 points from 6 wins and 4 draws. In the overall league structure they are 84th compared to Reading's current 68th position but as Reading have been bettered in these competitions by teams a lot lower in the league standings it's probably wise to be wary and realise that **** sometimes happens (as if Reading fans needed any reminder).

Mo Eisa, Jonathan Leko and Max Dean provide a very useful forward threat, Alex Gilbey has been driving successfully from midfield while set pieces are a real danger in the shape of defenders Warren O'Hora and Daniel Harvie. Form wise Graham Alexander's team have won their last two league games (both at home against Bradford and Swindon) but those two games are their only league wins in the last eleven games played, only 2 points in their last 5 away league trips have been earned.

At the last check Hutch, CBC, Holmes and Ejaria will all miss out through injury while Mbengue is starting a 3 match ban. God knows what Selles is going to do, he might treat it like a league game or he might go for a similar sort of side to that which ran Ipswich close in the League Cup earlier, whatever he does you can be sure there will be plenty to moan about etc.

Should a miracle happen the second round draw I think is on Sunday after the Charlton v Cray Valley game on BBC 2, if anyone knows different please advise.

Referee

Thomas "Captain" Kirk

Previously

Nothing

Historically

There have only ever been 3 previous games against the Franchise, two in the league and one at the Mad Stad in the league cup. Reading have NEVER beaten them over 90 minutes, the one success being a 4-2 win on penalties (after a 2-2 draw) in the aforementioned league cup in 2016. The 2 league games have returned a 0-0 at the Mad Stad and a 1-0 defeat at the Franchise hut in Milton Keynes. So there really isn't anything very much to live up to here!

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the game
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Ring/text a mate for updates
4. Use a RoyalsTV subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[YorkshireRoyal99]

It's a cup game so I'm expecting us to score 5 and look like a PL team in the waiting. Reality will set in next week I suppose.

[Hound]

I guess like most fans I’ve not given this game a single thought

Rushesha is in the pic they’ve sent out on email so I guess he plays and rightly so

Hopefully our forwards can put away some chances. Otherwise meh

[NathStPaul]

Would like us to really have a go at this one, little cup run could bring a little bit of cheer to the supporters. Could also get a big boy in the 3rd round if we get that far.

[Sutekh]

Would like us to really have a go at this one, little cup run could bring a little bit of cheer to the supporters. Could also get a big boy in the 3rd round if we get that far.

And up the profile of the club as it gets flung out of the competition after throwing tennis balls onto the pitch against ManU.

[Zammo]

^ and that's why I am in two minds about going. Can't believe I'm gonna miss at home game* but seriously, tennis balls and disrupting the game can just fcuk off now.

*I'll probably still go

[windermereROYAL]

Is 1871 open for this?

[Zammo]

Is 1871 open for this?

Aye

[Panas]

Form wise Graham Alexander's team have won their last two league games (both at home against Bradford and Swindon) but those two games are their only league wins in the last eleven games played, only 2 points in their last 5 away league trips have been earned.

They sacked him last month and the new manager - Mike Williamson, ex-Newcastle CB - has been in for the uptick in form. I gather he plays a Selles-ish style so could be interesting/depressing to see how we fare against that.

[Royal Monkey]

Only one thing matters and that’s staying in League 1. Rest everyone play under 18’s and go out.

[Clyde1998]

Only one thing matters and that’s staying in League 1. Rest everyone play under 18’s and go out.

Thing is, getting to the third round could provide enough funds to keep us going. I imagine we'll play a team similar to what we've been playing in the EFL Cup and EFL Trophy.

[Snowflake Royal]

Yeah,this is all about staying in long enough to get a big pay day.

[tmesis]

I'd rather see us put the first team out. If they could win this, it might give them a bit of confidence, which they are massively short of currently.

[Crowbar6753]

At the end of the day a good cup run can bring in some much needed cash!! and yes, if we get a good draw and possible tv coverage moving forward then it gives us a platform to add further needed coverage of our plight i guess!!
We all know we'll get Man.U away if we get that far and on current form our U23s would smash them or we could just throw numerous tennis balls, get the match abandoned and let the EFL invent a new 15 point deduction for us

[blythspartan]

Would like us to really have a go at this one, little cup run could bring a little bit of cheer to the supporters. Could also get a big boy in the 3rd round if we get that far.

And up the profile of the club as it gets flung out of the competition after throwing tennis balls onto the pitch against ManU.

The poor Man U fans are really suffering about being the world’s worst run club so it would be unfair to inflict tennis balls on them too. I think Sky have even setup a special page for them to air their views.

[Silver Fox]

^ and that's why I am in two minds about going. Can't believe I'm gonna miss at home game* but seriously, tennis balls and disrupting the game can just fcuk off now.

*I'll probably still go

^this, apart from the going to the game bit

[Norfolk Royal]

Only one thing matters and that’s staying in League 1. Rest everyone play under 18’s and go out.

We're already playing out under 18s.

[Royal_jimmy]

Right now it'd just be nice to win a game of any kind.

I'd play a fairly strong side and give Wareham, Mukairu, Ejaria, Holmes and McIntyre a run out.

Although guessing we'll try offload Ejaria in January so don't want to cup tie him.

[Royals and Racers]

2nd round draw is live on ITV 1 on Sunday at 2.30pm.
If by any chance we are still in it we are ball 27

[CountryRoyal]

We sure this is on royals tv?