SQUADWATCH - Summer 2026

[morganb]

Tyler Sackey has agreed a new long-term with Reading.

https://x.com/i/status/2068283519126712388

[PeteO]

[tidus_mi2]

Tyler Sackey has agreed a new long-term with Reading.

https://x.com/i/status/2068283519126712388

[PeteO]

20 in November, suppose this is the season he needs to start breaking into the team, if he's been given a long-term contract they must have confidence he will do so.

[Sutekh]

Tyler Sackey has agreed a new long-term with Reading.

https://x.com/i/status/2068283519126712388

[PeteO]

20 in November, suppose this is the season he needs to start breaking into the team, if he's been given a long-term contract they must have confidence he will do so.

Agree, been on the edge for a couple of seasons but never really got a place, even in the cups. Makes me think he’s not up to it but hopefully he’ll get and seize a break this season.

[Crowbar6753]

Great news, our Academy is the way forward and will pay for itself if we continue to produce players capable of holding their own in the first team thus not having to fork out silly transfer money such as Lisbie (Bullet dodged) and the likes of Paddy Lane and Matt Richie (Wages)!!
I only hope someone has a quiet word in the Gaffer's ear regarding our Academy youngsters as opposed to loaning has been mercenaries.

[Clyde1998]

Great news, our Academy is the way forward and will pay for itself if we continue to produce players capable of holding their own in the first team thus not having to fork out silly transfer money such as Lisbie (Bullet dodged) and the likes of Paddy Lane and Matt Richie (Wages)!!
I only hope someone has a quiet word in the Gaffer's ear regarding our Academy youngsters as opposed to loaning has been mercenaries.

Hopefully he gets an opportunity, as he's been one of the better U21 players.

Wouldn't be surprised if he goes out on loan though, which would be beneficial for him tbh.

[Brogue]

Derrick Williams has retired

[Sutekh]

Derrick Williams has retired

Well that signing worked well! Guess injury finally took its toll. Thanks Derrick you were excellent in the games you got to play, good luck for your future.

We’ve got Ward, Dorsett, O’Connor and couple of decent youngsters in Kanu and Duah as cover so don’t think there’ll be a need to make a CB a priority but would probably keep an eye open if there’s a bargain to be had somewhere.

[RG30]

Tom McIntyre would seem like a logical move.

[JedMaxwell]

Derrick Williams has retired

Well that signing worked well! Guess injury finally took its toll.

We’ve got Ward, Dorsett, O’Connor and couple of decent youngsters in Kanu and Duah as cover so don’t think there’ll be a need to make a CB a priority but would probably keep an eye open if there’s a bargain to be had somewhere.

I don't think we'll see Kanu or Duah anywhere near the side while Richardson is manager. That's not exactly a ground breaking observation I know, but he doesn't trust the youngsters and we don't have to throw them in out of necessity like in the past few years. I suspect we'll sign another knacker who won't be fit enough to play more than 20 games.

It's a shame Derrick has decided to call time, I thought he was really good when he did play and didn't really look off it at any point. I'd imagine he was playing through pain or with injections etc. which aren't good for your long-term health and with a young family sometimes you have to make these decisions.

[Brogue]

ok defender, made of glass, slow as fcuk. Him and POC at the back made me wince when up against a pacy front line. No great loss imo.

[Stranded]

Derrick Williams has retired

Shame, liked him but hey ho.

CB a need now even if just as cover.

[linkenholtroyal]

ok defender, made of glass, slow as fcuk. Him and POC at the back made me wince when up against a pacy front line. No great loss imo.

Also…… 5 of our top 6 highest earners of last season off the wage bill….. must free up some space for incomings now.

[leon]

ok defender, made of glass, slow as fcuk. Him and POC at the back made me wince when up against a pacy front line. No great loss imo.

thought he was better than O'Connor - needed a quick CB in support but he organised and was a talker.

[Hound]

A good player - agree him and PoC together wasn’t the way forward though

He had a very long season last year - was hoping he’d have a good break and be more reliable next year - but yes not the end of the world

TMc is about the only CB I’ve seen slower than that pair so not ideal

[leon]

A good player - agree him and PoC together wasn’t the way forward though

He had a very long season last year - was hoping he’d have a good break and be more reliable next year - but yes not the end of the world

TMc is about the only CB I’ve seen slower than that pair so not ideal

yeah don't want him back, too slow and not what we need

[mikey_1871]

Derrick did the job required at the time - shored up the defence with POC injured at the start of the season and our starting centre backs were Burns and Stickland

Shouldn't be needed this season though and good to get his wages off the bill.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Williams was great last season, but I'm not actually disappointed. Big wage off the books you'd expect. Focus on getting 40 games out of POC and Ward. The drop off to Dorsett and Kanu would be quite large, so perhaps use the loan market to supplement, but keeping the first choice pairing as fit as possible is key.

[stealthpapes]

ok defender, made of glass, slow as fcuk. Him and POC at the back made me wince when up against a pacy front line. No great loss imo.

thought he was better than O'Connor - needed a quick CB in support but he organised and was a talker.

yup,

but also see this as an opportunity.

[Clyde1998]

Derrick Williams has retired

Well that signing worked well! Guess injury finally took its toll. Thanks Derrick you were excellent in the games you got to play, good luck for your future.

We’ve got Ward, Dorsett, O’Connor and couple of decent youngsters in Kanu and Duah as cover so don’t think there’ll be a need to make a CB a priority but would probably keep an eye open if there’s a bargain to be had somewhere.

This. Thought he was probably our best player last season, it's just injuries which prevented him from playing more regularly.

If Ward's fit again, we should have enough cover at centre-back without being forced into the market.

[stealthpapes]

rough first team squad - updates

GOALKEEPERS (GK)

Joel PEREIRA - 2028
Jack STEVENS - 2027

DEFENDERS (DF)

Jeriel DORSETT - 2026
Paudie O’CONNOR - 2029
Haydon ROBERTS- 2028
Benn WARD - 2029
PLUS CENTREBACK
PLUS CENTREBACK? - I think at least one (fast, young) centre back is now a priority.
PLUS UTILITY DEFENDER
Plus maybe see more from John RYAN - 2027, Abraham KANU - 2026

MIDFIELDERS (MF)

Liam FRASER - 2027
Andy RINOMHOTA - 2026
Charlie SAVAGE - 2027
Randell WILLIAMS - 2027
Lewis WING - 2028

FORWARDS (FW)

Kelvin EHIBHATIOMHAN - 2027
Jack MARRIOTT - 2028
PLUS A STRIKER
Daniel KYEREWAA - 2027
Paddy LANE - 2028
PLUS 2 ATTACKING MIDFIELD - Ritchie going makes attacking midfielder also a priority
PLUS Expect to see more from
Tyler SACKEY - 2029+
Sean PATTON - 2027

Boyd BEACROFT- 2026 (still in discussion?)