We've got one ******* of an SEC season on our hands, huh?
No one is left undefeated, and the top of the table is a four-way tie between Tennessee, Georgia, Ole Miss, and… Kentucky?? And let's be honest, none of their losses were great. Tennessee dropped a home game to Texas, which has looked like a shell for two weeks. Georgia got punked by Auburn (again at home.) Ole Miss got run over by Florida which looks like the best or the worst team in the conference depending on when you tune in. And Kentucky didn't just get beat by Alabama in Lexington… they got waxed.
Mizzou fans might be down in the dumps after the Tigers' embarrassing showing in Oxford, but we're halfway through the season and have no idea how it's going to turn out. For all we know, Mizzou controls its own destiny. So it might as well start on Monday by resting up and getting ready for the Halloween showdown against Arky. Hopefully the rest of the conference can keep the chaos rolling in Week 8 and create an opening for Eli Drinkwitz's squad.
Some interesting lines this week for those of you watching. Auburn is getting no respect after waltzing into Athens and taking down Georgia, as they're giving 8.5 points to Lane Kiffin's up-and-down Bayou Bengals. Meanwhile, South Carolina is a one score favorite over conference leader Tennessee, while Texas – which is currently considering benching its two-year starter!! – is a 3.5-point favorite over an Ole Miss team that just beat a fellow ranked conference opponent by four scores.
Think you have any clue what's going to happen this week? Good for you. Check out the opening odds at FanDuel and press your luck. Because that's all you can count on at this point.

#georgia

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were recently spotted enjoying lunch at a historic pub near their Cotswolds home, marking their first public date since returning from California.
The couple also shared some light PDA during the outing, while Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were at school.
MEGA
The Duke and ******* ss of Sussex kept things casual during their October 2 visit to the Falkland Arms pub in Oxfordshire.
An insider said the couple was "warmly welcomed" but received no special treatment from the staff.

#couple #california #princess

A quiet pub lunch for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has created considerably more noise online. The Duke and ****** ss of Sussex were photographed holding hands while walking to a historic Cotswolds pub during their latest stay in Britain. Although the couple reportedly behaved like ordinary customers once inside, their photographed arrival quickly became the focus of a heated debate. Critics accused the Sussexes of importing a "Hollywood circus" into the picturesque English countryside, while others questioned why two private citizens grabbing lunch had become news at all.
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Harry and Meghan were photographed heading to The Falkland Arms in Great Tew, Oxfordshire, on October 1, marking their first joint public outing in Britain since returning to the country. According to The Sun, the couple held hands as they approached the traditional 16th-century pub. Meghan wore an all-black ensemble with contrasting white shoes, while Harry dressed casually in jeans and a jacket. He completed his outfit with a Santa Barbara Fire Department baseball cap. Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were reportedly at school during the outing. The couple apparently opted for hearty British dishes once inside. Meghan reportedly ordered gluten-free beer-battered haddock and chips with mushy peas and tartare sauce, while Harry selected chicken, ham and leek pie served with mashed potatoes, greens and gravy.
MEGA
The cozy outing drew a considerably less welcoming response from some social-media users.

#reportedly

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are settling into their life in the U.K.
In photos shared and published by The Sun, Harry, 42, and Meghan, 45, were seen holding hands as they made their way to lunch at a pub in the Cotswolds called The Falkland Arms.
The Sussexes were dressed down for the occasion, with Meghan opting for an all-black look in a sweater and jeans, which she paired with white sneakers. Harry, meanwhile, wore a light puffer jacket, gray T-shirt and jeans, completing the outfit with a pair of sneakers and a Santa Barbara fire department baseball cap, a nod to their former U.S. home.
The pair each sported sunglasses, keeping a relatively low profile as they were seen looking at a menu board outside the 16th-century pub in Great Tew, Oxfordshire.
According to the outlet, Meghan ate gluten-free beer-battered haddock and chips with mushy peas and tartar sauce, while Harry enjoyed a chicken, ham and leek pie with seasonal greens, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy.

