TIM DELLOR COLUMN: Reading aiming to extend unbeaten run

A TRIP to Brisbane Road and Leyton Orient brings an end to a long 13 days without a game. Unbeaten in five, and climbing up the table, such a lengthy break was just what Reading didn’t want at the start of 2026. Leam Richardson will be hoping his team can pick up from where they left off, beating Stockport back on January 4. Reading are four points outside the play offs, in ninth, and on a charge up the table. It’s a shame anything had to interrupt that momentum.

It was the last blank week in Reading’s diary for the rest of the season. They have games scheduled for every Saturday until Easter weekend, when they are at Huddersfield on Good Friday and host Lincoln on Easter Monday. We’ll be gasping for breath from now onwards, with no more Saturdays lounging about with FOMO.

The FA Cup third round weekend was certainly riddled with FOMO for Reading fans. Being knocked out the FA Cup at the first round stage, back in November, was a real low point. Even having to play in the first round since relegation from the Championship still irks. Sitting at home watching giant killings, Premier League teams getting frights, new managers trying to prove their worth and all the other stories breaking, was sobering.

The big story came from Macclesfield, who needed extra time to see off Slough in the second round, but got the job done in 90 minutes against Premier League team Crystal Palace. That was exactly what the FA Cup third round should be about. Back in 2022, when Reading were a big Championship club, they were knocked out by Kidderminster. That was widely thought to be one of the biggest upsets before last weekend. At least Reading’s dismal display on that occasion is now eclipsed.

On Saturday evening the former Reading right back Liam Rosenior took charge of Chelsea for the first time. His team comfortably won at Charlton, which was a relief for all of his fans. Rosenior played more than 60 games 15 years ago, and was always intelligent, likeable and articulate in the many interviews I did with him. He had charisma, curiosity and charm, and it was obvious he was destined for big things. Not many players I come across have all these qualities. Curiosity is what really stood him apart. Most managers and players at Reading since then show zero interest in anything beyond themselves and the next game.

We also had Manchester City joining Reading, as the two recent teams to score a boatload of goals against Exeter in a cup game. Reading scored nine at St James a couple of seasons ago in the EFL Trophy. Manchester City bettered that tally by one in an absolute rout in last weekend’s FA Cup. When games see a team score 10 it’s farcical, and does little for the excitement or jeopardy the FA Cup is so famed for.

It’s back to business for Reading this Saturday, and unlike some of their League 1 rivals, they have had no FA Cup distractions hampering them.