A late win in midweek from another new goalscorer has given the Royals a little bit more hope. Sean Patton grabbed a late winner for Reading against MK Dons in what was a dominating performance (possession
wise), but Reading didn’t offer much in terms of, well, anything. It was a bit of a weird performance.
Exeter City managed a shock 1-0 win against Lincoln City in the 94th minute last Saturday. It was substitute Kevin McDonald that got the goal. After four losses from four games, it was about time Exeter got some luck on their side.
The head-to-head currently weighs in Reading’s favour, 4-1-1, with the biggest result being a whopping 9-0 victory for the Royals in the Vertu Trophy two years ago.
In this preview I will do a small analysis of the game in midweek, give a quick injury update and provide my predictions.
What? League One matchday 11
Season? 2025/26
Who? Exeter City
Where? St James Park
When? Saturday October 11
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Gary Caldwell
The MK Dons game
The game against MK Dons was a very weird one. The Royals dominated with 71% possession and 14 shots to the Dons’ 29% and two shots; it seemed like Reading always had the ball but then did nothing with it.
The match was an eye-opener for MK Dons as they barely touched the ball. The two attacks they did have ended up going straight into Jack Stevens’ hands, and it was a nothing game for a team who look exciting in League Two.
The standout player for me was John Ryan. He seems to be the only person in the club who can put in a decent cross and, although he had little to do defensively, he was solid. Ryan was always the start of our attacks and took set-pieces on the left-hand side very well. He won 15 of his 21 duels and was the most-fouled player on the pitch (four).
That position is up for grabs in my opinion with Jeriel Dorsett better as a centre-back and Matty Jacob not performing how he should be. I think Ryan should start in the upcoming games.
Another standout for me and a few others that I have seen on Twitter is Shay Spencer. He plays the defensive-midfield position really well, allowing the players around him to be the ones who get forward.
He doesn’t care that he’s not in the attack, he just mops up defensively and then plays a ball for others to then start moves. I think he would be the ideal player to sit next to Lewis Wing as it would allow Wing to creep up the field without having to worry about the defensive duties as much as we are currently relying on him to.
Finally, you know the attack wasn’t on form when our only two major chances came from our right-back. That’s right, Andy Yiadom is back!
After a very long time out injured, captain fantastic is back on the field and he looks rejuvenated. He only played 45 minutes due to just coming back from injury, but he was easily the best player on the pitch in that first half.
He looked really promising and I am really excited to see him playing again.
Injury update
Reading do still have a few players out injured but there are a few coming back this week.
As seen against MK Dons, Yiadom is back on the pitch, but it looks like he still isn’t fully fit, due to him only playing 45 minutes midweek.
Paudie O’Connor has been thrown into the mix to potentially feature for the first time since he signed for the club as he is back training with the first team and has been for a week or so.
Andre Garcia is still unavailable for two to three weeks and it is a similar situation with Derrick Williams.
Mamadi Camara didn’t go on international duty with Guinea-Bissau, but there hasn’t been anything to say he is still injured so I am unsure on him.
Liam Fraser has also been unavailable due to injury, while Basil Tuma and Mark O’Mahony are now on international duty.
My lineup
Joel Pereira will start in goal.
I suspect Yiadom and O’Connor will get minutes off the bench. The starting back four will be Ashqar Ahmed, Finley Burns, Dorsett and Ryan.
The midfield three should be Spencer, Wing and Kamari Doyle, but I assume Charlie Savage will be there instead of Spencer.
The attack will be the usual three of Paddy Lane, Jack Marriott and Daniel Kyerewaa. Kyerewaa has been a great addition and I expect him to grab a goal involvement in this one.
Score prediction: 2-1 Royals!
Good luck to the fans making the trip down during the international break!
Come on you Royals!