#meghan #pair #markle #cotswolds

Andy Burnham has warned of a "challenging" Budget as the Iran war drives up oil and gas prices.
The Prime Minister said he would do what he could to ease the cost of living after the Middle East conflict pushed price rises to a five-month high.
Mr Burnham branded the latest up-tick in inflation a "concern", as official figures showed the headline rate rose from 2.9pc in July to 3.1pc in August. However, he insisted that Britain's economy had shown "resilience across the board".
His warning of a difficult Budget in October will raise fears of tax rises as the fallout from the Iran war continues to weaken the public finances and erode the Government's fiscal headroom.
Oxford Economics has warned that the Chancellor will need to find £11bn if he wants to maintain the same wiggle room on the Treasury's books.

#warned #rises

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry was joking about sending Lane Kiffin into Oxford on an F-16. But that joke came up in the first place because Saturday night isn't shaping up to be a warm welcome. No. 7 LSU has opened the 2026 season in style, crushing Clemson 51-10 before rolling past Louisiana Tech 45-14. But the real test starts now, and it's one where emotions run high.
LSU's SEC opener comes at Ole Miss, where Lane Kiffin will make his first return to Oxford since leaving the Rebels for Baton Rouge. Jeff Landry, speaking with ESPN, understands what awaits.
"I'm thinking about having to send him in on an F-16 and maybe the team on a C-130," he said. "Security is going to be really tight. You know, we might need the National Guard out there to protect our team. I think it's going to be an interesting weekend."
That exaggeration may be a joke, but the governor also revealed that his office has already been in contact with Mississippi officials about security for the LSU contingent.
Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford is going to be electric. Subscribe for more interesting stories.

#kiffin

LSU visiting Ole Miss would likely have been considered the top matchup for Week 3 of the college football season with the Tigers ranked No. 7 and the Rebels right behind them at No. 8 in the AP Top 25 poll.
But Saturday's game also comes with a significant dose of intrigue and potential drama with Lane Kiffin returning to Oxford, Mississippi after leaving Ole Miss for LSU before the end of last season.
How Kiffin will be greeted by Rebels fans is the great question leading up to Saturday night's SEC clash. Some are even concerned that the tensions could get out of hand with outraged fans wanting to lash out at Kiffin.
Included among those is Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. Well, sort of. While he acknowledged that feelings will surely be heightened, the governor joked about what measures might be necessary to ensure the safety of Kiffin and the LSU football team.
"I'm thinking about having to send him in on an F-16 and maybe the team on a C-130," Landry said to ESPN's Mark Schlabach. "Security is going to be really tight. You know, we might need the National Guard out there to protect our team. I think it's going to be an interesting weekend."

#team

Paul Byrne, Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki
Liam Brady signed the Dublin born winger from Bangor, having been impressed with his terrific form with the Northern Irish side. Form that saw him scoop each of the club's four player of the year awards in a season they won the domestic cup, with Paul himself scoring in the final.
Paul had started his professional career in England with Oxford United, but his time at the U's was by all accounts a disaster, so he decided to up-sticks, and head back nearer to home in a bid to reinvent himself.
It worked, as he was soon a Celtic player, the stuff of dreams for any Dublin youngster, especially with Irish legend Brady in charge of the Hoops, and despite the club being in turmoil on and off the park, it was great honour and opportunity for the 20 year old Byrne.
Paul Byrne, Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki

#paul #irish #form

It's here.
Game week for the most highly-anticipated game of the 2026 college football regular season has arrived. Come Saturday, Sept. 19, Lane Kiffin will be making his return to Oxford, Mississippi as the head coach of LSU football to face the Ole Miss Rebels, his former team.
For the first time in more than 60 years, No. 8 LSU (2-0) and No. 9 Ole Miss (2-0) enter the Magnolia Bowl both ranked inside the top 10, giving the game even more buzz.
LSU'S REALITY CHECK BEFORE OLE MISS LSU football's ugly win vs La. Tech could serve as 'reality check'
WHAT WENT WRONG FOR SAM LEAVITT V LATECH What went wrong for LSU football's Sam Leavitt against Louisiana Tech

