Reading vs Blackpool: Match Preview 2023/24

The Royals will be looking to prevent the Seasiders from securing a top-six finish.

Reading end their 2023/24 campaign today as they host Blackpool, who will be hoping to secure a place in the top six by 2:30pm.

With the Royals not having a lot to play for, an away win could be on the cards, but they didn’t perform well last weekend against Burton Albion and will be looking to make up for that today.

Ahead of this afternoon’s early kick-off, we have your preview.

What? League One Matchday 46

Season? 2023/24

Who? Blackpool

Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium

When? Saturday 27th April

Time? 12:30pm

Opposition Manager? Neil Critchley

The Royals

Last weekend was disappointing, but we performed better in the second half and should have made the most of the possession we had to get something from that clash.

Another loss today would be extremely disappointing, so let’s hope we can sign off with at least a point.

With this afternoon’s opponents still having plenty to play for, we will need to be fully up for this game if we are to avoid a defeat.

The chance to send fans home with three points should give the hosts enough motivation to be competitive in this clash.

The Opponents

Critchley’s side have been inconsistent for much of the campaign and that would have frustrated their supporters.

However, they have been in better form recently and could potentially move ahead of Oxford United, Lincoln City and Barnsley on the final day to secure a place in the top six.

They certainly have the quality in their squad to do well today and in the play-offs, so it will be interesting to see whether they can put in a performance worthy of promotion at the SCL.

My Lineup

Starting XI: Pereira, Mola, Bindon, Mbengue, Abrefa, Wing, Knibbs, Elliott, Azeez, Camara, Smith

Subs: Boyce-Clarke, Ryan, Stickland, Savage, Wellens, Akande, Ehibhatiomhan

Joel Pereira starts between the sticks once more.

Clinton Mola and Kelvin Abrefa also get a chance to shine, with the latter starting in recent matches anyway.

Tyler Bindon and Amadou Mbengue will be hoping to redeem themselves after conceding three times last weekend - and the same midfield three are retained too. I wouldn’t be against seeing some substitutions in this area during the second half though to give others a chance to prove their worth.

There’s one change on the wing, with Mamadi Camara coming in for Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan.

It would be interesting to see how Femi Azeez plays on the left-hand side. But it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him move on this summer, so I was tempted to bench him for this match.

Up front, Sam Smith starts again, with signings needed in the striker area during the summer window.

Score Prediction: Reading 2-2 Blackpool

Other League One Fixtures

Barnsley vs Northampton Town

Derby County vs Carlisle United

Exeter City vs Oxford United

Fleetwood Town vs Burton Albion

Lincoln City vs Portsmouth

Peterborough United vs Bolton Wanderers

Port Vale vs Cambridge United

Reading vs Blackpool

Shrewsbury Town vs Leyton Orient

Stevenage vs Cheltenham Town

Wigan Athletic vs Bristol Rovers

Wycombe Wanderers vs Charlton Athletic

All games get underway at 12:30pm

Signing off

It’s been a privilege to be The Tilehurst End’s match preview writer for the past five-and-a-half years.

This period has been pretty miserable in general, but I hope we can start a new chapter very shortly. The takeover process could be full of ups and downs, but if a sale does materialise, that’s something big to celebrate.

Instant success isn’t guaranteed under new owners (look at Birmingham City!) and talk of a potential promotion push for next season feels slightly premature, but financial stability is the number one priority and we should hopefully get that with Dai Yongge’s potential successor(s). I’m hugely optimistic about the future though. The fans deserve better and football works in cycles. Our time to shine will come again.

On a personal note, I’m gutted not to be carrying on with the match preview role, but a break is needed and it’s clear that a fresh injection of ideas and energy from another writer is required.

Five-and-a-half years is a long time - and it’s definitely time to step back from being Assistant Editor (once the SBWD campaign is over) and from this role. I would urge anyone who’s been in a role for a long time and feels their content is going stale to step back, take time away and then potentially come back with more energy and creativity. Clinging on to a role for the sake of it isn’t healthy, nor is it beneficial.

I would be doing a disservice to TTE and its stalwarts by clinging on. Speaking of its stalwarts, I want to say a big thank you to Wimb, Sim, Marc and Olly for all of their help and guidance over the years - and a massive well done to Ben and Ross for hosting such an entertaining podcast.

It’s heartening to see so many new writers join TTE. I started writing for the website when I was just an aspiring journalist. I leave my roles as a qualified journalist and TTE certainly played their part in that, as well as many others.

I’m so pleased that the site has also played its part in the Sell Before We Dai campaign. Even with exclusivity confirmed, SBWD are continuing to work on different things. Preparing for the best and worst-case scenarios is key - and we are also preparing to send our feedback to local politicians after reading the Football Governance Bill.

This bill and the Independent Football Regulator could be crucial for many clubs in the future, including us if we find ourselves in trouble again. Ensuring the bill is as detailed and complete as possible is a key priority - and the IRF must have substance and power.

I’m concerned by the Premier League’s recent behaviour. They cannot be allowed to water down this legislation.

Moving on to SBWD’s preparation for a sale, I’m hoping we can execute an effective handover to STAR, who have played a key part in this campaign, along with Elm Park Royals, Club 1871 and TTE.

Having STAR on board with the campaign has been so crucial - and they should be commended for taking the decision to join. I want the supporters’ trust to be known as one of the finest in the country - and they deserve this status for their contributions in the last 10 months.

With the brilliant Sarah Turner at the helm, I’m confident that STAR can continue evolving into an even more effective group.

What happens to SBWD once a sale happens remains to be seen, but I’m hoping an effective handover can make the campaign redundant pretty much straight away. This is just my personal view, but I don’t feel the campaign should stay on for a few more weeks after a sale is complete.

Firstly, the new owners will need to have space, time and patience during the early stages of their reign.

Secondly, although the campaign has had some bright moments, with October’s march standing out as a real show of unity, SBWD was created for all the wrong reasons and it’s a painful reminder of what life has been like under Dai.

We won’t be abandoning those, including Sheffield Wednesday, who are currently having ownership issues. Instead, it would be great to have a dedicated person at STAR to help campaign groups. We could remain active on social media and look out for DMs in the SBWD inbox, but I’m very keen to have a person (potentially a STAR board member) dedicated to helping out. That’s how Reading fans can continue to lead on the ‘football has an ownership problem’ issue.

Reading fans have been nothing short of brilliant this season. They could have easily got the Eastleigh game called off, with this match being live on ITV. All it would have taken was a few people to get that game abandoned. But the protest was beautifully executed and it sent a very strong message.

I’m so happy to be part of such a brilliant fanbase - and I’m relishing the fact we could be set to enjoy a brighter future. The sale isn’t done until it’s done, but let’s remain hopeful!

In the short term, let’s enjoy today. But in a few months, I’m hoping to look forward to a new season and match previews written by someone new!