After a superb debut Premiership campagin, it was innevitable that - like Wigan - their best performers would be subject to bids from more established sides.
Losing Steve Sidwell to Chelsea was a major blow, whilse Steve Coppell has failed to significantly strenghten his side. It seems second season syndrome could be striking again.
That said, Reading began their season brilliantly. A 0-0 draw at Old Trafford followed by a narrow home defeat to Chelsea hinted at another fantastic season for the Royals.
A 1-0 victory over Everton added weight to that claim but heavy defeats by West ham and struggling Bolton (and defeat to new boys Sunderland) have seen Reading plummet down the table.
Despite Readings perilous form, Hutchings has warned a Reading backlash, with Wigan hoping to claim their first win on their travels: "They've just had the one win, so they will be desperate to try to put that right against us. It will be a test of Reading's character how they perform after some indifferent results, and we've got to make sure we are ready for that.
"We will have to be on our guard, and we'll have to play a lot better than we did against Fulham if we are going to get anything."
Despite that poor display and numerous injuries, Wigan did manage a point against Fulham. Although Emile Heskey has joined Denny Landzaat and Antonio Valencia on the doctors table, injuries are slowly clearing up.
Ryan Taylor is on the comeback trail after playing for the reserves midweek whilst new recruits Olembe and Bouaouzan also made their debuts. Both will be pushing for starts this Saturday.
With difficult games against Liverpool and Manchester United to follow, it is imperitive that Hutch's Wigan get at least a point from the Madejski Stadium.
Ones to Watch
Kitson is the only striker to have netted for the Royals this season, so their forwards will be desperate to net on home soil.
My Prediction
After a poor performance (but still winning a point) against Fulham, there are positives to take into the Reading game. A first away win is on the cards.
Royals 0 Latics 1 (M.Bent)