#miss #game #went #Football

Emily Vella netted four goals to lead the Jonathan Law girls soccer team to a 5-4 win over Oxford on Saturday afternoon.
Gianna Depina added a goal and an ***** ist for Law.
Emily Zulali, Macayla Samorajczyk, Addie Wheeler and Kyla DeCrescenzo scored for Oxford.
In boys soccer action, Jordan Saetama scored two goals to lead Abbott Tech to a 5-1 victory over Coginchaug.
For more results and box scores, follow our scoreboard:

#scored

WOODBURY - Juniors PJ Galullo and TJ Rubsamen are two veteran players for a very young Nonnewaug co-op football team that's navigating its first season in the Naugatuck Valley League.
That duo combined to help the Chiefs claim a hard-fought 12-6 win over Oxford on Friday night at Nonnewaug High School. It was the inaugural NVL game and season opener for Nonnewaug.
"It was a good move for us to put our program in there," Chiefs coach Scott Lynch said.
An aesthetically pleasing game it most certainly was not, but a win's a win from Nonnewaug's point of view.
"It was ugly, but we got the job done tonight," Rubsamen said.

#chiefs

Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM) reported fiscal second-quarter net sales of $394.4 million, down 2.2%. Full-price direct-to-consumer sales declined 1%, while wholesale sales fell 14%, primarily reflecting lower off-price sales.
GAAP gross margin increased to 73.8% from 61.4% after Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM) recognized approximately $42 million of tariff refund claims as a reduction of cost of goods sold. Company-defined non-GAAP adjusted gross margin, excluding tariff refunds and LIFO effects, still improved to 63.1% from 61.7%. Updated **** ortment, sourcing, and pricing strategies increased initial markups, while lower off-price wholesale sales improved the sales mix.
Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM) lowered full-year sales guidance to $1.43 billion to $1.47 billion from $1.475 billion to $1.505 billion. Company-defined non-GAAP adjusted EPS guidance fell to $1.60 to $2.00 from $2.30 to $2.70, reducing the midpoint by 28%. Adjusted EPS excludes LIFO effects, tariff refunds and related interest, Johnny Was amortization, distribution-center relocation costs, merchandising initiatives, store-closure impairments and related taxes.
Underlying margin expansion suggests Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM) improved product economics beyond the one-time refund. Company-defined non-GAAP adjusted operating income, which excludes LIFO effects, tariff refunds and related interest, Johnny Was amortization, and specified distribution-center, merchandising, and store-closure costs, increased to $29.3 million from $28.3 million. Adjusted operating margin rose to 7.4% from 7.0%.
Tommy Bahama remained the strongest major brand for Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM), with sales increasing 0.8% and adjusted gross margin rising to 63.6% from 60.7%. FIFO inventory fell $9 million, or 4%, from one year earlier, reducing markdown exposure.

#gaap

OXFORD — Ole Miss football is ranked No. 11 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, which was released Sept. 8.
It's one spot lower than the preseason poll. The Rebels were No. 10 in the initial rankings.
Ole Miss (1-0) is coming off a 41-38 win on the road at Louisville on Sept. 6. The Rebels won on a game-winning 48-yard field goal from kicker Lucas Carneiro. Coach Pete Golding said the Rebels have plenty of things to clean up.
Ole Miss will host Charlotte (0-1) in Week 2 on Sept. 12 (6:45 p.m., ESPN2). Charlotte lost 43-41 to The Citadel in Week 1 in a game that went to three overtimes.
Here is the full US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 1.

