Royals Look To Leave Bottom Three
Added by HNA? on 26/10/09
Reading will be looking to climb out of the relegation zone tonight as they face Leicester City at the Madejski Stadium. The Royals dropped into the bottom three on Saturday as Peterborough picked up a win to move above Reading in the table. Only a win will be good enough for Brendan Rodgers' side - and that would only see the Royals climb one place. A draw will keep Reading in 22nd place and see the bottom four teams start to lose track of the teams above them. It's still early in the season but Reading's poor start has seen fans start to fear the worst and another defeat could see early pressure on Rodgers to be replaced, despite his lack of time at the club. The Royals have now lost three games in a row and are still waiting for their first home win since beating Wolves, thanks to an own goal, way back in January. Reading have only scored two home league goals all season in six fixtures - surely we're due a change of form?
Rumour Rating: Definite

Rodgers Under Pressure
Added by HNA? on 21/10/09
Reading manager Brendan Rodgers finds himself under huge pressure this morning after his side were soundly beaten at QPR - Reading's third straight defeat as they struggle at the wrong end of the table. The latest defeat sees Reading move to just three points from the foot of the table after collecting a measly ten points from thirteen games. This result should have been different for Reading considering the circumstances. The sides were level after 30 minutes after QPR had enjoyed the better start. However there had been little between the teams and when the home side were reduced to ten men it should have handed the advantage to the Royals. Instead Reading were instantly behind. A second followed before the break as QPR dominated the game despite playing with a man less. There was no way back for Reading already, but it was made worse straight after half time when Ingimarsson picked up a second yellow and victory was handed to Rangers. It was just a question of how big the defeat would become and the third and fourth goals inevitably followed. With four minutes left on the clock Howard scored an unwanted consolation for the Royals.
Realisation appeared, at last, to dawn for Rodgers. After Saturday's defeat to West Bromwich Albion he claimed his side we capable of being at the top of the table. After the defeat at QPR his tune changed as he owned up "...the reality is it's a very difficult job - all the best players have left". And that sums up Reading's situation after trying to run the club on a shoestring since the end of last season. We've sold or released all our best players and are left with a group of inexperienced youngsters playing with no settled formation or tactics. It's a mess and the season is no longer new. It's a relegation battle, but we seem to be missing the battle. Rodgers days may be numbered if he fails to get a win against Leicester City next Monday - but Madejski clearly has no budget or desire to bring in an experienced manager. An experienced manager would be foolish to take the job considering the state of the club. Is Rodgers really to blame for the mess? And is there any alternative?
Rumour Rating: Definite

Transfer Summary
Added by HNA? on 03/09/09
James Harper and Liam Rosenior has effectively finished their Reading careers after both players were released on season long loans. Harper has left for Sheffield United and Rosenior joins Ipswich. As both of their contracts run out at the end of the season it now seems highly likely that we have seen the last of the two players at Reading. Harper was Reading's longest serving player after a large group of players left in the summer and into the new season. The departures leave Reading with a very different looking side as the vast majority of Steve Coppell's team from last season and before have been shown the door. The Royals are left with a young side that has graduated from the academy plus the additions of Mills and new full signing Shaun Cummings. Cummings, also a youngster at just 20, signed from Chelsea just before the transfer window closed and is seen as a replacement for Rosenior at full-back. Cummings signs a three year contract at Reading after failing to make a first team start for Chelsea. He has been out on loan at Milton Keynes last season and West Brom recently. Perhaps the most exciting signing saw the arrival of highly rated Celtic defender Darren O'Dea on loan until the end of the year. O'Dea will ensure the average age of Reading's first team isn't increased too much - he is just 22 - and has made 32 league appearances for Celtic.
Rumour Rating: Definite

