Dixey reflects on the collapse of both Rob Couhig’s takeover and Reading’s 1-0 lead at Rotherham United. I was hoping that a couple of weeks of sun, sand and sangria would be the ideal way to relax and forget about the trials and tribulations of Reading FC, but as we all know, supporting this club is stressful, and at times seriously hard work. Constant checking of Twitter/X, the club website and WhatsApp messages meant I was somewhat distracted from the sights of Malaga and Seville, and I thank my mobile network provider for including European data roaming within my monthly plan, otherwise I ..read more

Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images Can the Royals’ youngsters progress in the EFL Trophy or will it be a victory for the Robins? Tuesday night takes the Royals to Cheltenham Town in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. Due to a lack of squad depth, it has been established for the Royals to play a rotated, young side for the cup, and I expect no different this time. Cheltenham come into the fixture with a lot to prove after the weekend’s loss against Barrow and a lot to prove in general as they have been very disappointing this season, currently finding themselves in 20th place in League Two. In t ..read more

Despite having a first-half lead, the Royals never really got going performance-wise at Rotherham. Another away day, another loss. In our last three away games, we’ve conceded 10 goals and scored three. And by the way, two of those three were from set-pieces. After the match, as the players slowly wandered towards the away end, either applauding or gazing absent-mindedly towards the 700 or so Reading fans present, the atmosphere seemed far more solemn than usual. Strangely emotional, almost. Despite breaking our winning drought on the road in November last year, the performances and results n ..read more

PA Images via Getty Images Harry rounds up the reaction of the Loyal Royals after a poor second half cost Reading dearly. I don’t think I’ve been frustrated by a game as much as I was after the full-time whistle on Saturday. We were in a prime position at half-time to kick on and get our third win in a row, but let ourselves down with a really frustrating second-half performance. The two goals were really poor defensively, particularly the second, and then a brain fade from Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan killed us, and any hope of clawing our way back into the game. We know it’s going to be tough at tim ..read more

Pete’s report on a game which started off well for the Royals, but unravelled at the end of the first half and only got worse in the second. An early goal from Reading striker Sumayah Zayadi wasn’t enough today for the Royals, who came undone after conceding two late first-half goals - both in time added on. They were followed by two more after the break, with visitors AFC Porchester finishing 4-1 winners at Arbour Park. Although the Royals have a squad of 23 registered players, with injuries and unavailability, Reading manager Pedro Bruno was still only able to include four (out of an allowe ..read more

Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images The Royals put in an underwhelming away performance at Rotherham, losing 2-1 and going down to 10 men. The Royals travelled to Yorkshire to take on Rotherham United on Saturday but it was the home side who would go on to take the points. Lewis Wing gave Reading the lead but Rotherham got back into the game shortly after half-time through Sam Nombe. Hakeem Odoffin scored the winner to give the hosts all three points. Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan was sent off for a second yellow after getting involved in an altercation. Manager Ruben Selles was disappointed with som ..read more

Bobbins analyses a game which Reading led, but, due to a lack of robustness in the second half, ended up as another away defeat. Failure There are a few situations around the club which have the label of “when will it ever end?” and our chronic form away from home is one of them. Even when we goal a goal ahead there is no confidence that it’ll stay that way, even if that goal is another specialist finish from Lewis Wing. There is a soft underbelly that’s so frustrating when we play away from the SCL. At home we’re a different beast entirely, but on the road there’s a mental frailty that is re ..read more

Lewis Wing’s first-half free-kick wasn’t enough even for a point as Reading extended their winless away run. So Reading’s wait for a league away win continues. The Royals managed four of those last season, have picked up just the one point on the road this season, and a frustrating 2-1 loss at Rotherham United this afternoon meant the record didn’t improve. We’ll get there eventually - hopefully not having to wait until late November again… Today though, Reading didn’t look much like getting that win. Though the Royals led the contest for a time, thanks to a typically sumptuous direct free-ki ..read more

Reading put in a resolute if tepid first-half display, before a bad 20 minutes botched their chance to win three in a row. David Button: 6 Made some good saves today including one important one over the bar towards the end of the first half. That was born out by him being in the positive column for goals prevented. Not hugely to blame for either goal scored, given that the first was an excellent cross into a tricky spot, and the second saw his defence leave him almost isolated against three men ready to head it in at the back post. Several Reading players argued loudly that Button had been fo ..read more

Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images Reading’s final league game before the international break sees them travel north to play Rotherham United. Join us as we take a look at the opposition. Form Rotherham United were relegated from the Championship last season, finishing bottom of the league, 18 points behind Huddersfield Town who finished one place above them. Rotherham regularly yo-yo between the Championship and League One, but last season did mark their second straight campaign in the second tier. They have found their return to League One tough so far, currently sitting in 17th p ..read more