Off the back of another draw, the Royals have bolstered their squad with the signing of Leam Richardson. A new manager was imminent for the Royals and we are all excited to see how he sets up and what he can do with the talented players we have got.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, it’s FA Cup weekend! The past few years in the FA Cup haven’t been the best for the Royals, losing to non-league side Eastleigh and then taking Harborough Town to extra time before being knocked out by Burnley. Hopefully there
will be a little more joy in this round but the opponents are on some high-flying form at the moment.
Carlisle United haven’t lost in their last five games and currently find themselves third in the National League. Regan Linney is on 11 goals this season already and is looking to be the danger man for Mark Hughes’ side.
Carlisle are looking to find some motivation to get promoted this year back into the Football League and beating Reading would take them that one step further.
The head-to-head is in Reading’s favour with the Royals picking up six wins from 12 games. A 5-1 win and a 3-1 win were the results in the 2023/24 League One season and the Royals are looking to replicate that this Saturday.
In this preview I will talk about Richardson and how he may be a good fit for the Royals, I will mention players who have played for both and I will give my predictions.
What? FA Cup round one
Season? 2025/26
Who? Carlisle United
Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium
When? Saturday November 1
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Mark Hughes
Leam Richardson
I just want to start this by thanking Noel Hunt. Although the relationship ended sourly with some of the fans, he came in and took the job that nobody in the world was going to take. He helped us to be one game off the playoffs last season and, although he had a shaky time this season, he will always be a Reading legend.
Richardson has previously managed at three clubs: Accrington Stanley (who the hell are they?), Wigan Athletic and Rotherham United.
He managed 1.14 points a game at Accrington Stanley with 10 wins, 11 draws and 15 losses. This was his first managerial appearance before then signing for Wigan seven years later.
With the Latics he managed 116 games, winning 52, drawing 25 and losing 39. In this time he won League One, therefore getting Wigan promoted to the Championship. He won manager of the year that year also.
His time at Rotherham United isn’t one to be proud of though. From 24 games managed: two wins, four draws and 18 losses, an average of 0.42 points per game. This is what some people are focusing on, slating the higher-ups of the club for appointing him.
Richardson has completed this league though. He’s won it before. Who says he can’t do it again?
His preferred formation is a 4-2-3-1, which may come at an advantage for players like Kamari Doyle and Charlie Savage, but would once again leave Lewis Wing on more defensive duties than us fans think he should be doing.
Everything is up in the air with a new manager. We don’t know what will happen until it happens. He is the one who has been appointed and he is the one we need to trust will get the job done.
Welcome to the Royals!
Players who have played for both
Here are four players who have appeared for both Reading and Carlisle:
Oliver Norwood played 92 games for the Royals and managed five goals and 15 assists.
He had six games for Carlisle, managing neither a goal nor an assist. He is currently holding down the midfield at Stockport County, who most recently beat Port Vale 3-0 in League One.
Glen Murray is a name I don’t think I’ve mentioned in any of my previews so far. He had 18 games for the Royals in 2014, scoring eight goals and getting one assist.
He played 27 games for the Blues, scoring three and assisting one.
Ian Harte is one of the best players to have ever played for Reading, in my opinion. The Irishman played 88 games for the Royals, scoring 15 goals and getting 12 assists.
Reading signed him from Carlisle, where he played 52 times, scoring 19 goals and getting five assists.
Finally, Jack Marriott. Marriott has played seven games for the Royals so far and has five goals and one assist. Sadly he is now injured but hopefully not for too long as we desperately need him back.
He played four times for Carlisle in 2014, managing no goal contributions.
My lineup
There is an under-21 game three hours before kickoff so it is likely Reading will put out a stronger lineup than most expect.
Jack Stevens will be in goal. Joel Pereira doesn’t look like he is back yet and this could be a game for Stevens to prove why we signed him.
The back four will be Andy Yiadom, Finley Burns, Derrick Williams and John Ryan.
The midfield five will include Paddy Lane, Wing, Savage, Doyle and Daniel Kyerewaa.
Up front I think will be Basil Tuma.
Score prediction: 3-1 Reading!
Good luck to those going to the game. Make sure you cheer on the new manager and the players!
Come on you Royals!