McAnuff And Rasiak Complete Move
Added by HNA? on 27/08/09
Reading have completed the signing of two new players as the Royals at last got moving in the transfer market today. Watford's Jobi McAnuff signs for £500,000 while Southampton player Grzegorz Rasiak completes his move to Reading in deal believed to be worth £300,000 to the Saints. Both transfers represent big cuts in value for the two players who both moved for multi-million pound deals earlier in their careers. Midfielder McAnuff moves to Reading with a back injury and is not expected to feature immediately, but Rasiak seems widely expected to make his debut as the Royals travel to Barnsley on Saturday looking for their first league win of the season. Meanwhile rumour continues to surround James Harper who is expected to leave now that Reading have signed what they consider to be a suitable replacement in the form of Jobi McAnuff.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Reading Chase New Players
Added by HNA? on 27/08/09
Following the collapse of the Tommy Smith transfer, Reading manager Brendan Rogers is continuing the chase for ex-Watford players as time to make new signings runs out. The Royals are rumoured to be in talks with Southampton forward Grzegorz Rasiak and Watford midfielder Jobi McAnuff. Rasiak had a successful loan spell with Watford last season after struggling to hold his place in the Southampton starting eleven. The Saints, currently bottom of League One, signed Rasiak from Spurs for £2M in 2006 - but his value has rapidly decreased since then and if he were to sign for Reading it would be for a fraction of that value. McAnuff was also an expensive player - costing Watford £1.75M two years ago. He too suffered from a lack of form but impressed under Rodgers and regained his place as a first team starter until picking up a recent injury. Watford are reported to be keen to shift the player who has failed to live up to expectations despite being one of their highest paid players. If the signings can be completed, Rodgers will be hoping both players can continue the form they showed under his management at Watford.
Rumour Rating: Likely

Transfer Target Smith Joins Pompey
Added by HNA? on 27/08/09
Reading's long standing transfer target, forward Tommy Smith, has left Watford and signed for Premiership side Portsmouth today. After months of speculation, Smith's move finally signals the end of an embarrassing public episode for Reading. Reports suggested that the Royals continued to offer less than Watford's demands despite many bid increases over several weeks. Finally Portsmouth came in and offered money acceptable to both Watford and the player, and the promise of Premiership football this season. Smith may or may not have been a vital player to Reading, but what is clear is that Reading need to make some new signings - and have only until the end of Monday to do so when the transfer window closes. In the meantime James Harper could still make a move away from Reading after the club made it clear they are happy for him to leave to increase the bank balance further. There are few million pound playing assets left at the club after the last few months of outgoing transfers - but expect any that remain to be the subject of rumour over the next few days. The question is will the club actually manage to sign anyone of note or will the academy players alone be left with the task of turning round a poor start to the season?
Rumour Rating: Definite

Lack Of Investment Shows
Added by HNA? on 24/08/09
Reading's continued lack of investment again showed on Saturday, as Reading's young and inexperienced side put in a good display of effort, but failed to avoid defeat against Sheffield United. There were promising signs from the Royals after they took an early lead from the season's only new full signing - Mills heading home from a Sigurdsson free-kick with 13 minutes on the clock. Reading then looked in control and should have increased their lead before the visitors drew level before half time. A rare mistake from Federici saw him fail to catch a long range effort to leave the Royals chasing the game. Reading's misery was complete in injury time when Sheffield United added their third. It was a small crowd, in our recent history, from the start but the ground was nearly empty at the final whistle. A large number of those who remained directed their boos at Reading Chairman John Madejski after seeing money pour into the club from the sale of several key players and a severe lack of incoming players in return. The situation appears to have worsened after Reading were rumoured to have refused Watford's demands for Tommy Smith - who appears to be Reading's only transfer target over the last few weeks. It's early days in Rodgers' Reading career but he is left with a very difficult task this season unless new players can be added to this squad - and quickly with the transfer window soon to close.

Still No League Goals
Added by HNA? on 19/08/09
Reading are still without a league goal after failing to find the net in their third league game of the new season. The Royals picked up a point at Swansea City but were perhaps lucky to do that with Adam Federici having an excellent game and saving Reading from defeat with a first half penalty save. The home side had much the better of the game and dominated the second half as Reading looked unlikely to take anything from the game. The point, Reading's second of the season, lifted them to 19th place in the Championship table.

