It’s the final day and the final preview of the season, and a final chance for the Royals to get a win in 2025/26.
Reading come into this match after drawing with Rotherham United in the previous game. Fans were gunning for the head of Leam Richardson but he is still here and hopefully we can end the season with a win. The Royals currently have 14 players out injured, including star striker Jack Marriott and workhorse Charlie Savage, who were mainstays in the first team.
Blackpool are on a three-game
winning streak, beating Peterborough United, Wycombe Wanderers and most recently Leyton Orient. Top goalscorer Ashley Fletcher is back from a minor injury and is likely to start at the SCL.
I’m hoping players who are going to be here next season get starts in this one. Those like Will Keane and Ryan Nyambe are only on loan and are very unlikely to be here again next season, so people like Sean Patton and Kelvin Abrefa need to start, in my opinion.
The head-to-head between the sides is in Reading’s favour with 21 Royals wins, 12 draws and 18 Blackpool victories.
In this preview I will give my player of the season, say a small thank you to those reading and The Tilehurst End themselves and I will give my predictions for the final game of 2025/26.
What? League One matchday 46
Season? 2025/26
Who? Blackpool
Where? Select Car Leasing stadium
When? Saturday May 2
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Ian Evatt
Player of the season
Last time out I provided four players that I think have been our best performers this term. So here is my final say.
In third place for it’s Kamari Doyle. He has had a massive impact, not only with goal contributions, but also his actions off the ball are what impress me the most. Without him in the team we play completely differently – less attacking.
In second is Jack Marriott. I can’t believe I forgot to mention him last time out. 16 goals and three assists, he has been quality. He has been injured for far too long; with him we would’ve been challenging a little bit more.
In first place: captain fantastic Lewis Wing. He’s provided 11 goals and 11 assists and has been incredible. Without him we are nothing.
At the start of the season I slated him a little bit, saying we are better without him in the side, but once again he proved me wrong. Congratulations to Wing for winning my player of the season.
However, vote Tivonge Rushesha.
Thank you
I just want to take a minute to thank those who read these previews. It has been a season of ups and downs: starting off, early in the season, we were concerned about relegation due to poor form.
Then we saw a change of manager, had a bounce and ended up in a playoff charge. Then we went to… well, I’m not going to say that but it now comes to the final game.
46 league previews, not many cup ones this year but hopefully we can have more of a charge next season in what will one of the most difficult League One campaigns of all time.
Thank you to Sim and The Tilehurst End for allowing me to continue writing the previews and I hope everyone has a good summer!
My lineup
I’m going for a full rotation.
Tom Norcott in goal.
Abrefa, Paudie O’Connor, Michael Stickland and Jeriel Dorsett as the defence.
Liam Fraser, Luke Howard and Rushesha as the midfield.
Emmanuel Osho, Patton and Daniel Kyerewaa as the attack.
Score prediction: 2-0 Royals!
Good luck to those going to the final game of the season.
Come on you Royals!
