Can the youngsters progress in the EFL Trophy in this rearranged match, 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 well established for the Royals to play a rotated, young side for the cup, and I expect no different this time.
Since the last preview I wrote on this game, Cheltenham have found a little bit of form again, moving from 20th place to 16th place in League Two. This will be their final match in the group stage of this competition, whereas Reading still have Newport County to play at home.
In this preview I will provide further development of how important our youth academy is, current injured players and how it may affect how we line up in the game, and my predicted team.
What? Bristol Street Motors Trophy, matchday two
Season? 2024/25
Who? Cheltenham Town
Where? Whaddon Road
When? Tuesday November 5
Time? 19:00
Opposition manager? Michael Flynn
Our Category 1 academy is still under threat due to the non-existent owners. However, it has produced some quality players over the past few years and it needs to stay.
In the PL2 the Royals currently sit in 16th place and are finding it difficult to cope with the cup/league balance due to the added fixtures of European football this season.
However, as shown against Ajax, we can compete with the best of the best.
Players such as Tyler Sackey, Jayden Wareham and Andre Garcia have all proven they are quality players, whether it be in that game against Ajax or in spells in the first team.
We have a chance to cause a big upset in Europe this season, and these players can have first-team experience this week in the cup.
As I will go on to say, I expect many changes and many of these youth players to be involved in the match on Tuesday, and I feel they will shine.
The Royals have now also played Monaco under-21s and were humbled 4-1. However, their league form has picked up, with the young Royals finding themselves now in 16th place. Our stand-out player recently has been Jeremiah Okine-Peters, who has been nominated for player of the month after his four goals against Tottenham Hotspur.
Reading currently have quite a few players out injured, leading to the extremely thin squad the Royals currently have.
Most recently Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan has pulled up with a hip injury, leaving him out for three months. This is a big worry as he is influential in how the Royals play when running down that left-hand side.
Sam Smith is another to have been injured recently, but could be back for the Stevenage game on Saturday.
Kelvin Abrefa, Andy Yiadom and Jeriel Dorsett are also out injured. Abrefa and Dorsett are looking likely to return soon but we are still unsure on a specific date for each of them.
Yiadom is still going to be out until minimum the start of the New Year. The Royals are struggling in the full-back area and having him back would be great.
As I have already said, I am expecting quite a few changes from the league starting XI for this match, similar to the FA Cup at the weekend.
Starting with the goalkeeper, with David Button playing Saturday’s cup game, I expect Coniah Boyce-Clarke to start this one.
The defence performed well against Fleetwood Town at the weekend so the only change I will make would be to rest goalscorer Tyler Bindon and bring in Harlee Dean. This would mean the defence would line up as Ashqar Ahmed, Louie Holzman, Dean and Tivonge Rushesha.
My ideal midfield three for this game would be Shay Spencer, Michael Craig and Harvey Knibbs. I feel this would give good defensive balance as well as Knibbs being able to get forward like he does. I hope he can be back to his best as he has struggled to make an impact recently.
My ideal front three would be Chem Campbell, Jayden Wareham and Jeremiah Okine-Peters. The under-21s don’t have a game until Friday so I think it would be nice to see Okine-Peters getting some first-team football under his belt.
Score prediction: 4-1 Royals
Make sure to fill the stadium and support the lads, just as we have done in the season so far.
Come on you Royals!