More Millions In As Bikey Leaves
Added by HNA? on 19/08/09
Reading continued to shed established players for multiple millions as Bikey joined the flood of players out of the club yesterday. Bikey left for Premiership Burnley in a £2.8M move - meaning another tidy profit for the Royals after the player signed for £1M three seasons ago. The transfer leaves Reading continuing to rely on the academy players that now make up the majority of the squad. So far, the only signing remains Matt Mills as Reading continue the season with perhaps the Championship's youngest side. Meanwhile the club are rumoured to have offered Watford £1.6M in a final attempt to sign Tommy Smith for Watford.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Hunt Completes 3 Million Hull Move
Added by HNA? on 13/08/09
Stephen Hunt has today completed his moved to Premiership side Hull City for a fee that is expected to be £3 million. Both the player and Reading Football Club had made it clear that Hunt was expected to move this summer to a Premiership side, and it became just a matter of securing the right price. Hunt will sign a four year contract with Hull as he attempts to continue Premiership football. The move represents excellent business for the Royals after Hunt signed on a free from Brentford four years ago. Hunt, initially a very popular player, was involved in the most successful period in the club's history and should be remembered for his contribution in the ground breaking 2006/2007 season.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Barnsley In League Cup
Added by HNA? on 13/08/09
Reading will face Barnsley in the second round of the League Cup after this week's 5-1 victory over Burton Albion. Reading were three goals up after just nine minutes on Tuesday and were easy winners with Mooney and Bignall both scoring two and Sigurdsson grabbing the Royals other goal on the night. The second round game will take place at the Madjeski Stadium on Tuesday 25 August.

Farewell Kevin Doyle
Added by HNA? on 30/06/09
Reading striker Kevin Doyle is set to join Premiership side Wolverhampton Wanderers for a record £6.5million. Doyle has been stunning for Reading since joining from Cork City four years ago, recording over 150 appearances and banging in 55 league goals in his time at the club. His obvious talent saw him become a regular International player for Ireland - scoring six in 25 appearances while with the Royals. It's a shame he's had to go but no one can begrduge him a move back to the top tier of English football and I'm sure all Reading fans will wish him luck. Doyle links back up with Marcus Hahnemann at Wolves and leaves new boss Brendan Rodgers with a big job in rebuilding a reduced Reading squad in time for the new season.
Rumour Rating: Almost Certain

End Of Season Awards - Results
Added by HNA? on 26/06/09
The results are in for the 2008/2009 Hob Nob Anyone? End of Season Awards, with Chris Armstrong winning the most votes to pick up the title of player of the season. Armstrong was a clear winner picking up nearly two thirds of the vote.
Jem Karacan was voted most improved player of the season, after breaking into the first team and holding a place for an extended part of the season. The vote was well spread in this category with a number of players to choose from - Alex Pearce was a close runner up who beat Shane Long into third place.
It was a disappointing season in the end but Reading still managed a fourth placed finish - which left plenty of choice for both best and worst performance of the season. The 3-0 away victory at Champions Wolves was a clear winner of the best performance but there were a lot of votes for our 6-0 home win over Sheffield Wednesday and another stunning away victory over promoted Birmingham City. The home defeat against Birmingham which ended the hope of automatic promotion finished high up in the worst performances, but the home defeats in February which turned the season into failure finished in the top two places - defeats by Nottingham Forest and Bristol City.
Reading fans thought play-offs or automatic promotion this time last season. This time around Reading fans are expecting play-offs or midtable and expectations have dropped considerably. There's a lot of fans who think we may get a sniff of promotion but the general opinion seems to suggest people expect us to stay put this year and have the 2010/2011 still in the Championship.

Forest And Newcastle Utd To Start
Added by HNA? on 17/06/09
Reading start the new 2009/2010 season with a home game against Nottingham Forest on 8th August 2009. The following Saturday will see Newcastle United host their first home Championship fixture since last season's relegation - against the Royals. A tough start to the season for Reading is followed up by a trip to Swansea City followed by a home game against last season's third placed team Sheffield United. Home fixtures against the two sides relegated from the Premiership will take place on the 3rd October (Middlesbrough) and the 9th January (Newcastle United). Reading will both start and finish the season with home fixtures. The last day of the season will see Preston visit the Madejski Stadium.

