MATCHWATCH : Mansfield Town (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday October 4, 2025, 3pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

Saturday sees a return to proper meaningful football with a visit from Mansfield Town.

Nigel Clough’s Stags have again started the season reasonably brightly sitting, as they are, in 12th with 4 wins and a couple of draws to show for some earnest efforts so far. They’ve beaten Blackpool and dismantled Leyton Orient but have found their travels harder to negotiate with losses at Port Vale and Burton amongst others.

Regan Hendry, Jamie McDonnell and Will Evans are leading the Mansfield goal charts with two goals each, which I’m sure will be more than enough thought for the Reading management team to have to consider.


Reading will have no Garcia or Williams and Yiadom & O’Connor are possibly likely still unavailable too so a lot of careful planning will be needed to ensure team selection is well balanced and capable (esp. at the rear).



Referee

Paul “what am I doing here” Tierney

Previously

31 Oct 17 > Reading 3-1 Nottingham Forest
08 Mar 16 > Huddersfield Town 3-1 Reading
19 Aug 15 > Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Reading
29 Dec 13 > Middlesbrough 3-0 Reading
11 Dec 10 > Reading 0-0 Coventry City

Historically

This is the 26th league season the two clubs have shared and, historically, Mansfield do not do well in Reading at all. Of their previous 25 visits the best Mansfield have managed is 4 draws with Reading winning the remaining 21 games. Mansfield haven't collected any points from a visit to Reading since April 1975 when they drew 1-1 (8 games ago).

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Ring/text a mate for updates
4. Use a RoyalTV subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Hound]

JP
Abrefa Dorsett Burns Jacob
Wing Savage
Ritchie Doyle Lane
Marriott

Stevens, Ehibhatiomhan, Elliott, Stickland, MoM, Fraser, Kyeweera

Assuming Camara is injured. Would not be upset to see any of the better performers from Tues on the bench though - Spencer, Ryan, Rushesha…

[Dave the rave]

The boy's and my birthday weekend.
Tickets seems plentiful so guessing a low ish attendance for this one but a win would be a nice present.

[Snowflake Royal]

JP
Abrefa Dorsett Burns Jacob
Wing Savage
Ritchie Doyle Lane
Marriott

Stevens, Ehibhatiomhan, Elliott, Stickland, MoM, Fraser, Kyeweera

Assuming Camara is injured. Would not be upset to see any of the better performers from Tues on the bench though - Spencer, Ryan, Rushesha…

Similar, but I'd go Kyerewaa over Ritchie, I'm yet to see a sign he has the legs to start, and he makes a super sub.

But I'm sure Hunt will play Ahmed over Abrefa.

[Hound]

JP
Abrefa Dorsett Burns Jacob
Wing Savage
Ritchie Doyle Lane
Marriott

Stevens, Ehibhatiomhan, Elliott, Stickland, MoM, Fraser, Kyeweera

Assuming Camara is injured. Would not be upset to see any of the better performers from Tues on the bench though - Spencer, Ryan, Rushesha…

Similar, but I'd go Kyerewaa over Ritchie, I'm yet to see a sign he has the legs to start, and he makes a super sub.

But I'm sure Hunt will play Ahmed over Abrefa.

I suspect he will as well

I’m thoroughly bored of Kyeweera. 1 goal and 1 dodgy misplaced pass assist in 12 games. Ritchie played 30 odd times last year and plenty of starts. I’m suprised he isn’t starting already tbh. If not Ritchie, would play Kelvin E

[URZZZZ]

JP
Abrefa Dorsett Burns Jacob
Wing Savage
Ritchie Doyle Lane
Marriott

Stevens, Ehibhatiomhan, Elliott, Stickland, MoM, Fraser, Kyeweera

Assuming Camara is injured. Would not be upset to see any of the better performers from Tues on the bench though - Spencer, Ryan, Rushesha…

Similar, but I'd go Kyerewaa over Ritchie, I'm yet to see a sign he has the legs to start, and he makes a super sub.

