The Tilehurst End - A Reading FC Podcast

After two home matches that lead to four points but poor performances, Noel Hunt has been removed as Reading manager. Ben and Ross pick out what did for Noel in the end, and debate the true level of the squad. The boys round up the likely managerial candidates and discuss what they want out of the next Reading manager. Plus, listeners ask whether a top-six challenge in the 2025/26 season is a lost cause. Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song! Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

Ben and Ross are just straight chilling, yo. Maxin’ out and analysing a first Reading loss in a month against the high-flying Bluebirds. Ben challenges Ross to go looking for the positives, and the pair discuss what it will take for Paddy Lane to find the back of the net again. Plus, a healthy mailbag dives into the case for keeping Noel Hunt, and gets at what’s going on with Ben Elliott. Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song!  Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend  Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

Reading go another weekend undefeated, but slip into the relegation zone with just a point against the Grecians. Ben and Ross discuss the form of Jack Marriott and attempt to find some positives in an emerging consistently attempted passage of play. A lengthy listener’s corner sees the pair discuss the upcoming open training day, and the looming match against Cardiff City has the boys comparing Reading’s rebuild to that of the Bluebirds'. Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song!  Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend  Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

Horseshoes, siege equipment and the MK Dons under-21s: it’s all here this week in RG2. Reading remain unbeaten but unconvincing for another week - the boys go looking for positives but come up relatively lacking in the home draw with Mansfield Town and the win over Franchise FC.  Ross reveals the best Reading player - one that never makes the starting lineup, and the two reminisce about the time when they were mere podcast babes in October of 2023. Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song!  Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend  Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

The Royals pick up a point on the road at Stockport County and beat the West Ham United under-21s (plus Tomas Soucek) in a pair of good results. Mark O’Mahony, Jacob Borgnis and Joel Pereira all come in for extra inspection this week. Plus, with the 10th League One game of the season on the horizon, Ben and Ross discuss whether the recent results have come alongside better team performances, or if key personnel have stepped up in important moments. Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song!  Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend  Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

Livestock fills the streets of Reading as the Royals herd three points into their tally against Leyton Orient. Ben and Ross break down the Family Day drama and discuss whether it was a better performance or just a better result.  Plus, the pair choose to record midway through the Wrexham vs Reading game, and bring you a live (and emotional) reaction to that game. There’s also time for a mailbag and preview of the upcoming Stockport County away day.  Apologies for some audio issues in the pod this week! Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song!  Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend  Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

And even more animals than that are invoked to describe Reading’s loss to Barnsley, which saw the Royals plummet back into the relegation zone. The boys pay particular attention to the defensive mistakes that cost the team this week, and wonder how things could be improved. The mailbag sees questions on the shape of the team, and on whether it’s too soon to expect more from Noel Hunt with the 2025/26 squad. Apologies for some audio issues in the pod this week! Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song!  Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

Ross is grumpy. Ben is unsure. The fanbase is divided, and things on the pitch are still stuttering for the Royals. After struggling to a first league win of the season on Saturday, Reading lose to Swindon Town in a game on Tuesday, putting up just one shot on target after going behind in the second half. A mailbag haul sees the fans get involved in force, with regulars and new faces popping in to ponder what’s gone wrong for Reading on the pitch in 2025/26.  Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song!  Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend  Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

Are Reading getting back on track? That’s the main question Ben and Ross ponder after three unbeaten in all competitions. Plus, Matt Ritchie and Jack Marriott arrive and bolster an expanding Royals squad. A mailbag of emails sees the boys discuss both what may increase the pressure on Noel Hunt, and what could have been done in the pre-season to ensure a better start.  Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song!  Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend  Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

Even the hot dogs aren’t up the snuff. It’s really not going well on the pitch for Reading at the start of the 2025/26 season, with the Royals losing a third game on the bounce and sitting on zero points.  Ross dissects why it’s not working on the field, and a light mailbag spurs a long discussion about the first three months under new ownership.  Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song!  Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend  Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

Following Ben’s recent jaunt onto Royals TV, new match commentator Phil Catchpole joins the boys for a reverse fixture on the pod! The lads quiz Phil about his path through football media and put him on the spot about his ties to a certain local club... Phil gives insight on working under Rob Couhig both while at Wycombe Wanderers and Reading, and talks about plans for the club’s media team moving forward. Plus, there’s time for a review of the Portsmouth game, and an exclusive complete ignoring of the Huddersfield Town loss.  Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song!  Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend  Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas Follow Phil on Twitter @bluntphil

The Royals lose their opening day match 2-0 away to Lincoln, despite Ben cheering them o from the press gantry. Ben and Ross break down the game, and discuss what the new signings brought to the table. Ross goes into how Kamari Doyle could help the Royals stale attack, and a lively mailbag wonders if a formation switch might be in the offing.    And there’s time for yet another town to be added to Ben’s list of not-so-favorable places in the UK.  Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song!  Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend  Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

The TTE Extra and TTE Pod teams are together to preview Reading’s 2025/26! Wimb joins Ben and Ross to go over where the squad is at right now and where it could be in a few weeks time. The trio also go through the League One pack for the 2025/26 season, and pick out who might give Reading trouble and who’s there to make up the numbers.  And of course, there’s a final league position prediction from the boys, with Ross at his most optimistic yet.  Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song!  Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend  Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas

With the start of the season drawing ever closer for Reading, Wimb reunites with the Reading Chronicle's James Earnshaw to talk over all the latest transfer news, including updates on some of this summer's triallists and reaction to the club's newest arrival, Liam Fraser. There's also discussion around the changes made behind the scenes at the club following the takeover by Rob Couhig, plus James explains why he's not quite as optimistic about a play-off push this season. As always, thanks to our sponsors ZCZ Films. You can follow James on Twitter @james_e1871 You can follow Wimb on Twitter  @Wimby

The Whitley Bowl is open and Ben is there, but not in the Dolan! Ross picks his brain on Reading’s return to a packed stadium for a pre-season clash with Tottenham Hotspur. The pair discuss the performance against the Europa League champions and touch on the clashes with Gillingham and Swindon Town. A big mailbag includes chat about what Reading still need before the season starts, and what’s yet to emerge among this squad. Thanks as always to our friends at ZCZ Films for sponsoring the pod! Thank you to The Amazons for providing the theme song!  Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter @thetilehurstend  Follow Ross on Bluesky @webberross.bsky.social Follow Ben on Twitter @mrblthomas