New Season Fixtures Released
Added by HNA? on 17/06/09

Rodgers Joins Reading
Added by HNA? on 04/06/09
Brendan Rodgers is the new Reading manager, after agreeing a three year contract with the Royals. Rodgers was offered the position after an interview with the club on Tuesday - since then a compensation package has been agreed between the Royals and Watford. The Hornets will be given half a million pounds compensation that will rise to a million should Reading get promoted under Rodgers. The agreement left Rodgers free to complete his move to Reading. Rodgers is expected to bring with him the management team from Watford that includes coaches Frank Lampard Senior and Dean Austin.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Rodgers To Be Named New Manager
Added by HNA? on 04/06/09
Watford manager Brendan Rodgers is to be confirmed as the new Reading team manager. Rodgers, who has been favourite to take over the Madejski Stadium since Steve Coppell left, has retained many links to Reading since working with the academy side and comes with the Madejski seal of approval. Rodgers' short managerial career saw him take over at Watford in November last year and his record of 13 wins and 7 draws from 32 games was enough to lift the side away from the bottom of the table and record a mid-table Championship finish. The Hornets were keen to hang on to their boss, but Reading have agreed a substantial compensation deal with Watford to enable Rodgers to agree terms with the Royals.
Rumour Rating: Almost Certain

End Of Season Awards 08/09
Added by HNA? on 28/05/09
Although a bit later than usual, once again it's time to cast your votes in the annual Hob Nob Anyone? End of Season Awards. Reading's "season of two halves" finally ground to a disappointing end with play-off semi-final failure and the departure of boss Steve Coppell and his management team. The squad has also shrunk in size with a number of first team players set to leave. It wasn't all bad though. Was it? Following the link below to place your votes for the high and low points of the season - results will follow in a few weeks.

Murty, Hahnemann, Lita, Duberry Exit
Added by HNA? on 18/05/09
Following the departure of the management team, it's all change on the playing front too. A number of players are being shown the door by the club, under the guidance of Nicky Hammond, as the major spring clean continues. Players with a firm place in the Reading history books will not have their contracts renewed, including Graeme Murty and Marcus Hahnemann. Murty, the club captain, leaves after eleven glorious years at the club after signing from York. Murty made well over 300 starts for the Royals and was a key part of the team that made club history in our promotion to the Premiership. Hahnemann, perhaps a shock departure, also hit nearly 300 appearances for the Royals after signing initially on loan in 2001. The controversial Leroy Lita leaves after failing to really make his mark - it's also disappointing the club were unable to earn some cash from his sale and instead will see him leave for a free. Duberry's departure follows a steady run in the side and makes it clear that Reading will need to make some new signings this summer to fill the gaps. A number of players that had progressed from the academy are also set to leave, including Scott Golbourne who managed a handful of appearances for the first team.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Management Team Departs
Added by HNA? on 14/05/09
Kevin Dillon and Wally Downes have followed manager Steve Coppell out of the door and left the club following the club's play-off failure. The entire change of management has been confirmed after Steve Coppell quit after Tuesday night's second leg play-off defeat. It truly is the end of an era - our most successful era - after years of historic success were followed by relegation from the Premiership and a faltering promotion campaign this year. The club and it's fans owe all three men severe gratitude for transforming the club, but for all involved it appears to be the time for change. Steve Coppell will leave as a true Reading legend. He plans to take a break from football for a while before making a return to management and we are sure all Reading fans wish him the very best.

Burnley Tickets On General Sale
Added by HNA? on 07/05/09
There are still tickets available for both legs of Reading's play-off fixtures with Burnley - and the remaining seats are now on general sale. The Royals travel to Turf Moor on Saturday with a 5:20pm kick-off for the first leg, with the return fixture at the Madejski Stadium next Tuesday (kick-off 7:45pm). Both of the games will be shown live on Sky Sports as the Royals attempt to reach the play-off final - and a final attempt at promotion to the Premiership following Sunday's home defeat against Birmingham City. The other play-off fixtures see Preston North End take on Sheffield United who also missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season.

