After a big clear out of players and the departure of manager Steve Coppell the task of rebuilding Reading has been handed to Watford manager Brandan Rodgers.

Last Season - 4th, losing play off semi finalists Reading failed in their attempts to return to the premiership at the first time of asking when they lost an entertaining and attractive play off semi final to Burnley. In truth the Royals had gone off the boil long before that match, whimpering out of an automatic promotion push that looked likely at Christmas with a run of just four wins from their final seven games. It’s often the form team that does well in the play offs rather than the one that has been knocking around the top six all season and so it was little surprise to see Burnley pass Reading off the field in both games. Even less of a surprise was Steve Coppell’s immediate resignation after the second leg. Coppell is a miserable sod at the best of times but he looked like a tired, broken man by the end of the last campaign and really should have resigned the previous summer after relegation from the Premiership when he threatened to.

Head to Head: The two teams fought out 0-0 draws at both the Madejski Stadium and Loftus Road last season, with hardly a shot fired in anger across the 180 minutes. At Reading in October Gareth Ainsworth took charge of the R’s for the first time following Iain Dowie’s sacking the day before and guided us to a solid, if not spectacular, 0-0 draw - the first time a team had stopped Reading scoring at home last season. At Loftus Road, with the R’s now under the guidance of Paulo Sousa, another 90 minutes of tedium ensued.
Reading 0 QPR 0
QPR 0 Reading 0

Odds:Reading are still well backed it seems with and are generally sixth favourites with the bookies. You can get them at 16/1 for the title with Coral, but others including Paddy Power and Blue Square are only offering twelves.

The Manager: Coppell’s departure after six years in the job left a big hole to fill, and in Watford manager Brendan Rodgers Reading have certainly taken a risk in doing so. Rodgers is well known to Reading after coaching in their academy prior to taking up a similar role at Chelsea and then his first managerial position at Watford. He did an admirable job at Vicarage Road, leading a team limited in both ability and financial muscle away from the drop zone and into mid table with a run of just four defeats from their final 18 matches. Rodgers seems to have the ability to get the best out of players, with Tamas Priskin going from a puzzling enigma to one of the division’s hottest striking properties under his guidance. That ability may well come in handy at Reading who have had a massive cost cutting clear out this summer with no new signings incoming as yet - Rodgers will have to work with what he already has at the Madejski and that is undoubtedly a weaker Reading team than last season. However after learning his trade under the likes of Mourinho and impressing in trying circumstances at watford it seems that Rodgers has a bright future in the game and you should write the Royals off at your peril.
Survival Chances 7/10

Players: Stricken aircraft have been evacuated slower than Reading’s first team squad this summer. Kevin Doyle is the headline departure having joined Wolves for £6.5m but none of that cash has been spent yet - Rodgers continues to pursue Tommy Smith from his old club watford but the player’s price tag when considered against his age is proving a stumbling block and although the player is keen to move Watford are happy to hang onto their prized asset. Last season’s first choice keeper Marcus Hahnemann has been released leaving Adam Federici as the number one, Leroy Lita has taken his ego with him to Middlesbrough, Michael Duberry is now with Wycombe, Graeme Murty is looking for a new club and so it goes on. With Kitson, De La Cruz, Fae, Sonko, Oster, Little and Shorey all leaving last season the Reading side has a very different look to it these days compared to its time in the Premiership. Stephen Hunt and James Harper remain for now, although both are likely to attract attention from elsewhere, and they are likely to be the top men again if they stay. Ryan Bertrand has signed on loan from Chelsea and he impressed on loan at Norwich in this league during the past couple of seasons - Rodgers will know him well from his time at Stamford Bridge. With Kitson and now Doyle gone Reading must rely on Stephen’s brother Noel and youngsters Shane Long and Simon Church for their goals.
Likely Star Player - Stephen Hunt if he stays

Transfers:
In:
Ryan Bertrand from Chelsea - Loan
Out:
Kevin Doyle to Wolverhampton Wanderers - £6.5m
Marcus Hahnemann to Wolverhampton Wanderers - Free
Graeme Murty - Released
Leroy Lita - Released
Alan Bennett - Released
Gary Frewen - Released
Tom Hateley - Released
Sam Sodje - Released
Scott Golbourne to Exeter City - Free
Michael Duberry to Wycombe Wanderers - Free
Oliver Bozanic to Cheltenham Town - Loan
Alex McCarthy to Yeovil Town - Loan
Daniel Spence to Salisbury - Free

Prediction: Reading still have just about enough quality about them to justify a top half finish, and I rate their new manager very highly so they may yet stand a chance of making the six. I just feel that thy have lost a lot of quality from their team, and with the end of the parachute payments in sight cloth will have to continue to be cut accordingly. A constant theme in my predictions and reviews this summer has been goals - Sheffield United may not have a spectacular side but they have invested in Ched Evans who will score goals, cardiff City is an unhappy place to be at the moment but they have Chopra who will score them goals. Do Reading have sufficient attacking ability at their disposal to trouble the best sides in the league? I think not.
Verdict: Mid table pending further arrivals.

Photo: Action Images

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