#charlotte #oxford

Meghan Markle has been sighted for the first time since returning to the UK, according to multiple reports.
The ***** ss of Sussex, 45, was spotted at Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds last Friday, according to Daily Beast editor-at-large Tom Sykes and reports inThe Guardian.
Meghan was said to have arrived at the Comfy Farm lounge before 9am at the retreat in North Oxfordshire, which is one of the potential areas Meghan and Harry could have set up home.
Members of Soho Farmhouse said Meghan had an early morning coffee and was introduced to senior staff members by name and with "considerable fanfare", Tom Sykes reported.
Meghan Markle has been sighted in the UK for the first time (pictured in April) (@ Getty Images)

#first #time

Former Leicester City defender Conor Coady says the problems at his old club "have got to run deeper" than the manager and players after their difficult start to life in League One.
And in a candid admission, the former England international revealed he could feel the decline during his two-season spell in the East Midlands.
Leicester sit 18th with five points from their opening five matches and were beaten 4-0 at home by Oxford United on Saturday.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Coady said the club had been "in transition too long" following three relegations in the past four seasons.
"There's got to be something deep down that's wrong here because it's been going on for too many years," he added.

#coady #league #east

When it comes to fashion, the first person on your mind would probably not be Rosie O'Donnell. Although O'Donnell has had a complete Hollywood transformation, the noted comedian is known more for being an accomplished talk show host while delivering whip-sharp quips. But it appears she also knows a thing or two about dressing herself for a wedding, especially her youngest son's wedding. Blake O'Donnell got married in August 2024 and Rosie made sure she was dressed in her best for the occasion.
rosie/Instagram
Instead of a typical dress, O'Donnell opted for a sharp suit, as seen in the image above, that she posted to her Instagram account. The custom made suit was champagne-colored, with floral motifs adorning both the blazer and pants. She wore a pair of white Oxford shoes, keeping her graying hair in a short neat cut. Not only is the outfit ideal and comfortable, it also serves as the perfect alternative to a dress for older women. O'Donnell definitely rocked this look to a T, looking stunning as she and her son shared a wholesome mother-son dance to Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time."
Read more: The Full Gorgeous Transformation Of General Hospital's Kate Mansi
Neil Mockford/Getty Images

#o 'donnell #time #sharp

Former Peterborough United and Hull City striker - and Final Score pundit - Aaron McLean gives his five takeaways following Saturday's action in the Championship, League One and League Two.
Russell Martin's Leicester are 17th in League One having only won one of their opening five league matches [Getty Images]
Questions are already being asked about Russell Martin after Leicester fell to a 4-0 defeat by Oxford United at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes are looking for a return to the Championship at the first time of asking after being relegated last season.
McLean: "I think that it's been difficult for Russell to come into a club that over the past couple of seasons has been on a constant decline and there's been a huge turnover of players.
"His biggest challenge is changing the environment and the mindset of the players. He's also at a club where there's huge pressure being in League One. For a club of that magnitude it's unacceptable.

#championship

After spending six years in Montecito, California, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have now returned to the UK. However, a new report claims that their homecoming has made little difference to Prince William and Kate Middleton. The news comes as the brothers' bond remains deeply strained since Megxit, fractured by explosive interviews and claims in Harry's memoir, "Spare."
After years across the Atlantic, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to the UK last week with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Yet a friend of the Waleses has said that the move "won't make any difference" in mending fences with Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Before making their surprise comeback, the Duke and ******* ss of Sussex were seen at King Charles's Highgrove residence in Gloucestershire back in July. Royal observers interpreted the visit as a bid to rebuild relations with the royal family. It follows backlash over their media appearances and Harry's 2023 book, "Spare."
But a confidant of Prince William and Kate Middleton told the Daily Mail, "It makes no difference if Harry and Meghan are in Oxfordshire, California or Timbuktu. William and Catherine will continue their lives of public service. They intend to lead by example."
In fact, the royal heir is heading to India in November, with reports suggesting that Princess Catherine could join him. William will head to India for the Earthshot Prize in November 2026, though organizers have not yet confirmed the exact dates. While the Princess of Wales' attendance remains unconfirmed, the trip would mark the pair's first overseas visit since the Sussexes' return to the UK.