Long Double Sets Up Sunday
Added by HNA? on 28/04/09
Two goals from Shane Long secured a vital away win at Norwich City last night to set up a huge final day of the season next Sunday. It had looked as though Reading had thrown the season away two weeks ago, but two straight away wins and a Birmingham City defeat at the weekend leaves second place in the table still up for grabs with one game left to play. A victory over Birmingham on Sunday will see Reading return to the Premiership, on goal difference, if Crystal Palace manage to take at least a point from Sheffield United. It remains an outside bet but the possibility of automatic promotion has gone from no chance to a strong possibility on the back of two excellent away showings. If next Sunday doesn't work out then these two results, a pick-up in form, could see Reading well placed for promotion via the play-offs. Last night the Royals were faced with a tough fixture against a Norwich side desperate to win themselves to avoid relegation. After an even first half in which neither side had many chances to go ahead, Reading quickly looked comfortable in the second half. City may have had more shots in the first half, but these were from long range efforts that were often narrowly off target. The Royals were defending well, closing the home side down quickly and preventing them working any close range efforts. In the second half Reading built on this and City were pushed back into their own half nearly every time they ventured forward. In attack, Reading had Kebe and Long to thank for the two vital goals - each an excellent cross from Kebe on the left to Long in the box to head home. The first was easy for Long with a perfect cross and perfect positioning from Long for a simple close range header. The second saw Long do the difficult work, rising above two defenders in the middle of the box to score. The Royals now need to take their away form to the Madejski Stadium on Sunday, again in front of the live Sky TV cameras, and hope Palace can help out. It should be quite some day - an unexpected rush of excitement at the end of the season and the chance of completing a quick return to the top tier.

All To Play For As City Slip Up
Added by HNA? on 25/04/09
Birmingham City failed to seal a second place finish after a home defeat to Preston North End this afternoon. It was the result that Reading needed to keep the dream of automatic promotion alive. The result means that second place is still up for grabs with Birmingham City, Sheffield United and Reading all possibilites at this stage. Sheffield United took a big step to claiming second place with a home win over Swansea City today. Reading must now win away at Norwich City on Monday night to take their hopes of automatic promotion into the final day of the season. If the Royals do defeat Norwich, then a home victory over Birmingham City will see Reading finish second provided Sheffield United fail to win at Crystal Palace. Monday night's game has become of massive importance to both sides - Norwich need the points to help in their bid to stay up and Reading simply have to win or next Sunday's game will only be about determining play-off opposition for the Royals.

Royals Secure Play-Off Place
Added by HNA? on 22/04/09
Reading effectively secured a play-off position with an important away win at Derby County last night. The Royals, who looked much improved over their recent home performaces, controlled the game and could have won by more after having three first half 'goals' ruled out for offside. The victory came from second half strikes from on-loan David Kitson and Shane Long. The Royals are now set for a top six finish, but bizarrely the result means Reading still have an unlikely shot at second place and automatic promotion. Reading are six points behind Birmingham but have a better goal difference - if City lose at home to Preston, Sheffield United fail to win their last two games and Reading win both of their final fixtures then we could see a second placed finish on goal difference. With that in mind we had better start looking towards our play-off fixtures...

Slide Continues
Added by HNA? on 14/04/09
Reading effectively ruled out any remaining chance of automatic promotion and left themselves with the challenge of limping to a play-off position finish after another disasterous weekend of football. A home defeat against promotion rivals Sheffield United followed by letting a two goal lead slip to pick up just a point at Blackpool, saw Reading slide to fifth in the table. From a strong second placed spot the Royals are grimly holding on to a play-off position after an amazing lack of form in 2009. Reading will need to pick up some more points this season or even a top six finish is in doubt with the seventh and eighth placed teams now just five points behind. The goal drought continued at home to United with the visitors scoring the only goal in the second half. Things were looking up for a while at Blackpool after Noel Hunt and Karacan put Reading two goals up. However the home side pulled two back - one in each half - to share the points at 2-2.

Tight At The Top
Added by HNA? on 24/03/09
Reading and Birmingham City both dropped two more points at the weekend as the battle for second place heats up, with the season rapidly running out. Meanwhile Sheffield United's victory put them firmly in the frame for a second placed finish with the teams above them continuing to stutter. Wolves are starting to look good for top spot with a clear lead despite some recent poor results themselves. With both Sheffield United and Birmingham still to visit the Madejski Stadium before the end of the season, it remains firmly in Reading's hands. A home defeat in either of those games could well be fatal and see Reading set for the play-off lottery. Victory in those two, with points taken elsewhere, could see a quick return to the Premiership for the Royals. On Saturday Reading were, in the end, happy to settle for an away point after being reduced to ten men with twenty minutes still to play after Rosenior picked up his second yellow card of the game. Reading had chances to score themselves but the home side had the advantage in numbers and possession as the game drew to a close.

