When : Thursday November 6 2025, 8pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
Leam’s first real test arrives on a ****** Thursday (yay! thanks for that - though I suppose it means we can all go and watch Bracknell or Maidenhead or Slough or Binfield on Saturday). Visiting for the privilege of the telly visual box are Stevenage and if that doesn't get the ratings then nothing will.
Stevenage are 4th in the division and have packed 8 wins into their 12 league games so far so this is going to be a real test for Reading and even more than if Noel was still at the helm though we can hope that the spacehopper is ready to hop having been fully inflated with some new manager bounce that leaves the 'boro unsure quite what to expect from the new recipe biscuitmen.
First the good news, Stevenage lost their last away game 1-0 at Lincoln but the bad news is that that is their only defeat in the last 7 league games and have clocked up away wins at Blackpool and Orient, ahome win over Luton and got a good point against Bradford so they strike me as being well organised and difficult opposition possibly enjoying a journey to the highest point in the club’s existence.
Both teams had a horrendous FA Cup experience on Saturday, both being beaten at home by clubs from lower divisions so will be wanting a positive reaction, however Stevenage may be better placed for that as they do not have the appalling injury problems that seem be starting to follow Reading about.
The threat is the Stevenage midfield with 9 goals amongst them so far and a certain Chem Campbell putting it about a bit more consistently than he did last season when he was loaned to RG2. On top of that striker Jamie Reid has bought a new pair of shooting boots and has notched 5 so far so he is well on the way to beating the 8 goal tally he got from the entirety of last season.
Injuries are reaching ridiculous proportions now with virtually every key player either knackered or their position compromised by injuries to those around them. We could be looking at the following casualties: Pereira, Des, Williams, Doyle, Lane, Fraser, Marriott, Wing, Ritchie, Elliott & Burns and it possibly won’t be clarified further until the team sheet appears at 7pm on Thursday.
Leam certainly has his work cut out and rapidly needs to work out the best strategy to get the players together as one and playing for each other rather than getting 11 players seemingly doing their own thing and making rather unprofessional decisions as a game unfolds. One thing is for certain and that is there needs to be some strong recruitment into the first team squad by the end of January.
Referee
Ben “call me David” Speedie
Previously
18 Apr 25 > Reading 0-1 Lincoln City
27 Apr 24 > Reading 3-2 Blackpool
16 Mar 24 > Reading 4-0 Cambridge United
15 Aug 23 > Reading 1-0 Cheltenham
Historically
Still fairly new opposition for Reading, all the games with Stevenage have been 21st century affairs and thankfully, to date, both of Stevenage's wins have been in cup competitions played at the Mad Stad/SCL rather than in the important league games. However two seasons ago Reading did the league double over Stevenage while last season both league games ended as 1-1 draws so let's hope Reading can apply some brakes and put that run into reverse before damage starts being done.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and travel to the game
- Live on that there telly visual thing (SKY/NOW App)
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use a RoyalsTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
