3rd round. Who do we want? We get Reading

[Phil]

Anyone know how many we are giving to Reading and if the whole south stand will be open?

Got my ticket now...

https://twitter.com/ReadingFC/status/1471439338361794565

[Harry Err]

No replays for 3rd and 4th round now. That gives us a slightly better chance albeit still fairly unlikely.

[Flashheart]

No replays for 3rd and 4th round now. That gives us a slightly better chance albeit still fairly unlikely.

Seriously? Very weird to abruptly change the rules midday through the season, but I guess this is life now

[Harry Err]

No replays for 3rd and 4th round now. That gives us a slightly better chance albeit still fairly unlikely.

Seriously? Very weird to abruptly change the rules midday through the season, but I guess this is life now

Apparently due to the expected levels of fixture congestion with so many games higher up being called off. The measures are in place just for this season.

[garthrockett]

Denies us a possible share of a good replay crowd down at Reading too, although theres £82K up for grabs for a penalty shoot out win......

[Flashheart]

No replays for 3rd and 4th round now. That gives us a slightly better chance albeit still fairly unlikely.

Seriously? Very weird to abruptly change the rules midday through the season, but I guess this is life now

Apparently due to the expected levels of fixture congestion with so many games higher up being called off. The measures are in place just for this season.

They said the same last season. And that was without one vaccine, let alone three.

[Harry Err]

Denies us a possible share of a good replay crowd down at Reading too, although theres £82K up for grabs for a penalty shoot out win......

I'm not sure a replay would have been that lucrative really. The state Reading are in at the moment I reckon the crowd at their place wouldn't have been huge. Their last league game attendance was below 12,000 and the previous Tuesday night game vs Sheff Utd only just hit 10,000. Even with lower ticket prices I doubt they'd manage anything near that vs us especially as all STH would have to pay.

A penalty shoot out would be a different ball game though. £82k prize money plus the 4th round revenue and surely TV money would make that a high stakes shoot out.

It could come down to one spot kick to win us more than an entire years budget. Even more weird would be the prospect of such a huge moment taking place in a deserted stadium.

On a more realistic level I wonder if Reading are one of those clubs who forfeit their share of the gate receipts when they play a non-league club? The extra revenue from the game, assuming it is not played closed doors, would make a significant difference to us yet would barely register on their balance sheet.

[Harry Err]

No replays for 3rd and 4th round now. That gives us a slightly better chance albeit still fairly unlikely.

Seriously? Very weird to abruptly change the rules midday through the season, but I guess this is life now

Apparently due to the expected levels of fixture congestion with so many games higher up being called off. The measures are in place just for this season.

They said the same last season. And that was without one vaccine, let alone three.

True although last season weren't all games already behind closed doors on 3rd round weekend? If so then replays seem fairly pointless under such circumstances.

[Tom.10]

All sporting events to be behind closed doors from Boxing Day in Wales. An indication of things to come in England? I hope not, I've bought my ticket and fully intend to attend, though I hope the club have a contingency for the worst case scenario. Would be good if the FA could support in providing a high quality stream if it comes to that.

[Phil]

All sporting events to be behind closed doors from Boxing Day in Wales. An indication of things to come in England? I hope not, I've bought my ticket and fully intend to attend, though I hope the club have a contingency for the worst case scenario. Would be good if the FA could support in providing a high quality stream if it comes to that.

That's the game at Hereford gone then

[Murphy]

Hereford in Wales Phil?

[BobGreenwoodsDad]

I think, technically speaking, Hereford is a bus stop in Wales

[Krasnyi]

If the tie does go ahead on the 8th (and that's a pretty big if, my guess is behind closed doors at best) then Reading will be well and truly rested providing their squad has recovered by then. Their Boxing Day match is now off.

Bought my ticket, eternal optimist that I am though I'm not feeling great about being in such a big crowd even outdoors.

[harry211]

Well rested or rusty? The proof will be in their performance!

[Joe Stalin]

Just a word of praise and thanks to the club, the 2.30pm release or general tickets today worked very smoothly (never in doubt!), as I was unable to make the Halifax game for family reasons.

Fingers crossed now...