Reading Season Preview
After a lackluster 2014/15 campaign and finishing a lot closer to the relegation zone than they would have hoped, Reading will look to sustain a push towards the top half and perhaps even the play-offs in the upcoming season. However, positives can be taken from the past 12 months; an exciting cup run was embarked upon until eventual winners Arsenal knocked them out in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Best Case Scenario: Sneaking into the play-offs
Although they only quietened the fear of relegation in their last few games of the season, Reading is a club full of ambition. The departures of central defender Alex Pearce to fellow Championship side Derby County, goalkeeper Adam Federici to Premier League new boys Bournemouth and wide midfielder Jem Karacan to Turkish side Galatasaray will have an impact on the Royals. However, Reading have acted quickly in the transfer market and have brought in Paul McShane, Ali Al Habsi and Stephen Quinn to replace the three instrumental players. Reaching the play-offs will be a possibility at the Madejski, but having a good start to their campaign will be vital.
Worst Case Scenario: Lower mid-table
For a club of Reading’s size, any lower than 15th in the Championship can be seen as a disappointment and fans certainly will not want this to happen for the second consecutive season. If they want to become promotion candidates in the coming years, it is important not to slip into the wrong sort of routine and, I feel that, finishing in lower mid-table this season could cause the club to become complacent and lose the mentality which has made them exciting to watch in the last few years.
Players to watch: Pavel Pogrebnyak, Hal Robson-Kanu and Stephen Quinn
Pogrebnyak had a fantastic start in England, scoring six times in 12 appearances for Fulham when they were in the Premier League. However, seasons since have been plagued by injury. This season could be dissimilar for Russian frontman and he could prove to be the difference for Steve Clarke’s side.
Left midfielder Hal Robson-Kanu has been a fundamental part of Reading’s side since his promotion from the academy in 2007. Racking up 192 appearances for the Royals and being the long-serving player at the club, the Welsh winger will have the experience to guide the team throughout the season.
Meanwhile, Stephen Quinn arrives from Hull fresh with Premier League experience, something that is pivotal to have in your squad if you are even closely to viewing promotion to the top flight as a possibility. 28 appearances in last season’s first division saw Quinn score just once, although he is more often complimented for the assists he provides.
Manager rating: 8/10
Steve Clarke served West Brom well whilst managing them in the Premier League and there are still some questions being asked as to why he was sacked. Clarke currently holds a better win percentage with Reading than he had during his time at the Hawthorns. The English coach mostly used the 2014/15 season to withhold some stability with the club and now should be able to push them onto bigger and better things.