Reading 2015/16 season
League Position: 17th (2014/15: 19th)
Average league attendance: 17,285 (2014/15: 17,022)
Top league goalscorer: Nick Blackman (11)
Since their relegation from the top flight in 2013, The Royals have spent 3 years in England's second tier. Originally they looked set for a quick return to the Premier League, but consecutive low finishes have not put them close in recent seasons. The squad continued to be reshaped last summer as manager Steve Clarke released nine players. These included long-serving goalkeeper Adam Federici and Alex Pearce, who joined AFC Bournemouth and Derby County respectively.
Former Brentford loanee Mikkel Andersen [FC Midtjylland]; George McLennan [Cheltenham Town]; Jem Karacan [Galatasaray]; Jure Travner [Celje]; Stephen Kelly [unattached]; Danny Guthrie [Blackburn Rovers] and Hope Akpan [Blackburn Rovers] also left Berkshire on expiry of their contracts. Arriving at The Madejski were Jonathan Bond [Watford]; Orlando Sa [Legia Warsaw]; Stephen Quinn [Hull City]; Paul McShane [Hull City]; Ali Al-Habsi [Wigan Athletic]; Paolo Hurtado [Paços de Ferreira] plus Academy graduates Lewis Collins, George Lugg, and Jake Sheppard.
After a slow start in the league, Reading's first win in the league came at Griffin Park as The Bees began to suffer with injuries to the First Team. They managed to get a good start in the Capital One Cup, winning against Colchester United and Portsmouth before going out to Everton in the Third Round. Four wins in a row followed through September but as winter took hold the squad began to struggle for points. By the turn of the New Year, the blue and white hoops had only won two in their last ten games - including a 2-1 defeat to Brentford.
Beating Huddersfield Town, Walsall and West Bromwich Albion; they went all the way to the Sixth Round in the FA Cup until Crystal Palace proved too much for them in mid-March. Their league form continued to stutter, two wins in two months for February and March, and The Royals slipped closer to the relegation battle. An impressive run of home form saved their season, as big wins against Bolton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest proved crucial before a run of seven games without a win closed out the campaign.
The Ground
The Madejski Stadium Reading Berkshire RG2 0FL Click here for more information on The Madejski
The Manager
Former Manchester United hardman Jaap Stam was announced as Reading boss this month. The Dutchman was brought in as a replacement for the outgoing Brian McDermott.
Once a no-nonsense centre-back, Stam earned 67 international caps and played domestically for the likes of PSV Eindhoven, Milan, Lazio and Ajax. The 43-year-old moved into coaching in 2011 at his first club PEC Zwolle, before becoming an assistant at Ajax. He is also a big supporter of Soccer Aid, having made four appearances in their charity matches since 2008.
The First Meeting
18 October 1901, Southern League Division One - Reading 2 Brentford 0 Brentford XI: Spicer; Regan, Robson; McEleny, McElhaney, Stormont; McSwan, McLeod, Turnbull, Shanks, Andrews Reading score a goal either side of half time as newly promoted Brentford continue their struggle against bigger opponents in Southern League Division One.
The Last Meeting
28 December 2015, Sky Bet Championship - Reading 1 Brentford 2 Brentford XI: Button; Colin, Dean, Tarkowski, Bidwell; Diagouraga, McEachran; Woods, Judge, Swift; Vibe Ryan Woods and Sergi Canos score eye-catching goals either side of an opener from Garath McCleary, as The Bees see off 10-man Reading to pick up a first away win since late October.
Head to Head
Brentford wins: 30 Draws: 23 Reading wins: 35