It’s that time again. The football is back and how quickly it’s gone.
Jaap Stam is 5 hours away from taking his Reading side out in a competitive game for the first time.
Reading host Preston North End, the last team to visit the Mad Stad last season, in the opener.
It’s a huge game for Stam and his players. A good start is key this afternoon.
Reading: Al-Habsi; Gunter McShane Cooper Obita; Van Den Berg Swift Williams; Mccleary Kermorgant Beerens
Preston: Lindegaard; Smith Welsh Spurr Davidson; Pringle Gallagher Browne Robinson; Makienok Doyle
Reading will be without Dominic Samuel, Joseph Mendes and Stephen Quinn, whilst Gravenberch, Mccleary and Kermorgant have recovered from their respective injuries.
It;ll be interesting to see he fills the boots of Oli Norwood. Van Den Berg? Liam Kelly?
Roy is The Royals’ most exciting signing. The winger is full of pace and tricks and can cause defenses massive problems.
Can he get off to a flyer?
Callum Woods and Stevie May are both out injured.
All seven summer signings are available and likely to start.
Pringle has a cracking cross on him. Set pieces are where Preston could be dangerous this afternoon.
Preston did the double over Reading last season.
It’s a tough one to call as it’s the first of the season so I’m going to sit on the fence and say a 1-1 draw.