Cheltenham Town vs Reading: Match Preview
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 this preview I will mention the players who are on international duty, further development of how important our youth academy is, my predicted lineup and small parts on what it is like to be a writer about Reading FC during the international break.
What? Bristol Street Motors Trophy, match two
Season? 2024/25
Who? Cheltenham Town
Where? Whaddon Road
When? Tuesday October 8
Time? 19:00
Opposition manager? Michael Flynn
Reading players on international duty
21-year-old Charlie Savage has been called up once again for Wales under-21s. The Reading number eight has made two appearances for the Welsh national team.
His fixtures start off with a home match against Czechia under-21s on Friday October 11. They then travel to Slovakia to play against their under-21s.
The 19-year-old winger Basil Tuma has been called up to the Maltese under-21 side. He’s appeared once for the Maltese under-21 side and once for their under-19s.
Their fixtures include two away trips. This starts off with a game against the Hungary under-21 side on Thursday October 10 and then a second away trip to Spain under-21s on Tuesday October 15.
Tyler Bindon has been called up to represent the New Zealand first team for this international break. The defender has made 10 appearances for the New Zealand side and has recently participated for them in the Olympics.
His first fixture is a home game against Tahiti on Friday October 11, while the second is at home to Malaysia on Monday October 14.
Coniah Boyce-Clarke has been called up once again for the Jamaican national team. Boyce-Clarke has made one appearance for the Jamaican national team, starting against Saint Kitts and Nevis in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Friday October 11 sees Jamaica travel to Nicaragua and then it’s followed by a home fixture against Honduras on Tuesday October 15.
Youth academy
Our Category 1 academy is still under threat due to the non-existent owners and the lack of progress on the takeover front. But our youth academy has produced some quality players over the past few years and it needs to stay.
In PL2 the Royals currently sit in 23rd place and are finding it difficult to cope with the cup/league balance due to the added fixtures of European football this season.
But, 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 was in that match 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.
My lineup
As I have already said, I am expecting quite a few changes for the match.
Starting with the goalkeeper, I expect Matt Rowley to start.
Due to the international break we are without Bindon in defence, so I expect the back line to be Kelvin Abrefa, Harlee Dean, Louie Holzman and Andre Garcia. A mix of youth and experience for the defence.
As for the midfield three, I expect Harvey Knibbs will start to have some experience in the attack, alongside Shay Spencer and Tivonge Rushesha.
My ideal front three would be Tyler Sackey, Adrian Akande and Jayden Wareham.
Writers during the international break
I thought I would add a little personal writing in the preview due to the upcoming international break. It’s difficult for myself and others who have such a passion about writing to then have nothing to cover for two weeks.
So, what do we do?
The obvious would be to watch as much football as possible, mainly to keep an eye out on those who represent our clubs to keep a watch out for injuries and performances to note on during the next article. But also to watch our country and how they perform during the break, moaning and swearing at the TV when Harry Kane inevitably misses a sitter.
Watching former players is also a nice thing to do - such as Michael Olise for France - and just wondering what it would be like if they were still here.
It even gets to a stage for myself that I watch the Chinese league and the MLS just to get some kind of football back into the week, just laughing at the fall of players like Jesse Lingard.
There are some real benefits to the break though. It allows me to take my time in writing the next article, adding more and more detail as the match gets closer.
I love writing: it’s my passion as it allows me to have a connection with people that I have never met, whether people agree with what I say or not. It sparks conversation and I love that.
I just want to thank those who do read these previews. Tell your friends, Reading fans or not. I am loving the feedback I do get and I am trying to implement it into my writing. I hope you all enjoy it.
Score prediction 4-1 Royals!
Come on you Royals!