The Reading FC dilemmas facing Paul Ince ahead of Huddersfield Town clash | OneFootball

Reading will be hoping to continue their positive start to the campaign this afternoon as they face current strugglers Huddersfield Town, who have endured a poor start to the campaign.

The Royals may be slightly inconsistent – but they have kept picking up points and that has guided them to third position – a spot they will want to keep following this weekend’s round of fixtures.

Even they may acknowledge that a third-place finish this season is unrealistic – but the longer they can cling on to that position – the more likely they are to remain afloat in the Championship once again.

Quiz: Did Reading FC win, draw or lose the last time they played at these 18 stadiums?

1 of 18

1. Pride Park (Derby)

Win Draw Lose

Staying up has to be their main assignment this season considering the restrictions they were forced to work within during the summer, with the club limited in what they can spend on wages and the number of players they can have in their first-team squad.

Considering this and the fact Huddersfield reached the play-off final last term, it’s strange that Paul Ince’s men are the favourites to take all three points today, though it won’t be an easy task with Mark Fotheringham looking to claim his first win as the Terriers’ boss.

Looking more at the hosts though, we take a look at some of the dilemmas Ince faces ahead of kick-off.

What formation should they go with?

Soccer Football – Carabao Cup – Reading v Stevenage – Madejski Stadium, Reading, Britain – August 9, 2022 Reading manager Paul Ince Action Images/Matthew Childs EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Ince did try out a back four for large parts of his side’s game against Sunderland shortly before the international break – but they have become accustomed to a back three during the season and this is why they should certainly stick with three central defenders at this stage.

A 3-4-3 system could be an option with the likes of Junior Hoilett and Tom Ince able to operate on the wings, though the latter is probably most effective when in the centre, either as an attacking midfielder or a striker.

And it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Royals’ boss go with two up top again, with Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite starting in front of Tom Ince. Those three can be prolific on their day – and they may only need one to be on top form to get them through today’s assignment.

Andy Carroll is also fit, so it may make sense to start two up front with two of Tyrese Fornah, Jeff Hendrick, Sam Hutchinson and Mamadou Loum starting in a deeper role. A 3-5-1-1 is also an option if Ince wishes to pursue it.

Does Hendrick start?

Soccer Football – UEFA Nations League – Group E – Republic of Ireland v Armenia – Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland – September 27, 2022 Republic of Ireland’s Michael Obafemi celebrates scoring their second goal with Jeff Hendrick Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

It’s difficult to single a player out but Jeff Hendrick probably hasn’t performed up to his normal standards during his time at the Select Car Leasing Stadium thus far.

In pre-season, it looked as though he was going to be an exceptional asset, proving his worth in the final third with goals against the likes of Maidenhead United and AFC Wimbledon.

Although he hasn’t been horrendous this season, he hasn’t contributed a huge amount and missed a golden chance at The Den against Millwall during the latter stages of August to put the game beyond doubt.

With Fornah, Loum, Hutchinson, Amadou Mbengue and others all able to operate in a deep midfield role, he could easily come out of the starting lineup, especially with Ince and Ovie Ejaria able to come in as alternative advanced options.

Hendrick may be versatile – but that may not be enough to keep him in the first 11. Ince has kept faith in him to this point though.

What role does Hutchinson play?

Soccer Football – Championship – Sheffield United v Reading – Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain – August 30, 2022 Reading’s Tom McIntyre and Sam Hutchinson look dejected after the match Action Images/Ed Sykes EDITORIAL USE ONLY

As previously mentioned, Hutchinson can play as a defensive midfielder and operated in that role reasonably effectively against Wigan, but will he start there again?

The fact Naby Sarr won’t be back for another two or three weeks makes it tempting to have the ex-Sheffield Wednesday back in central defence to provide some experience as a more orthodox option than Andy Yiadom.

Considering Tom Holmes and Tom McIntyre are still reasonably young, having Hutchinson in between them won’t do the Royals any harm, though Yiadom is a quicker option at right centre-back and that could be important if the Terriers break forward.

Junior Hoilett and Baba Rahman should be available as wing-backs too, so the Berkshire outfit’s boss should have different options to work with. It’s a nice dilemma for Ince to have, though he won’t want to overthink it ahead of kick-off.