Tensions grow after anonymous Reading player criticises Leam Richardson’s tactics

Tensions grow after an anonymous Reading player criticises Leam Richardson’s tactics and man‑management via Reading Chronicle.

A report has emerged on Wednesday morning (15 April), with a source speaking of discontent between the players and Leam Richardson.

The source from within the dressing room told Reading Chronicle that there are complaints of a ‘lack of game time’ for some squad members, players being ‘played out of their natural positions’, the ‘change in formation’ and ‘poor in-game management’.

This comes days after a 1-0 defeat to Doncaster, and it’s not just the fans that have vented their frustration, players also doing so.

The club currently sitting 9th in League One, with 62 points from 43 games played, and are 5 points from the playoffs, but teams above them have games in hand.

The Reading Chronicle says that Leam Richardson is still being backed by the board.

Exclusive: Reading FC dressing room tension grows as an anonymous player who spoke to The Reading Chronicle hits out at Leam Richardson’s tactics and man‑management.#readingfchttps://t.co/yehI5bVB0m

— Ramy Abou-Setta (@ramy_abousetta) April 15, 2026

I’m absolutely reading in to this.

A couple of hours before the story breaks Mrs R changes her profile picture to the trophies LR has won.

IMO they knew it was coming and that’s a massive f*ck you to the player and likely the fans for the grief he’s getting.#Readingfc pic.twitter.com/KG1VloiKUi

— Guilty, I support Reading (@Reading106) April 15, 2026

Leam Richardson said after defeat to Doncaster, as per the club website: “It’s very disappointing, especially the performance.

“I thought Doncaster played the conditions miles better than we did. It took us a while to get going. We needed to show the intensity that we did in the last 20 minutes for the whole game, but it wasn’t to be. We should have had a penalty early on, which could have swayed the game, but there’s no excuse — we’ve fallen short today.”

On dealing with the conditions: “It has been a bit of an Achilles heel for us and we’ve got to be better at it. We can’t always just play the way we want to play. We’ve got to adapt, overcome and take the challenge as it is. We’ve fallen short in those types of games, and that’s something we need to improve.”

On the playoff picture: “Mathematically, it’s still there, so we’ll keep pushing to make sure, but realistically, it’s a big ask now. When I came into the club, we were looking over our shoulder at relegation and the group was low on confidence. To take it to a position where we’re pushing towards the playoffs is pleasing, but to fall short is disappointing. This club deserves to be in a really good place, and it’s my job to lead that moving forward.”

On the mood in the dressing room: “You can imagine after the last few games. We were 30 seconds away from a really good win on Friday, then an individual error at Huddersfield, and I felt we took that into today. We tried to lift the players and drive them, but ultimately we fell short. It’s disappointing for the fans who travelled and supported us so well — it’s my job to make sure they have better days.”

On the final three games: “You learn a lot about each other, about yourself and about the group. It’s important now that we keep improving, evolving and trying to be a better version of ourselves. We’ve got three games to go, and we need to finish the season strong. It’s about both looking to the future and making sure we’ve got the right people in the right roles, but also driving the group to get results.”

Here’s the fan reaction as tensions grow after an anonymous Reading player criticises Leam Richardson’s tactics and man-management…

@ronniemac93: Good on the player. Someone who clearly cares about the club. Hopefully @RCouhig will listen to the fans and players. Get him gone

@RustyRoyal: That will be a player not seen in a Reading shirt again then (under LR). That’s if he was getting a game anyway.

@JWSPMA: Just get him out asap @RCouhig

@princessmacd: His wife has changed her profile pic this morning to 4 pics of him and Wigan trophies etc 🤔👀

@Nozzzaaaa: Well done on the player – if you’ve lost the dressing room it’s practically all over! Not sure why Rob and Todd can’t see this but… 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Lee_UuRrZz: So that mean the player gone and the manager gets to keep his job 😂 @RCouhig time to sort it out

@Michael_BHunter: Knew this was going to happen. Just get rid of him now @RCouhig

@ElmRoyal: @RCouhig @joe_jacobson you want ticket sales and good commercials. Richardson needs to be gone to get that

@TransfernewsRFC: Another reason we should back the players. They are clearly pissed off with Leam and fair play to whoever spoke out ! Time to rally together and make a change ! #readingfc

@notrating1: I don’t mind this, clearly it’s got to the point (which we all knew the club had reached) where something needs to be done, otherwise players are leaving and the club goes backwards #readingfc

@Reading106: So if the cub think that people who are unhappy are just a few losers (🙋🏻‍♂️) on Twitter then this will be a massive wake up. Fans in general aren’t happy. Players aren’t happy. And now, surely, the owners and manager aren’t happy. What an absolute shit-show. #Readingfc

@notrating1: The fact people are naming half the squad as a potential leak says something about the state we’re in with Richardson in charge 😂 #readingfc

@dinghugo6: Vote with ur feet if u really want him gone. Cardiff and Blackpool at home. Stay away. Don’t bother going to watch that shite and it might send him and the ownership a message. If he’s here come pre season, that’s a waste of another season in l1. #readingfc

@Reading106:Who’s got a hold of the dressing room then? Seems absolute shit to pieces.Owner ❌Manager ❌Captain ❌#Readingfc

– @AJKendrick: Bad managers get found out by good (enough) players. Nothing “the player” says is at all surprising and is almost parotting what every #readingfc fan sees and says week in, week out. Bad appointment, style, tactics, man management, no where near suited to this squad.

– @pott95: That’ll be the Reading Chronicle banned from future #readingfc press conferences and coverage then 😂

‘Players are unhappy with a lack of game time for some squad members, players being played out of their natural positions, frequent changes in formation and poor in-game management.’

Not just the fans then, @RCouhig. #readingfc https://t.co/YwAHmwvC2S pic.twitter.com/eXW2HEJyhK

— RFC Latest (@RFCLatest) April 15, 2026

So what’s the club statement going to say?

“We’re aware of the article””Disappointed the player didn’t feel they could speak to us””Leam has our backing and we hope to end the season on a high”

Etc etc#Readingfc

— Guilty, I support Reading (@Reading106) April 15, 2026