Football Season Guide

Despite off the field problems, Reading had a remarkable start last season. Under little-known Serbian Vejko Paunovic they were seven points clear at the top in late October. However, with a thin squad the Royals couldn’t maintain their form and heartbreakingly finished just outside the play-off spots. No new additions have been made to the squad so far as the club is operating under a transfer embargo. The situation remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether the Royals will be able to sign anyone before the summer transfer window closes at the end of August. Fortunately, there has been so far only two significant departures. Exciting young forward Olise (who made 46 appearances last season) has gone to Crystal Palace while left-back Richards has been snapped up by German giants Bayern Munich. Reading have also been hit by an injury to important attacking player Yakou Meite. The Ivorian, who hit 12 goals in 25 appearances last season, is set to be out for several months with a serious knee problem. Reading still have a core group of talented players but the problem is that at the moment they still don’t have a big enough squad to sustain a serious challenge for a top six place. This could change in the coming days / weeks depending on if their transfer embargo is lifted.