Reading legends Mick Gooding and Ady Williams passionately argued their case looking to solve the club's conundrum up front.

With a lack of depth throughout the squad, the forward line is the strongest; with Lucas Joao, Shane Long, Andy Carroll and Yakou Meite all pushing for starts.

Paul Ince has favoured Yakou Meite and Andy Carroll in recent weeks, but with the club losing six of the last eight fixtures many feel it is time for a re-shuffle.

Speaking on BBC Berkshire, Williams-who played over 300 times in the 1990s and 2000s- advocates for Joao to regain his spot as the number nine, while former manager Gooding feels Carroll adds more.

"If there’s going to be one up front, for me it’s Lucas Joao," said the former skipper. "Say what you like about Lucas Joao: his hold up play, aggression in the air, work rate, whatever it may be- he probably doesn’t tick everybody’s boxes. But, for me, you can’t win a game of football without scoring. 0-0s are good for a certain amount of time, in football matches you have to score goals. For me, Lucas Joao will still be Reading’s most prolific goal scorer come the end of the season."

Geordie Gooding, who co-commentates on Royals matches with Tim Dellor, is sticking up for fellow North-East resident.

"You need a team that will get you the results, and I know it sounds silly, but sometimes it’s not the best players but teamwork," the estate agent explained. "Sometimes you can have a standout player that doesn’t fit into the way you want to play, or the way you have to play because of the other players. I think Paul Ince would have said to Lucas Joao: ‘look at him, and the work rate he puts in.’"

So far, none of the four are leading the scoring charts, with Tom Ince scoring four and assisting three so far.

Joao has also contributed four goals, while Meite and Carroll sit on two apiece.