2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup Fourth Round (replay) vs Birmingham City (a) - lost 2-1. Carling Cup Fourth Round vs Arsenal (a) - lost 3-0.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Dave Kitson (striker) - 22 goals.
Players In Seol Ki-Hyeon (Wolves - ?1,500,000), Sam Sodje (Brentford - ?350,000), Graham Stack (Arsenal - Loan).
Players Out John Mullins (Mansfield Town - Free), Jamie Young (Wycombe Wanderers - Free), Ryan Crockford (Released), Conor Sinnott (Released), Darren Campbell (Released), Ryan Catney (Released), Simieon Howell (Released).
Reading stormed the Championship last season and lost just two league matches all campaign, incidentally the curtain raiser at home to Plymouth Argyle and then Luton Town in February - which left a mammoth 33 match unbeaten run in between.
The Premiership will be a much tougher level to play at and manager Steve Coppell seems content to give his current squad a fair crack of the whip since he has not been prolific in the transfer market this summer.
Wolves striker Seol Ki-Hyeon has been the Royals' most expensive acquisition at ain initial ?1 million rising potentially by a further ?500,000. The South Korean signed for the Midlands outfit from Anderlecht two summers ago in a ?1.2 million transfer.
Brentford defender joined an exodus of players leaving Griffin Park and bought himself a ticket to Premiership football in a ?350,000 transfer. The Nigerian international has gone from non league football with Margate to top flight football in just two seasons, making 100 appearances for Brentford in between.
Coppell has also shown interest in ?3.5 million rated Ghana centre back John Mensah, contracted to Rennes and who impressed during the World Cup and gave a trial to Cameroon defender Andre Bikey, available on a free transfer from Lokomotiv Moscow.
Left back Nicky Shorey, who made the Professional Footballers' Association's Championship team of last season, signed a two year contract extension to tie him to the club until 2009 while winger Bobby Convey agreed a new three year deal after being granted a work permit. The 23 year old featured in all three of the USA's matches in the World Cup.
Verdict Reading will take heart from the excellent first season's both Wigan Athletic and West Ham United enjoyed last term, although both side's spent a lot more money than the Royals have done presently. The club may also be without the services of contract rebel Steve Sidwell, who rejected the offer of a new deal to stay at the Madjeski Stadium.
2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup Third Round vs Colchester United (h) - lost 2-1. Carling Cup Third Round vs Reading (a) - lost 2-0.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Neil Shipperley (striker) - 11 goals.
Players In Claude Davis (Preston North End - ?2,500,000), Rob Hulse (Leeds United - ?2,200,000), Mikele Leigertwood (Crystal Palace - ?600,000), Chris Lucketti (Preston North End - ?300,000), David Sommeil (Manchester City - Free), Li Tie (Everton - Free), Christian Nade (Troyes - Free), Ian Bennett (Leeds United - Free).
Players Out Bruce Dyer (Doncaster Rovers - Free), Simon Francis (Southend United - Free), Luke Beckett (Huddersfield Town - Free), Gary Mulligan (Gillingham - Free), Phil Barnes (Grimsby Town - Free), Jonathan Forte (Doncaster Rovers - Loan), Kevan Hurst (Chesterfield - Loan), Ian Ross (Notts County - Loan), Brian Dean (Released), Gary Flitcroft (Released).
Sheffield United returned to the top flight after a 12 year absence, but manager Neil Warnock will have his work cut out to ensure their arrival lasts longer than just a single season.
The Blades have spent the most money of the three promoted clubs, buying in the best Championship talent money can buy, along with a few shrewd free transfers of players who have experience at Premiership level.
Warnock enjoys having a plethora of strikers to choose from and with five senior forwards already available, Warnock signed another two this summer. Leeds United striker Rob Hulse signed in a deal which could rise from an initial ?2.2 million to ?3 million. Hulse scored 14 goals for Kevin Blackwell's side last season. French striker Christian Nade signed a three year deal at the club following spells at Troyes and Le Havre.
Following Preston North End's almost watertight defence last season, they became the subject of a ?2.8 million joint raid for duo Claude Davis and veteran Chris Lucketti, while Manchester City defender David Sommeil joined the club on a free transfer. Sommeil cost City ?3.4 million three years ago but was restricted to just 17 appearances last season.
Sheffield United signed China international Li Tie following his release from Everton. After joining the club three years ago on a permanent basis he missed the past two campaigns through injury. Crystal Palace defender Mikele Leigertwood arrived in ?600,000 deal.
Verdict The Blades have invested heavily in new players but it will all be in vain. Back Neil Warnock's side with confidence to go down at 8/13.
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