But I'm sure Hunt will play Ahmed over Abrefa.

I suspect he will as well

I’m thoroughly bored of Kyeweera. 1 goal and 1 dodgy misplaced pass assist in 12 games. Ritchie played 30 odd times last year and plenty of starts. I’m suprised he isn’t starting already tbh. If not Ritchie, would play Kelvin E

Lane has been no better (albeit fewer games). But he at least has the excuse for knowing the division!

Let’s hope Camara is back

[Hound]

Similar, but I'd go Kyerewaa over Ritchie, I'm yet to see a sign he has the legs to start, and he makes a super sub.

But I'm sure Hunt will play Ahmed over Abrefa.

I suspect he will as well

I’m thoroughly bored of Kyeweera. 1 goal and 1 dodgy misplaced pass assist in 12 games. Ritchie played 30 odd times last year and plenty of starts. I’m suprised he isn’t starting already tbh. If not Ritchie, would play Kelvin E

Lane has been no better (albeit fewer games). But he at least has the excuse for knowing the division!

Let’s hope Camara is back

Yes lane has been disappointing so far

[Snowflake Royal]

JP
Abrefa Dorsett Burns Jacob
Wing Savage
Ritchie Doyle Lane
Marriott

Stevens, Ehibhatiomhan, Elliott, Stickland, MoM, Fraser, Kyeweera

Assuming Camara is injured. Would not be upset to see any of the better performers from Tues on the bench though - Spencer, Ryan, Rushesha…

Similar, but I'd go Kyerewaa over Ritchie, I'm yet to see a sign he has the legs to start, and he makes a super sub.

But I'm sure Hunt will play Ahmed over Abrefa.

I suspect he will as well

I’m thoroughly bored of Kyeweera. 1 goal and 1 dodgy misplaced pass assist in 12 games. Ritchie played 30 odd times last year and plenty of starts. I’m suprised he isn’t starting already tbh. If not Ritchie, would play Kelvin E

Yeah, I get you don’t rate him.

For me, his pace and work rate are worth the lack of polish. He takes people on and commits defenders. He goes past people. Not many of our players do. He adds a chaotic element from which something might happen.

I like Kelvin, but he doesn't have nearly the same work rate, and he's created less than Kyerewaa. Ritchie's two cameos have largely been all nous, I've seen nothing to suggest he can press high and hard, which is pretty central to how we play. Change that and it might be a different story, but we aren't changing that. Good assist, but its one moment. I want to see him do more from the bench before he starts.

I reckon if Kyerewaa was from the academy you'd have a lot more patience.

[Hound]

Similar, but I'd go Kyerewaa over Ritchie, I'm yet to see a sign he has the legs to start, and he makes a super sub.

But I'm sure Hunt will play Ahmed over Abrefa.

I suspect he will as well

I’m thoroughly bored of Kyeweera. 1 goal and 1 dodgy misplaced pass assist in 12 games. Ritchie played 30 odd times last year and plenty of starts. I’m suprised he isn’t starting already tbh. If not Ritchie, would play Kelvin E

Yeah, I get you don’t rate him.

For me, his pace and work rate are worth the lack of polish. He takes people on and commits defenders. He goes past people. Not many of our players do. He adds a chaotic element from which something might happen.

I like Kelvin, but he doesn't have nearly the same work rate, and he's created less than Kyerewaa. Ritchie's two cameos have largely been all nous, I've seen nothing to suggest he can press high and hard, which is pretty central to how we play. Change that and it might be a different story, but we aren't changing that. Good assist, but its one moment. I want to see him do more from the bench before he starts.

I reckon if Kyerewaa was from the academy you'd have a lot more patience.

