TTE Roundtable: Predicting Reading’s 2024/25 League One Season

Seven of our writers donned their prediction hats ahead of the new season.

The wait is finally over: a new season is about to begin. So what on earth will happen? How will Reading’s season turn out, which players will steal the headlines and which teams will get promoted out of League One?

A bunch of The Tilehurst End’s finest minds have had a go at predicting all of that, and more, in our annual season-preview roundtable. They are: Harry Chafer (HC), Alex Lovell (AL), Marc Mayo (MM), Simeon Pickup (SP), Neill Rees, aka Bobbins (NR), Ben Thomas (BT) and Ross Webber (RW).

What’s your biggest source of optimism about this season?

HC: There’s obviously the elephant in the room in that the takeover should be going through pretty soon. But, aside from that, it’s the fact that we’re clearly developing into a team with a clear identity - which is something I’ve wanted to see for a long, long time. And, furthermore, from the back end of last season and pre-season, that way of playing can get results.

AL: That we could very possibly have a new owner? I couldn’t possibly know what that will bring in terms of change, good or bad, to the club in the short or longer term. If it happens. Outside of things we can’t control, the team spirit within the men’s set-up is unlike anything I’ve seen in many years. They genuinely seem together for the fight.

MM: At some point in the next few weeks or months (but not years..!) Dai Yongge will be history. Whether it’s Rob Couhig or whoever, a new owner and the guaranteed existence of Reading Football Club - without fear or further EFL peril - is something that cannot be taken for granted. We’re almost there…

Photo by Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images

SP: That this club is now so unified, hardened and stubborn from the trials and tribulations that it can now take anything thrown at it. We went through an absolute nightmare of a season last time out, but have come out all the more resilient and determined for it - whether in the team, behind the scenes or in the fanbase.

NR: That things can’t be any worse off the pitch than last season. Hopefully our sorry saga is coming to an end and we can all breathe again. That’s the hope anyway!

BT: I think the fact I’m actually looking forward to the season is the biggest source of optimism for me. I want to see this team play, develop and progress. That and the fact it can’t be any worse than last season… can it?!

RW: The squad weathered a storm together last year and seem all the closer because of it. On top of that, Selles’ system appears to have been well “downloaded” by the majority of the squad now and things have been humming on the field for the Royals since November 2023.

What’s your biggest worry?

HC: It feels very, very weird to say but I’m not really worried about that much. The fact we’re still yet to see a new signing is slightly concerning I suppose. As excited and as eager as I am to see this young, raw team continue to grow, it’s always nice to add a bit of depth.

AL: Just the one? I’d struggle to limit this to just the 10. Sim, you’re a cruel taskmaster. Number one: the takeover doesn’t happen. Bills don’t get paid. We cease to exist. That’s pretty big.

I also think, again in terms of what we can control, injuries. We had a real run of good fortune mostly last season with the lack of injuries, aside from Wing and Smith at the start and occasionally Yiadom. What happens if players start to drop like flies? How do we cope? Can the physios pull another miracle out of the bag?

Outside of this, in no particular order: the Women’s team existence, the academy getting binned off, Selles thinking ‘sod this’, what happens to Mark Bowen, clubs that aren’t basket cases picking off our best players, new owners asset-stripping us or the toll of the ownership (new or old) finally taking its toll on the playing staff and morale drops.

Photo by Ben Hoskins - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

MM: That last season’s strong second half cannot be sustained and we start to drift if we make a poor start, with no signings to inject some impetus. The lack of reinforcements means there is extra vulnerability if things don’t click and we saw in Paul Ince’s second year that the same squad can often struggle to rally itself for consecutive survival scraps if they thought they were finally moving onto better things.

SP: That we’re reliant on some key players and the whole system will unravel if we lose them to freak injury. Remove Amadou Mbengue, Lewis Wing or Sam Smith from this side and it’s much weaker - even when the takeover is done, finding adequate backups for those players is easier said than done.

NR: I guess it’s that the new owners kill off the academy, of which we’re all so very proud. It would be understandable in some lights, but it’s our jewel in the crown. It would be a bitter pill to swallow.

BT: That the ownership issue drags on any longer, quite honestly.

RW: Regardless of tactical cleverness and exciting youngsters coming through, Reading’s season could be punctured by a lack of reliable full-backs or an injury to a key player.

What do you make of Ruben Selles and the job he’s done so far?

HC: Well, 99% of people in his situation would’ve walked out in about October last year. For him to a) stick around under the conditions he was put in and b) continue to develop and grow this team into one that makes us excited to watch our club again is nothing short of incredible. He’s a saint.