Promotion Hopes Kept Alive
Added by HNA? on 18/03/09
Reading's hopes of automatic promotion were kept alive last night as Reading ended a dismal run of form with an away win at Doncaster Rovers. On-loan David Kitson scored the only goal of the game inside the last ten minutes as Reading closed the gap on the top two by winning their game in hand. Following the recent poor run a finish inside the top two will need either Wolves or Birmingham to slip up in the run in - if the Royals win their other game in hand they would still be a point behind Birmingham. Kitson's goal was his first of the season after a barren spell at Stoke City. Perhaps the goal will be a turning point for both Dave Kitson and the Royals with enough of the season left to make a return to the Premiership possible.

Little Returns But Royals Drop Points
Added by HNA? on 11/03/09
Glen Little started for the Royals after arriving on loan from Portsmouth earlier in the week, but was unable to make an impact as Reading were only able to draw at home to bottom of the table Charlton. The Royals had to come from behind to score two second half goals but were unable to hold on to the lead as the game ended in a 2-2 draw. Despite the result, Reading still managed to stay in touch for the automatic promotion places as Wolves and Birmingham were only able to draw and Cardiff lost. Reading will have to view the game as two points dropped after hitting the woodwork three times in the first half only to go in a goal behind at the break. After half time Shane Long immediately won and then converted a penalty to put Reading level before heading home to make it 2-1. Sloppy defending saw the visitors score a late equaliser much to the joy of Charlton boss and ex-Royal hero Phil Parkinson. Saturday sees Reading face Ipswich town at home in a must win fixture and will almost certainly see the return of Dave Kitson at some point who returns to Reading on-loan from Stoke City.

Royals Score. Twice. And Win Away!
Added by HNA? on 04/03/09
Reading at last found the back of the net, not once but twice, to come from behind with second half strikes from Kevin Doyle and Shane Long. Reading's first three points in five games saw them climb back up into the automatic promotion places at the expense of Birmingham. This vital victory didn't look likely after a first half in which the home side were well on top and went in a goal up. The second half was a different affair with Reading looking good for the win. Doyle returned to scoring ways, heading home from a corner, before Shane Long scored the winner inside the last ten minutes. There were still some nervy moments and Reading were perhaps lucky when the home side had a goal disallowed earlier in the half. Perhaps this will be the turning point with Reading back inside the top two and with a game in hand over third placed Birmingham.

Goal Drought Continues
Added by HNA? on 02/03/09
Reading completed their sixth consecutive league match without scoring a goal after a 0-1 home defeat against relegation candidates Nottingham Forest. Reading's only goal since early January came courtesy of Wolves when they scored an own goal to provide Reading with only their second win since before Christmas. Despite a total lack of form, Reading somehow remain in third place just five points off the top thanks to the similar bad form of top two Wolves and Birmingham. February saw Reading collect just one point despite having three home fixtures. The Royals now face a string of away fixtures with just five home games left for the remainder of the season. The latest defeat saw Forest grab victory after the Royals dominated the opening forty five minutes but failed to take their chances. A poor second half saw the visitors score the only goal and Reading lack ideas as they attempted to pull level.

Reading Win Top Two Battle
Added by HNA? on 28/01/09
Reading moved to two points off the top of the Championship table with a 1-0 home win over leaders Wolves. The Royals wrapped up the points thanks to a Wolves own goal with only a minute on the clock. Under a small amount of pressure the defender somehow managed to send the ball looping over his goalkeeper and under the crossbar after attempting to head to safety. The goal was to be the only one of the game, but it was Reading that probably made the better chances in an entertaining fixture. The game was scrappy at times but played at high tempo. Wolves were reduced to ten men in the final minute but probably should have been reduced to ten men earlier when Ward escaped a second booking. Birmingham also picked up a win to see the top three teams seperated by just four points.

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