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Reading came down from the Premiership most people's favourites to make an instant return to the Premiership especially with the firepower they boasted up front.

Steve Coppell's side when in full flow were a joy to watch and got off to a great start with a draw at Notts Forest before wins over Plymouth and Crystal Palace before a six goal win against Sheffield Wednesday.

At home they were a very tough side to beat winning their first eight home games of the season to put them in a great position. Away from home they were not so strong though and won just once before November.

The performances of the Hunt brothers kept them in contention for promotion with them both banging goals in whilst Kevin Doyle was also impressing up front.

They kind of hit a wall after Christmas though and failed to really put a run of wins together to trouble the top two although a late run meant a final day win over Birmingham could see them promoted. It was not to be though as they lost 2-1 and had to settle for the playoffs.

Those playoffs ended in disappointment as they were thrashed 3-0 on aggregate against Burnley.

Steve Coppell left Reading at the end of last season and it really was the end of an era at Reading as they looked for a new manager. They opted for Brendan Rodgers who did well at Watford last year and is certainly highly rated.

It's going to be a tough job to follow in Coppell's footsteps but he takes over a well run club with a decent squad.

They have lost Kevin Doyle and Leroy Lita this summer along with plenty of experience with Hahnemann and Murty both leaving but that gives Rodgers a clean slate to work with and a fresh start.

He'll look to keep Stephen Hunt at the club who will be a key player if he can be kept happy but it's the young players coming through that will give cause for optimism.

They still have a good squad with Jay Tabb an excellent Championship player whilst Marek Matejovsky looked a good player last season. Rodgers also has good links with his former club Chelsea so they could have the pick of the best youngsters from Stamford Bridge.

I can see them doing well but I think they'll miss the goals of Doyle and will struggle to repeat last season's efforts. A mid table finish for Brendan Rodgers may be seen as a disappointment but I think he'll sow the seeds of a promising new team by the end of the season.

Prediction: 11th in the Championship

Jamie Cureton is the most famous player to have played for both clubs.

Cureton scored the goal that won reading promotion in 2002 and had a good season in the Championship before he moved abroad to Korea. His time at QPR was pretty forgettable as injuries and a loss of form affected him.

Simon Osborn joined QPR from Reading in 1995 as a replacement for Ray Wilkins. Osborn never really settled at QPR and was dropped in favour of Wilkins after a poor start. Osborn was sold within a few months to Wolves in what was a troubled stay at Loftus Road.

Tony Witter and Paul Barron both had loan spells at Reading whilst on the books at QPR whilst wing wizard Michael Meaker also played for both clubs.

The battle of the hoops or the hoops v white backs as it be next season hasn't gone our way in recent years. We haven't beaten Reading since August 1997 when John Spencer got among the goals in a 2-1 win.

IN 2001 Rangers drew 0-0 at home with Reading in division two and the return game was our first ever visit to the Madjeski stadium and saw us lose 1-0. Reading were promoted that year so we didn't face them again until 2004 when Jamie Cureton got himself sent off and we lost 1-0. The return game was another 0-0 bore draw.

In Reading's record breaking promotion season they beat us twice by a single goal. Lee Cook scored at Loftus Road to draw us level but we conceded from a set piece to lose the game 2-1. On the final day of the season Reading needed to win by three goals to break all records but Paul Furlong spoilt the part equalising in the second half before a dodgy late penalty gave Graham Murty his first ever goal for the club.

Last Season both games ended 0-0 with Gareth Ainsworth taking charge of his first game at the Madejski Stadium. At Loftus Road it was the same story with neither side able to break the deadlock.

Click on the match for a report of the game from this web site.