Competitive football has been a long time coming, and while your first proper of the game of the season going to a penalty shootout isn’t quite exactly what we’re used to when it comes to season curtain-raisers, it was still good to see Reading back at it.
Because even the most avid pre-season-goer really lives for Saturday 3pms with stakes on the line.
The game itself was a cagey one, with the level of quality on show more in line with what you would perhaps see in a friendly. However, there were some promising signs, and ultimately we’re through to the next round. Here’s how the fans reacted to the game…
One of the things we look forward to most when the season starts is seeing the new boys in action, and all four of Reading’s summer signings so far started this game. While it was Josh Stokes who got his name on the scoresheet, it was the performance of Kyreece Lisbie that really piqued the fans’ interest.
Leam Richardson has spoken tirelessly since joining about how he wants direct, pacey wingers who can run at defenders, so you’d imagine Lisbie will be an important player this season. And he’s got off to a good start.
He was always our most threatening attacker, and showed just what he can do in winning the penalty Lewis Wing missed. The fans were impressed with what they saw…
Early days, but if we got Lisbie for the price people have suggested he looks like he could be an absolute steal.#readingfc
— Tó’s Right Foot (@UncommonNeutral) August 8, 2026
Kyreece Lisbie looks a baller btw #ReadingFC
— Erik O🇸🇪 (@Erik_O86) August 8, 2026
I love Lisbie #readingfc
— Harley 🏴 (@harleylane1) August 8, 2026
The only real positive you can take from this game is that Lisbie looks a great signing 👌 #readingfc
— James Ebel (@jwebel1) August 8, 2026
Lisbie isn’t staying with us long, mainly because there’s no chance we’re going up and he’s far too good for this level #readingfc
— L (@notrating1) August 8, 2026
Lisbie is gonna be a fun watch this season #readingfc
— Dan (@DanTheMan__98) August 8, 2026
That’s actually not even a bad penalty😭😭
Lisbie was immense to win that #readingfc
— Harry (@harrysandman_) August 8, 2026
As is the case with the majority of performances I suppose, this was one that split opinion, with some fans fearing not enough has changed since last season and others seeing improvements.
In my opinion, there were definitely signs of more attacking intent and an identity of how we want to attack forming. The issues was that those signs came in sporadic bursts, rather than a consistent 90-minute performance, which is to be expected at this stage of the season.
It wouldn’t be the opening of the day of the season – or any day support Reading for that matter I suppose – without fans disagreeing already though…
Let’s be real… it wasn’t our finest performance but we can take positives such as Dokes and Lisbie being class. We have some work to do as we all know. Rino wasn’t on form today neither was O’Connor but it’s only one game.
UTFD #Readingfc
— dingontour (@dingontour1871) August 8, 2026
Well that performance doesn’t bode well for the rest of the season. Seems we’ve learned nothing over the summer, same issues persist. Playoffs are a pipe dream #readingfc
— Kyle Froomes (@KyleFroomes) August 8, 2026
Brown non-existent. Rinomhota honking, Ward and O’Connor a mid table league 2 pairing. Paddy lane – a marquee attacking signing last season now a back up left back. Dokes and the wingers the only positives so far for me. #readingfc
— Antony Strange (@AntonyStrange1) August 8, 2026
A weird game. Started well and ended well, but second best for much of the rest. Ward, O’Connor and Brown very poor.
No real clear defined style of play. Feel that the 4-2-3-1 doesnt suit us. Too often the midfield went missing.
Lisbie good. #readingfc— Jonathan Holdstock (@JH7123) August 8, 2026
I’m alright with that today. We weren’t great, but also, there were definitely some positives. I’ve really liked the look of Lisbie and Stokes. Fraser, Lane and Savage did well off the bench as well. Good win, but need improvement against Luton#ReadingFC
— Taylor (@TaylorStannett3) August 8, 2026
Well after all Leam’s talk about needing a pre season and not being able to implement his ideas, I don’t think we looked much different today. Still so boring and one dimensional. And he clearly gets out coached in-game by any decent opposition manager #readingfc
— Matt Williams (@mattwilliams100) August 8, 2026
I feel like I’m the only person to think we didn’t play terrible today. A good draw against a team that didn’t lose at home last season and in the league would’ve been a point. Lisbie looks amazing. Always room for improvement but it wasn’t as bad as people are saying.#readingfc
— Bob Benny (@BobBenny_1871) August 8, 2026
As is the case after any game taking place while the transfer windows still open, the need for extra bodies was on the agenda for the fans post-match. But this isn’t just a case of wanting signings for the sake of it – it’s very clear we’re still at least three bodies short going into the new campaign.
Richardson has been banging the drum in every piece of media he’s done in the last few weeks and reiterated it again in his post-match interviews.
With Rob Couhig over in the UK for the next few days, we’ll all be hoping the activity ramps up before the Luton Town game…
ST, CB and LB are needed all with first team quality! Anything less and we will struggle with the lack of depth.
Obviously if anyone is sold we will need more signings to replace them! #readingfc
— James (@B3rt1e) August 8, 2026
If the club wants good crowds ie 16k plus they need to bring in players so that we can challenge. People are not going to watch average crap. Challenge or forget it. #readingfc
— Paul Hawkins (@Abbykins2010) August 9, 2026
Toothless in front of goal and shocking defending to concede = draw!
Must see improvement at both ends in the first league game!
And proves we desperately need at least three quality players (ST, CB, LB). ✍️
At least Wing gets more penalty practice! 😬#readingfchttps://t.co/2RXodhKoyY
— James (@B3rt1e) August 8, 2026
I would say we are about 7-8 players short of being a top 6 side. Some of this football is terrible to watch. #readingfc
— The Royal Client (@TheRoyalClient) August 8, 2026
I hoping that this conversation between @RCouhig & an @ReadingFC supporter is true & we have a productive week next week with a few more signings through the door!! @DingAJM@HuangKad#readingfc 🤞🙏🏻⚽️🛎️ @catania_rick15@ToddTrosclairhttps://t.co/2eEeAHlPgD
— Dan Pollard (@Dan_J_Reading26) August 9, 2026
As we all know by now, the new direction for this club is to be ran sustainably – I don’t think we will spend any more perms as Kelvin E plugged the losses and we see a few loan signings in the coming weeks at #ReadingFC
The ownership need to manage expectations and communicate
— PEDRO‼️ (@PictonPedro) August 8, 2026
There seems to be quite a distinct split among the fans at the moment: those who are giving Richardson a clean slate and second chance, and those who still have last season’s dismal ending etched firmly in their minds.
I fall into the former of those categories (it’s a new season after all). And, as I mentioned, there were definitely positives to take and signs that Richardson wants this team to be more proactive and on the front foot.
All in all, it is a positive start to the season. However, and I know it’s quoting the glaringly obvious, we need to continue evolving into a team that can produce those positives on a more consistent basis.
And hopefully that starts at the SCL next weekend when, let’s be honest, the season properly starts.
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