Reading Academy Conveyor Belt Predictions: Reviewed.

Alex looks back on his predictions from just over a year ago about which young players would break into Reading’s first team in 2024/25.

In May 2024, after a successful season for academy players, I analysed their performance and predicted who would be the next to join the first team.

The phrase “attempted” does a lot of the heavy lifting here, because no one saw Andre Garcia happen. In fact, I’m not sure if anyone knew he existed before August 2024. However, if you observed this happen, please contact me since I have some very significant questions about future lottery numbers.

I vowed at the time that I would go over these forecasts to see how foolish I am. Spoiler alert: very daft. However, for the purpose of writing integrity, I’ll go over these forecasts and examine how each player fared throughout the 2024/25 season.

Michael Stickland

He made his debut with the first squad near the end of the season and held his own. The breakthrough was primarily due to the injuries we appeared to accumulate in the middle defensive areas, but he held his own when called upon. Aside from a contentious sending-off against Wrexham, he did not jeopardise his chances.

Stickland is now in talks with the club about extending his contract, which expires at the end of June. Clearly, they see a future for him, and we hope he stays.

Louie Holzman

Stickland’s breakthrough, however, occurred after Holzman had an injury. It’s unclear which of the two was chosen to make the breakthrough, but I believe Stickland was injured at the time of Holzman’s breakthrough. So Holzman arrived.

And Holzman performed well. Then, perhaps because one of the groundskeepers accidently summoned an ancient curse lurking somewhere within the SCL turf, Holzman was added to the injury list, which included pretty much every recognised centre-back in Berkshire, as well as Ben Elliott.

It was also a nasty injury, with a broken cheekbone. However, when numbers were low in the centre of the defence, he put on his protective head/face gear and stepped up for us. He did OK, not exhibiting the potential of early performances this season, but that was understandable given the ailment he was carrying.

Unfortunately, it appears that the club does not agree with me, and Holzman will be discharged at the end of his contract. It’s a shame, but someone out there has the opportunity to sign a fantastic centre-back this summer. Good luck, Louie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sam Paul

Yes, I got this one completely incorrect. Sam Paul was released at the end of the 2023/24 season and joined Havant & Waterlooville in September, signing a one-year contract with the Southern League Premier Division South squad.

There is no statistics to show how many appearances he made for them, and with a contract expiring soon, it is uncertain what the future holds for him.

John Ryan

Ryan had a real Sliding Doors moment at the start of the 2024/25 preseason, sustaining an injury that has kept him out of play for the majority of the season. Given we are screaming out for full-backs who can play on the left, or even full-backs at all (given Michael Craig,

Jeriel Dorsett, Andy Yiadom, and Kelvin Abrefa were all injured at different stages in 2024/25), thus the opportunity was there for him to step in and make an impression.

However, the club sees a future for him and has begun negotiations to extend his contract, despite the fact that it expires at the end of June. Certainly, he’s one to keep an eye on during preseason, since 2025/26 could be the year he breaks into the first team.

Ben Purcell

Purcell, another player who the organisation and I disagreed on, was released at the end of 2023/24. Purcell was signed by Farnham Town and has featured consistently for them in central midfield this season, scoring one goal.

Jay Senga Ngoyi

Around the time Noel Hunt took over management of the first team, Jay Senga appeared to be on the verge of breaking into it. He appeared on the bench a few times, mostly in cup events, and as a replacement on two occasions. However, he never really took off from there and soon found himself back at the academy.

He was a frequent young player, scoring one goal and assisting on another. However, the club has chosen to release him from his contract, which expires in June. It’s unfortunate since he is one player for whom I had high hopes. However, I am confident he will find success somewhere.

Charlie Wellens

He’s never truly had a shot at the first team. It probably doesn’t help that our midfield is so strong, with Harvey Knibbs, Charlie Savage, and Lewis Wing always available. Welles appeared on a regular basis in the academy last season, but did not have the influence that an attacking midfielder is anticipated to have, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

He will also be freed when his contract expires in June.

Adrian Akande

Akande appeared to be on track to make the step up in 2024/25, appearing for the first team on several occasions in August, usually from the bench.

However, once Chem Campbell was brought in on loan, Akande struggled to get much of a look in under either of the two managers.

He’s another player who will be released at the end of this season, which is unfortunate.

Jeremiah Okine-Peters

Okine-Peters, like Wellens, received very little attention from the first squad this season. He did, however, play consistently for the academy team, scoring seven goals and assisting one. This has given the powers that be the confidence to offer him a new contract, and negotiations are under underway.

Given our need for wingers, Okine-Peters could have a big year in the first team if he can sign a new contract.

Basil Tuma

Finally, Tuma. Similar to Akande, he appeared in early-season lineups when attacking reinforcements were few, making four substitute appearances for the main team.

He didn’t play as much for the academy teams this year, and I’m not sure why. Perhaps an injury? He made six appearances, but they resulted in two goals and two assists, so they were at least productive.

Given our severe need for strikers, it makes sense that the club has begun negotiations to extend his contract, which expires in June. However, it appears that 2025/26 will be a make-or-break season for Tuma in terms of a long-term future with the club.

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