AL: I love him. He really grew into the role over the course of the last year. We would be a far worse and unhappier team without him. Shameless plug, but I said it all here.

MM: I’m very happy with how he conducts himself off the pitch and you’d hope his tactical plans can develop a little bit this campaign after a full pre-season. There are still questions to answer over how he can adapt to the opposition and turn the tide mid-game, particularly away from home, but no doubts from me as we get underway.

SP: He’s done an excellent job, not only keeping Reading up last season in the face of everything thrown at him, but doing so fairly comfortably in the end. And over pre-season it’s appeared that Reading are developing tactically too, so I can’t wait to see what he can get out of this side in 2024/25.

NR: After a very tricky start when he was always going to make mistakes, especially in the atmosphere he had to work in, then with all things considered he’s doing a stellar job. We’re now playing very attractive football and with confidence too.

BT: Look, I was very clear I wanted him gone pre-Christmas. However, in hindsight, he was never the problem. The biggest compliment I can pay him is that he never makes excuses when other managers could. The fact he’s chosen to stay is a testament to his character and desire to do well with this team.

RW: Ruben Selles is one of the best managers in the division. He ticks boxes in man management, tactical vision and ability to coach a playing style into a squad. We are exceptionally lucky to have him in League One and given he drew national attention last season, we may struggle to keep him if Reading continue to play as they did between November 2023 and May 2024.

Who will be the Royals’ top individual performer this season?

HC: It’s hard not to look past Lewis Wing again really - he’s genuinely one of the best players in this division. Other than him, probably Sam Smith. If we can get a full season out of him there’s no reason why he can’t be eyeing up 20+ goals in the league.

AL: It’s hard to look past Lewis Wing really, isn’t it? This year though it’s not just because he’s an absolute baller on the pitch, but I think his leadership is crucial to this side - especially with Yiadom becoming more injury-prone. Wing’s going to do an ACL now isn’t he?

MM: Tyler Bindon will show he’s the real deal. He’s just 19 and has played almost half a century of pro games at centre-back in a rough league. Another year developing like the last and he’ll be flying.

SP: Amadou Mbengue shocked me by how well he took to being Reading’s senior centre-back last season, but I’m so here for it. His tenacity and mobility at the back are vital for the Royals playing a high line, not to mention other players around him looking to get forward.

NR: If last season is anything to go by, probably Lewis Wing again. He’s our talisman and everything good flows through him.

BT: Amadou Mbengue. No doubt in my mind.

RW: Femi Azeez. I have a sneaking suspicion he may win League One player of the season if he can hit 10+ goals and assists.

Which young player will break through?

HC: I’m really, really excited to see Ben Elliott nail down a starting spot this season. Towards the end of last season he really started to find his feet alongside Harvey Knibbs and Wing in midfield, and he’s impressed in preseason too. We’ve got a seriously talented player on our hands with him.

AL: Mamadi Camara. He showed sparks of promise in the cameos he made at the very end of last season and has appeared very lively on both flanks in pre-season. His ability to solve the left-winger problem (sorry, Big Kelv is doing a decent job but is a square peg in a round hole) will give this team an extra dimension and threat in attack.

MM: The dearth of left-wing options means Mamadi Camara will get a serious chance to impress and I think he’s as good a shout as any to step up. Ditto Jayden Wareham, he’ll get more chances up top and should be sharper in front of goal.

Photo by Kieran Cleeves/PA Images via Getty Images

SP: Annoyingly he didn’t make an appearance in pre-season, but I was impressed by what I saw of John Clarke at the end of last season for the under-21s. He’s a tough, reliable and versatile left-footer who could well solve Reading’s left-back problem. I love his aerial ability too.

NR: It looks like it’ll be Abraham Kanu, although he’ll be down the pecking order due to Tyler Bindon returning. It certainly looks like he’ll get the nod over Harlee Dean. Notable mention for Andre Garcia, however. If managed correctly he could certainly play a part.

BT: This is Charlie Savage season. He’s still got a huge amount to give and I sincerely hope he does this year. Great attitude on him too and a likeable lad.

RW: Adrian Akande. Reading are desperately in need of wide depth, and any injury spell for Azeez or Ehibhatiomhan could lead to a youngster getting a consistent month in the team to build up confidence.

Give us one outlandish prediction for this season

HC: I think we’ll win the Papa John’s Pizza Trophy. If that’s not outlandish enough, then we’ll be top at Christmas.

AL: We won’t get a points deduction? No, you’re right, that’s too mad. How about we might actually sign a player for cash money in January? No, no, that’s outer-outlandish still. Here it is: Sim will dazzle in a cameo appearance on Welcome to Wrexham.