#meghan

VC investment in quantum computing notched a record $2 billion in Q2 across 23 deals, accounting for a third of dollars in the chips and datacenters vertical, according to a new PitchBook report.
Quantum's marquee event this quarter was Quantinuum's IPO, which accounted for most of the $19 billion in quantum exit value and was the first major test of the technology in public markets. On the VC side, Oxford Quantum Circuits raised a £260 million Series C led by Bullhound Capital.
Strategics are eyeing quantum technologies, too. Miraex, a quantum hardware startup, was bought in June following Quantum Circuits $538 million sale earlier this year.
Overall, investment in chips and datacenters fell for the second consecutive quarter, hitting $6.6 billion across 133 deals in Q2. Despite the pullback from recent highs, 2026 is still on pace to exceed 2025's record of $21.6 billion.
The declines were concentrated in semiconductor chip design startups, which posted their weakest quarter since Q1 2025 at $1.7 billion. While newer chip design entrants like Etched, d-Matrix, and Ricursive Intelligence are making waves, the dominance of larger players has given investors pause.

#investment #across #deals #datacenters

'Keep him away from the sorority girls': Lane Kiffin story from Nick Saban's Alabama days reveals surprising side of LSU coach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The LSU football program has remained one of the biggest topics ahead of the 2026 season. Since Lane Kiffin was picked up on the tarmac in Oxford, Miss. by Tigers officials, he's been public enemy No. 1 in several circles. Now that he's preparing for his high-profile debut at LSU, the heat has simmered down a bit. That was until Wednesday morning and the timing for Kiffin's haters is golden.
In a Vanity Fair excerpt from author John Talty's book "Lane Being Lane: The Story of Lane Kiffin," which is available on Sept. 15, 2026, we get to see the longtime coach's true colors from a different time in his life. A portion of the book details his time at Alabama on Nick Saban's staff in the mid-2010s.
Kiffin was suspected to be in the midst of a rough patch in life. He was accused of having an affair with his wife, Layla, who divorced him a decade ago, leaving Lane alone as a bachelor-type in Tuscaloosa. But they're back together after their 2016 divorce.
"While Kiffin would not be fired for "banging," off-field behavior did reach Saban's desk. Terry Saban, Nick's wife, had heard through friends that Kiffin, then living separately from his wife Layla and his children who were in California, was out and about on the town trying to pick up women. It led Saban to tell at least one staff member to give Kiffin some helpful advice.

#lane #saban

As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue their house hunting in the U.K., fans and foes are following updates about where they might land.

Speculation continues to swirl about where in the Cotswolds they could buy a house, how many millions they might spend and which private prep school their children, Archie and Lilibet, are enrolled in.
Spanning 800-square miles and consisting of five counties — Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire — the Cotswolds is known for its rolling hills, golden stone, gardens and storybook towns and villages.
More from WWD
Dakota Fanning Gives the Thong Sandal Trend a Tenniscore Spin for Polo Ralph Lauren
A Look Back at Meghan Markle's Designer 'Suits' Heels and Her Shoe Obsession Before Royalty

#lilibet

Oxford United have signed winger Luka Lynch from Aston Villa on loan until January.
The 19-year-old arrives having been part of the Premier League club's academy since he joined from West Bromwich Albion aged 14.
Lynch featured 11 times for Villa's under-21s last season, scoring four goals. During the 2024-25 season he was a part of the under-18s squad which won the FA Youth Cup, and the U18s Premier League ****** le.
Oxford head coach Aaron Ramsey described Lynch as "an exciting young winger".
"He's direct, has good ability in one-on-one situations and has the confidence to make things happen in the final third," Ramsey told the club website.

