There are a few recognizable names on the list, many of whom have spent considerable time with the EFL during their careers.
That’s no surprise as their pre-season was heavily disrupted by off-field problems, with the Royals unable to sign any signings until July and only signing with Ruben Selles in the same move.
In theory, it shouldn’t look like a disaster – but the Berkshire team needs to rebuild their squad this summer after former loanees and others left with their contracts at Select Car Leasing Stadium.
expired.
Unfortunately, their boss Dai Yongge not only disrupted preparations for the new season, but failing to pay wages on time and in full three times last season also resulted in one point being deducted last month.
That team could easily become a quartet if not careful – but their young players have taken over well despite that and have indeed replaced some of the more experienced first team players.
Looking more into the past than the present, let’s take a look at six players the Royals have hated to face over the years, with some of the men scoring goals against them multiple times.
6Cameron Jerome
Jerome probably tops some of the ‘scary’ club lists on Transfermarkt, as he has managed to build a long career
Not only do the Royals face Jerome in the league, they also face him in the Premier League and could feature him in League One this season.
He scored 7 goals in 20 appearances against Reading.
5Nahki Wells
The fact that Wells’ name appears on this list will not come as a shock to Royals fans.
The fact that he’s scored so often against them has made him a little Twitter meme – and many Reading fans weren’t thrilled when he started the game against them because they knew what was coming for them.
The only surprise is that he is not higher on this list but has a lower goal-per-game ratio than Paterson, Tomlin and Berbatov, who have also scored seven goals against them.
Paterson scored early in a thrilling 2016 FA Cup match to give Huddersfield Town a 1-0 lead over Berkshire.
But the Royals fought back and the red card for Jonathan Hogg contributed to that, as Matej Vyrdra scored a hat-trick as he led the home side to a 5-2 win.
The Terrier were leading 2-0 – but being sent off was game-changing.
However, Paterson enjoyed success against the Berkshire side, scoring seven goals in 18 games against them and recording three assists in the process.
Lee Tomlin
He scored a heartbreaking equalizer for Cardiff City in the 2017/18 season at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
The Royals took a 2-0 lead in that game – but the Bluebirds came back late and Tomlin’s second-half volley almost crossed the line – giving the Welsh side a point.
He is another player who has enjoyed a long career in the EFL, but his record of seven goals in 12 games against Selles’ side is nonetheless impressive.
Dimitar Berbatov
Berbatov has scored seven goals in just six league appearances and that’s an impressive feat, but four of those came at White Hart Lane in 2007/08 in a dramatic 6-4 tie.
Tottenham Hotspur led the Royals 4-3 in that game – but they have to thank the former Man Utd striker for helping them save the game in the first place with his hat-trick.
He then won his fourth and sixth Spurs in one of the most exciting games in Premier League history.
Andy Johnson
Johnson was often a thorn in the side of the Royals and even scored twice against them for Crystal Palace, during the 2005/06 season, when the Berkshire side scored a record 106 points.
Scoring a sublime goal at SCL Stadium in Palace’s away game, he took the penalty in a home draw at Selhurst Park and celebrated in front of the away fans, only for James Harper to equalize at home.
British dollar.
Given his talent, it’s no surprise he’s at the top of this list, but he deserves credit for scoring against the Royals during the most successful period in their history.
He scored 8 goals in 11 appearances against Reading.
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