Right-back Andy Griffin signed for the club for a nominal fee on 1 July, having made 25 league appearances for Reading, on loan from Stoke City in the 2009–10 season.

The Royals then departed on tour to Slovenia, where they enjoyed a 3–1 victory over a Red Star Belgrade B-side, a game in which Marcus Williams made his first appearance for the club.

Alex Pearce headed a first-half response for Reading, after Belgrade had taken the lead, and Simon Church sealed the victory with two second-half goals.

A third consecutive win followed, as Reading defeated top-flight Croatian side Inter Zaprešić 2–0, with goals from Matt Mills and James Henry.

Returning to England, Reading got back to winning ways, coming from behind to beat Wycombe Wanderers 2–1, thanks to goals from Gylfi Sigurðsson, from the penalty spot, and Hal Robson-Kanu.

Another 2–1 victory followed in the Royals penultimate pre-season friendly, as another Sigurðsson penalty, and a second half goal from Michail Antonio saw Reading past Wolverhampton Wanderers.

After the visitors had taken an early lead through a disputed Garry Thompson goal – the linesman flagging for offside and subsequently overruled by the referee – Gylfi Sigurðsson put Reading on level terms from 25 yards.

Despite enjoying spells of pressure, the Royals were unable to find another goal, and Rob Jones headed home a corner to give Scunthorpe the victory.

Reading progressed to the second round of the League Cup with a narrow victory over Torquay United, Grzegorz Rasiak bundling home the winner in the final minute of extra-time.

A league draw at Portsmouth followed, the Royals coming from behind to take a point as Jimmy Kébé poked the ball home in the 87th minute following a goal-mouth scramble.

Reading went back into the lead with a goal from Hal Robson-Kanu after some saves from the Northampton goalkeeper Oscar Jansson, but again Hamer erred, granting Kevin Thornton the equaliser.

Jem Karacan's shot was steered in well by Church and Matt Mills was sent off for two bookable offences; this marked three Reading red cards in three games.

The Royals went behind in the first-half with a goal from Preston's Keith Treacy, but in the 55th minute, Reading drew level through a sensational 25-yard volley from Jem Karacan.

Reading then lost at home to Swansea City by a slim margin, Scott Sinclair giving ex-Reading manager Brendan Rodgers a happy return with his new Swans side.

Reading where back playing in the Championship on 19 March away at Barnsley; it was a close game, with the winner for the Royals coming in the 71st minute thanks to second-half substitute Mathieu Manset.

On 25 April, a Monday, Reading lost their recent unbeaten record of 13 games in a 3–2 defeat at home to relegation threatened Sheffield United.