#premier #season #luka

Follow live text and score updates from 19 matches across League One & Two (all 19:45 kick-offs)
League One: In our featured games, Bradford host Cambridge, Huddersfield welcome Oxford & Bromley take on Leyton Orient.
Doncaster v Notts County, Leicester v Plymouth, Peterborough v Stevenage & Wycombe v Sheffield Wednesday make up the remaining four fixtures.
League Two: In our main matches, Crewe welcome Walsall, Rochdale meet Shrewsbury & Tranmere host Rotherham
Bristol Rovers v Colchester, Cheltenham v York, Chesterfield v Gillingham, Exeter v Barnet, Fleetwood v Oldham, Northampton v Crawley, Salford v Newport & Swindon v Port Vale complete the L2 fixtures

#host #follow

New Boston College head coach Luke Murray has outlined plans to bring over many aspects of the UConn men's basketball program, from the Huskies' deliberate offensive approach to instilling a collective, team-first approach.
Murray placed the finishing touches on his debut coaching staff in Chestnut Hill over the past week, bringing yet more UConn flavor to his new home. The 41-year-old, first-time head coach hired three staff members with Connecticut ties last week, and on Monday afternoon, Murray hired Jared Terrell as a graduate ****** istant, one of Dan Hurley's best players during his time at Rhode Island.
Terrell, a consensus top-100 recruit out of Brewster Academy, marked a major early win for Hurley during his time in Rhode Island. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard shattered his lofty expectations with nearly 1,800 career points and a standout senior season, averaging 16.8 points on over 41% shooting from 3-point range for a Rhode Island squad that reeled off 16 straight wins and reached the NCAA Tournament Second Round. Terrell played one season on a two-way contract with Minnesota after he was not picked in the 2018 NBA Draft and made international stops in Turkey, Ukraine and Israel before his 2023 retirement.
As for Murray's other additions, Chris Mastrangelo arrives in Chestnut Hill as the Director of Basketball Administration after seven seasons with UConn, rising from student manager to the ****** istant Director of Basketball Operations. Andre Berry, who also played under Hurley in Rhode Island, joins Murray's staff as a player development ****** istant after graduating from UConn with a master's degree in sports management two years ago.
Hartford native Jared Jordan, who won national ****** ist ****** les at Marist in consecutive seasons and was selected in the 2007 NBA Draft, also joins the Boston College staff as Director of Player Development. Jordan, a Kingswood-Oxford graduate, enjoyed a 13-year playing career, largely in Europe, where he remains the all-time ****** ist leader in the German Bundesliga.

#rhode #director

It's goosebump time.
Every week it has become tradition to have an Ole Miss hype video with a former player coming back to narrate. This week it was a "kid from Largo" – Dexter McCluster.
Good ole number 22 was one of the most electrifying runners of the ball the last 25 or so years in Oxford. He rushed for more than 1,900 yards and totaled more than 3,600 total scrimmage yards during his four seasons at Ole Miss. In 2009, he became the first player in SEC history to rush for more than 1,000 yards and have more than 500 receiving yards in the same season.
McCluster also holds the single game rushing record of 282 yards against Tennessee, which if you were in attendance, was one of the more fun days of the Houston Nutt era.
Take it away RUNDMC.

#player #dexter #oxford

After their surprise return to the UK, Prince Harry and Meghan's new home is not on a royal estate -- but may be nestled in a quaint rural corner of England, now a playground for A-list celebrities.
The couple left for California in 2020 amid acrimony over their bitter criticisms of the royal family, and gave up for good their home in Windsor, west of London, gifted to them by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
But after six years in Montecito they have now returned along with their children Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, and have reportedly found a new home in the Cotswolds.
In the picturesque town of Burford, near the university city of Oxford, hospitality manager Joe Kind, 25, told AFP locals were used to "lots of really, really famous" faces.
People wouldn't "bat an eye" at the couple's presence and would leave them to enjoy their privacy, he said.