If Kyeweera was 20/21 and breaking through from playing well in the academy, then yes I’d have more patience. But he’s 24 in a couple of days with no career to speak of behind him

I don’t think he’s terrible, I think he could be a really useful sub last 20 mins against tiring legs. I think he’d be really effective in that role. Not a starter though

Kelvin is more effective defensively imo and generally all round better, but he really does need to kick on to another level now

I’m annoyed if Ritchie still isn’t fit enough to start. He’s 36, not 56. He should be perfectly capable. He played 39 times last year with 28 starts at a higher level and was widely praised for his performances. That shouldn’t drop off in a couple of months

[Snowflake Royal]

I suspect he will as well

I’m thoroughly bored of Kyeweera. 1 goal and 1 dodgy misplaced pass assist in 12 games. Ritchie played 30 odd times last year and plenty of starts. I’m suprised he isn’t starting already tbh. If not Ritchie, would play Kelvin E

Yeah, I get you don’t rate him.

For me, his pace and work rate are worth the lack of polish. He takes people on and commits defenders. He goes past people. Not many of our players do. He adds a chaotic element from which something might happen.

I like Kelvin, but he doesn't have nearly the same work rate, and he's created less than Kyerewaa. Ritchie's two cameos have largely been all nous, I've seen nothing to suggest he can press high and hard, which is pretty central to how we play. Change that and it might be a different story, but we aren't changing that. Good assist, but its one moment. I want to see him do more from the bench before he starts.

I reckon if Kyerewaa was from the academy you'd have a lot more patience.

If Kyeweera was 20/21 and breaking through from playing well in the academy, then yes I’d have more patience. But he’s 24 in a couple of days with no career to speak of behind him

I don’t think he’s terrible, I think he could be a really useful sub last 20 mins against tiring legs. I think he’d be really effective in that role. Not a starter though

Kelvin is more effective defensively imo and generally all round better, but he really does need to kick on to another level now

I’m annoyed if Ritchie still isn’t fit enough to start. He’s 36, not 56. He should be perfectly capable. He played 39 times last year with 28 starts at a higher level and was widely praised for his performances. That shouldn’t drop off in a couple of months

Most players have retired by 36, or aren't in the FL any more, haven't they. And didn't he spend his last few seasons at FB?

Fair point on Kyerewaa's age... he's so diddy I forget he's a year or two older

[Mr Sitter]

Is this likely to be the last league game for a couple of weeks or don’t we (or Exeter) have enough world stars ?

[tidus_mi2]

Is this likely to be the last league game for a couple of weeks or don’t we (or Exeter) have enough world stars ?

Exeter's game wasn't called off last break, maybe they don't want it postponed even if they meet the threshold?

[Clyde1998]

Is this likely to be the last league game for a couple of weeks or don’t we (or Exeter) have enough world stars ?

There have been four games postponed next week for internationals now and ours isn’t one. I’d be surprised if the Exeter game is postponed now.

[Royals and Racers]

Is this likely to be the last league game for a couple of weeks or don’t we (or Exeter) have enough world stars ?

There have been four games postponed next week for internationals now and ours isn’t one. I’d be surprised if the Exeter game is postponed now.

5 now

[Royal_jimmy]

2-0 win for us. Marriott and Savage to get the goals.

[tidus_mi2]

A win is really the only acceptable result here, a draw with a good performance might just about be tolerable.

[Ascotexgunner]

I wonder if the game might be called off? The storm overnight and tomorrow looks very blustery...

[ILoveMoonPig]

I really hope for a decent win. I recon a third good result in a row, unbeaten in three, would be really positive for confidence and could really start a good run.

[East Grinstead Royal]

I wonder if the game might be called off? The storm overnight and tomorrow looks very blustery...

Only likely if there is a health and safety concern, such as the roof of a stand might blow off. If bluster was a cause of postponement, Steve Evans would have gone a whole season without a game taking place.

[Clyde1998]

Unchanged from the last league game.

Pereira
Ahmed - Burns - Dorsett - Jacobs
Doyle - Wing - Savage
Kyerewaa - Marriott - Lane

Subs: Stevens; Abrefa; Elliott; Ehibhatiomhan; O’Mahony; Stickland; Ritchie