The 150th anniversary season was not the fun-filled rollercoaster we were all hoping for but that does not mean it was without its moments.

Join us for the next 10 days as we reccount the season, month-by-month, in which the supporters have endured enough ups and downs to last a lifetime.

 

November

After a promising, yet inconsistent, opening three months of the season- Reading found themselves in the bottom half but capable of getting a result against anyone on their day. Unfortunately, November was to mark the beginning of a slow, and at times, painful slide toward the Championship relegation places.

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

The very opening day of the month was a sign that things were not going to be straightforward, with manager Veljko Paunovic testing positive for Covid-19. This left assistant manager Marko Mitrovic in charge for the opening two matches, difficult trips to the Den and St Andrews.

A fourth defeat on the bounce was confirmed with 20 minutes remaining as former Royal Benik Afobe tucked a strike past Luke Southwood to give Millwall another home win.

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

Just four days later more than 1,400 travelled to the Second City for the game with Birmingham City, although the game very nearly didn’t go ahead with the electricity failing at the stadium. Eventually it was fixed, and the match kicked off half an hour later than planned. It took just three minutes for the hosts to take the lead as a mishit Liam Moore back pass was intercepted by Scott Hogan, who finished confidently past Southwood. The Royals were second best in the first half but a substitution at the break, seeing the introduction of Academy graduate Jahmari Clarke, changed the game. 18-year-old Clarke scored a 12-minute brace in the closing stages to turn the game on its head and prevent the winless run stretching to five.

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

However, the good feeling after the win in Birmingham didn’t last long as the club were docked six points for breaching profit and sustainability regulations over yet another international break. It took Reading down from 16th to 19th and just four clear of the relegation places.

A point at home to Nottingham Forest, who took a fourth minute lead through Philip Zinckernagel, was a welcome return to on-field action and saw Paunovic return to the touchline. Scott Dann levelled in the second half against Steve Cooper’s Forest, but he was helpless to prevent a return to losing ways in midweek when Sheffield United pulled into town.

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

The game was overshadowed by John Fleck’s collapse on the pitch, but Reading-born Jayden Bogle settled the fixture in the second half. The biggest positive in the clash against the Blades was the debut of Geordie striker Andy Carroll, who had signed on a short-term deal during the international break. An experienced goal-getter, it took the former Liverpool and England international just 30 minutes into his first start, away to Swansea City in the last game of the month, to bag his first Royals goal.

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

The hosts took the lead inside three minutes through Jamie Paterson, but Tom Dele-Bashiru equalised instantaneously in a fast and furious start. Carroll’s smart spin and strike gave the visitors a half-time lead but within four minutes of the restart Ryan Manning had volleyed the Swans back onto level pegging. Following the pattern of the game, it took just six minutes for the final goal of the game as Danny Drinkwater fired home after Dele-Bashiru’s shot came back off of the post.

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

Despite the four-point week Reading ended the month in 21st, a very common place to be for the club after the points deduction, and still four points clear of relegation. Little did the supporters know then that it would take three months for the next victory.

 

Join us tomorrow for December