The plan
Reading have been stagnating in mid-table and last season went in the opposite direction to where they would have been aiming, with an eighth-place finish, one position lower than in 2020-21 and three worse than in the campaign before that. The manager, Kelly Chambers, has shaken up her side, signing six players. They include the goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns, who competed at her first major tournament at the Euros with Northern Ireland and joins from Häcken, the forward Charlie Wellings from Celtic and the defender Brooke Hendrix from Melbourne Victory. The newcomers could turn the tide..
But some key players will be missing. Brooke Chaplen, a mainstay at the club since 2017, retired at the end of last season and the powerhouse and captain Natasha Harding left in July to sign for Aston Villa on a one-year deal. Losing Harding, who has more than 100 Wales caps, is a huge blow. She too joined in 2017 and has since made 83 WSL appearances and scored four goals. Chambers said: “She’s been an integral part of the team and been a huge part of our growth as a club.” Harding’s departure will leave a huge hole but tactics may be a way to secure more points.
Reading used five formations in the league last season and will be able to fit their signings into their versatile setup. But one formation was key for most of their points. When Chambers played 4-4-2, as she did in 12 of their 22 league matches, they won six, drew two and lost three. The only other win came using 3-4-3 in their shock 1-0 victory over Chelsea. Deploy 4-4-2 more often and Reading could sail up the WSL.
The manager
Chambers has been in charge since the 2014-15 season. She had an immediate impact after rejoining the club she played for, leading them to promotion to the WSL. But since then the club have not thrown a punch at the top or won any trophies. Their highest finish in the top division in Chambers’ reign has been fourth in 2017-18.
Key player
The striker Natasha Dowie, who has been capped by England, signed for Reading before the 2021-22 season and made a difference instantly. The 34-year-old was the club’s top scorer in the WSL with six and is the highest scorer in the league aside from players who compete for the “top four” – Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United. Chambers heaped praise on Dowie last season, saying: “That’s what we brought Tash in for – she’s known for scoring goals, she’s done it everywhere she’s been.” Her experience in the top flight, winning the WSL in 2013 and 2014 with Liverpool, will continue to aid the club.
Big summer signing
The Republic of Ireland international Diane Caldwell oozes experience, including playing in the Frauen Bundesliga for SC Sand and Cologne and competing in the National Women’s Soccer League for North Carolina Courage. The 33-year-old has also played in the WSL, signing for Reading after her contract with Manchester United expired. The defender, who has more than 80 caps, is eager to repay Chambers’ faith, saying: “When you have a coach who expresses their desire to bring you to a club it instantly makes you feel attached and ready to fight for the shirt.”
Euro 2022 delight/heartache
The Belgium midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet had a good Euros both personally and as part of the team. She scored a penalty against Iceland in the group stage and helped her side reach the quarter-finals, where they lost in the last minute to Sweden. The 30-year-old recovered 17 balls and was in possession 190 times. She didn’t have a perfect tournament, with two attempts at goal, one off target, not hitting the back of the net.
Bring on the crowds
Season-ticket sales have increased by almost 500% off the back of England’s Euros win, hitting a record amount for Reading. The club say they are promoting their Euros stars, such as Vanhaevermaet and Norway’s Amalie Eikeland, and trying to boost participation in the sport locally to increase ticket sales throughout the season.