MM: Reading will beat Stockport 3-1 in the EFL Trophy final with Femi Azeez scoring a brace either side of a Sam Smith penalty.

SP: Title favourites Birmingham City won’t go up automatically. As impressive as their spending has been, and has highly rated as their new manager may be, fitting all those new pieces together into a consistent side is easier said than done. They’ll get top six, but widespread assumptions of a romping season will be wide of the mark.

NR: We’ll win more games than we’ll lose! Guaranteed.

BT: Knibbs will score more goals than Wing.

RW: Michael Craig wins Reading POTS. From right-back.

Who’s getting promoted and relegated?

HC: Going up it’s hard to look past Birmingham City. To be joined by Bolton Wanderers and Lincoln City. To go down: Cheltenham Town, Mansfield Town, Crawley Town and Burton Albion.

AL: Promoted? Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers and ermmmm probably Wrexham? I think they still have some serious transfer business to complete this summer.

Relegated? Cambridge United, Shrewbury Town, Crawley Town and, controversially, I think Wycombe Wanderers might be in danger. But frankly, predicting any of these is just asking for trouble! I wouldn’t be surprised if I got none of them right and saw Reading in serious trouble.

MM: Up - Huddersfield Town, Peterborough United and Rotherham United will beat Leyton Orient in the play-off final after the Os beat Birmingham City in a huge semi-final shock. Down - Bristol Rovers, Crawley Town, Cambridge United, Burton Albion.

Photo by George Wood/Getty Images

SP: Bolton Wanderers will win the league - they put in the best performance against us last season (in that 5-2) and I have a soft spot for them given their fans supported the initial tennis ball protest in the reverse fixture. They’ll be joined by Blackpool and Rotherham United.

Down the other end, let’s go with Crawley Town, Stevenage, Shrewsbury Town and Mansfield Town.

NR: Promoted - Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, Wigan Athletic. Relegated - Crawley Town, Shrewsbury Town, Mansfield Town, Cambridge United.

BT: Promoted - Birmingham City, Rotherham United and probably Bolton Wanderers. Relegated - Crawley Town, Shrewsbury Town, Mansfield Town and Cambridge United.

RW: Promoted - Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers and Reading. Relegated - Stevenage, Crawley Town, Shrewsbury Town and Mansfield Town.

How will Reading’s season play out and where will we finish?

HC: I’ve got this feeling that we’re going to come out of the traps really, really well. Without stating the obvious, it all depends on if we can keep core players fit and if the young players can handle the heat of non-stop competitive football. I think we’ll make a really strong start but end the season just outside the playoffs in seventh.

AL: I think we will finish around ninth in the league. We will do nothing noteworthy in the cups, except one hefty win in the early stages of the EFL Trophy. We will have a strong start, but around November/December fatigue and injuries will catch up with us and other teams integrating new players will start to click into gear, so we will have a bit of a wobble.

If the new ownership is there, we will bring in a couple of loan signings to boost the team towards the end of January, have a stronger February/March and get ourselves in playoff contention before fizzling out because not even Knibbs can run for 60 games a season. But it won’t stop him from trying.

Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images

MM: Because we’re so familiar as a team, we’ll start well with a couple of upsets and find ourselves in and around the play-offs after nine or 10 games. Other teams will start to gel and we could fade towards Christmas and January will be key in terms of finally reinforcing the squad and/or avoiding key player sales. I have honestly no idea what happens then but I’ll be conservative. 11th.

SP: I’m confident that Reading will have a good season - I’ve seen enough to conclude that we’ll be too strong for most sides in this division and rack up a decent number of wins. I’m less confident we’ll be consistent enough for a really strong season though, given our youth and lack of depth. We’ll do well for most of the season, bar some annoying blips, finish in the top six and not go up.

NR: I think we’ll be around the top 10, maybe higher. Squad depth might do for us in the long run, but I’d be very happy to end up in the top half. I certainly can’t see us languishing in the lower reaches again.

BT: I’d snap your hand off for a play-off place. I just think there is a lot of potential in this team, there’s a cohesiveness that we’ve not seen for many a year and plenty of people have already written us off. All of these things add up to a healthy dose of momentum and quiet confidence that could see us do well. I’d be delighted with anything above 12th but think we’ll finish around mid table.

RW: Unless the full-back issue is too much to overcome, I’m expecting a middling start given the tough opposition, before the team really kicks on in the autumn/winter months. Squad depth will likely stop the Royals troubling the automatic spots, but play-offs are by no means out of the question given Reading’s 2024 form.