#harry

While some of us may get embarrassed by our family at our graduation, this wasn't the case for Belgium's Prince Gabriel.
The Belgian royal, who is second in line to the throne, received his degree in Social and Military Sciences from the Royal Military Academy. He was joined by his parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, with both Philippe and Gabriel wearing their military uniforms.
Gabriel's older sister, Princess Elisabeth, was also at the ceremony, and while she didn't initially join Gabriel's photos, when they locked eyes, Gabriel invited his sister to join the family.
Elisabeth, 24, previously graduated from the Royal Military Academy in 2023, before going on to study at Oxford and Harvard universities.
Elisabeth joined her family after Gabriel's invitation (@ Photonews via Getty Images)

#gabriel #family #academy #joined

We're all done with match action from the first month of the new season, a tad earlier than originally planned. Reading's trip to Oxford United, initially set for August 29, was postponed due to a clash with Reading Festival (at time of writing there's no confirmation on when this game will move to).
We have however had five games across all competitions: two in League One, two in the League Cup and one in the Pizza Vase. Reading have recorded one normal-time win (3-0 at Stevenage) as well as two 1-1 draws that preceded shootout triumphs (Bromley, Wycombe Wanderers), a goalless stalemate at AFC Wimbledon and a 3-4 league defeat to Luton Town.
Performances have been somewhat mixed, with the display at Stevenage (6.64/10, going by our Player Ratings) the clear standout. Otherwise, three displays were remarkably similar (Bromley 5.6, Wycombe 5.64, Wimbledon 5.62), while the one against Luton (5.27) was a lot lower.
That all works out to an average of 5.75. For a bit of context, that's higher than the 2025/26 season-wide average of 5.59 and above every month that campaign but one (August 2025, 5.85).
So now it's time to pick a standout. We've narrowed the choice down to a shortlist of three players, and you can vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article.

#stevenage

One of the most enduring principles of liberty is owning property. "America's Founders understood clearly that private property is the foundation not only of prosperity but of freedom itself," Roger Pilon, founder of the Cato Institute's Center for Constitutional Studies, wrote in 2017.
And yet all too often, bureaucrats put unnecessary rules and regulations on how we can use our property. One couple is fighting with their town over the right to just let people go for a walk on their land.*
Charles Copley met his wife, Elizabeth, at Oxford University, while they were each pursuing a Ph.D. After living a few years in his native South Africa, they moved with their children to Connecticut to be closer to Elizabeth's family.
Wanting to make the area their permanent home, they purchased two plots of rural land in Roxbury totaling 50 acres in 2022. They hoped not only to live on the land but to really make it their own: farming, planting, and otherwise tailoring the property to their family while protecting and preserving its natural beauty.
They hired a forester to draw up a 10-year forest management plan, which the town approved, and then began removing invasive species and cutting miles of walking trails throughout all 50 acres.

#founders

Last week, the Duke and ***** ss of Sussex announced that they will be moving back to the UK along with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The rumour mill is busy swirling about where the royals will choose to live, as it's reportedly said to be somewhere private outside of London. There is one location that they've already trialled in the UK, which they have previously said they "love", so could Oxfordshire be the chosen place?
In Harry's memoir, Spare, he detailed the couple's time in the UK and in one chapter he touched on the Oxfordshire bolthole they lived in together ahead of moving into Frogmore Cottage.
Harry and Meghan loved life in Oxfordshire ahead of moving into Frogmore Cottage
"We'd rented a house in Oxfordshire. Just a place to get away now and then [from] the maelstrom," he explained and while renovations took place at Frogmore, the couple remained there. "While the work was being done, we thought we could move into Oxfordshire full time. We loved it out there. The air fresh, the verdant grounds—plus, no paps."
The Cotswolds is looking like a strong contender for the couple to move to, according to growing reports. However, the precise location of their home and chosen school for their children will be kept private for security reasons.

#cottage