Deja Ru: Reading's 2025/26 Season Echoes 2023/24

Player Turnover: A Similar Rebuild

This summer has required a significant rebuild for the senior squad, perhaps more than the new ownership realized or had planned. At the start of the season, we had around half a dozen senior players with contracts to run and a group of others needing contract extensions. While most of these were eventually resolved, key players in crucial positions were lost during this process, making the rebuild more extensive.

In total, 2025’s summer window saw us bring in 12 new players—eight permanent moves and four loan signings—with an additional five players added for the under-21 side. This mirrors the player turnover from the 2023 summer window, which also saw a large number of players leaving due to relegation from the Championship or not fitting the blueprint of the new manager. In that case, we brought in 12 players, two of whom were loan signings, along with several recruits for the under-21 side.

The numbers are quite similar, though the recruitment two years ago lacked financial support. The current situation is more structured, but the challenge remains just as significant.

New Leadership: A Shift in Management

This summer also marked a change in leadership at the club. Joe Jacobson took on the role of co-CEO, overseeing his first transfer window. It was a challenging period, with the need to manage new contracts and recruit players while dealing with fan pressure for impactful signings.

Two years ago, there was also a shift in the boardroom structure. Mark Bowen and Brian Carey had been in place since May 2022, but 2023 saw the addition of head of scouting Jared Dublin, forming a new recruitment trio for Reading’s rebuild. Despite their experience, they faced the challenge of operating within financial constraints.

Today, we see similar changes, with new faces being brought in to support the club from a structural perspective. Brian Carey continues to play a vital role, finding solutions even in difficult circumstances.

Missing Players: Injuries and Late Arrivals

One of the early signings of the season, Paudie O’Connor, was seen as a strong statement for the club. However, he has yet to make an impact due to an injury picked up just before the season started. Similarly, we were short on attacking reinforcements for much of August, relying mainly on Mark O’Mahony as our established striker.

Jack Marriott, another high-profile signing, arrived late in the window and needed time to adapt. This echoes the 2023/24 season, where Lewis Wing and Sam Smith joined the team but were initially sidelined due to injuries and adjustment periods.

Both Wing and Smith eventually made a significant impact, but their early struggles highlighted the challenges of integrating big-name signings into a new team.

Playing Style: A Lack of Tactical Identity

There has been a noticeable lack of a defined playing style this season. From the beginning, fans have questioned the shape, selection choices, and in-game decisions. This mirrors the struggles of Ruben Selles in the 2023/24 season, who struggled to implement a specific system with the available players.

While there hasn’t been as much discussion about pre-season preparation this time, some argue that Hunt needs more time to work with the new players. Ultimately, it became clear that the squad wasn’t suited for the initial system, leading to a change in formation later in the season.

The results improved after the switch, showing the importance of adapting to the team's strengths. A similar approach could be beneficial now, with a potential shift to a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-2-1 formation.

Youth Breakthrough: A Path to Success

In the 2023/24 season, young academy players like Michael Craig and Caylan Vickers made an impact, contributing to key wins. Their performances helped improve the team’s overall performance and provided depth.

This season, we’ve seen similar breakthroughs, with players like Shay Spencer and Ashqar Ahmed stepping up. Others, such as Basil Tuma and Emmanuel Osho, are waiting in the wings, ready to make an impact when given the chance.

What Does It All Mean?

The similarities between this season and the 2023/24 campaign are undeniable. While the 2023/24 season started with challenges, it ultimately led to a successful follow-up season. The lessons learned then have influenced the current setup, and there is hope that this year’s efforts will pay off in the future.

It’s important for the manager to learn from past experiences and make necessary adjustments quickly. While the changes last time came too late to save the season, making them now could still give the team a chance to push for the playoffs. With continued growth and development, the team has the potential to overcome the challenges ahead.