Reading FC Review of the Season: February

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.

February

Unfortunately for all connected with the club, February began as January had ended. After a clear week due to the early exit in the FA Cup, the month started with a midweek trip to Bristol. Always a favourite for Reading fans to head down to, almost 1,000 made the trip west to Ashton Gate to see the Royals lose a sixth consecutive match. Two goals either side of the half-time break made it an almost impossible task to take something away from the game. A much-improved final half hour threatened a comeback, especially when John Swift converted a penalty with 15 minutes remaining. Ultimately, it was too little too late and a passionate away contingent called for Paunovic’s head.

This frustration was to come to a head in the next match, the club’s designated 150th anniversary celebration match. A bumper crowd of almost 23,000 turned out for the visit of Mark Robins’ Coventry City, with a large group of supporters making their feelings heard with a fan protest before the match. An early Lucas Joao goal looked to set the side on their way to a much-needed win but strikes from Dom Hyam and Michael Rose flipped the game on its head. Andy Yiadom levelled the scores only for Ian Maatsen to earn the Sky Blues all three points with his strike 25 minutes from time. Turning toxic, some supporters ran onto the pitch at full-time to ensure their feelings were made perfectly clear in what rounded off a rather sour celebration of the club’s history.

Then came a crunch match. 22nd hosted 21st in what was billed as a relegation six-pointer. Just two points behind Reading, with a game in hand, Peterborough United were the nearest challengers to the Berkshire side. A rather damp squib, a game of extremely poor-quality finish goalless as neither side capitalised on playing each other. Another angry section of the travelling Royals support confronted the squad at the end of the match, blocking the team coach from leaving, with full-back Yiadom engaging in conversation to try and calm them down.

Three days later came one of the strangest days of the season, and not just because the side picked up a win. Taking a three-goal lead inside into the final half hour, Preston pulled two back to set up a tense final 15 minutes, but the Reading held on to record a final win in 13 matches and extend the gap to relegation to five points. However, within half hour of the final whistle, news broke that manager Paunovic had left the club and was set to replaced by England legend, and father of loanee Tom Ince, Paul. The former Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder was to be assisted by Royals legends Michael Gilkes and Mikele Leigertwood in a deal until the end of the season.

He did not have long to prepare, with his first match in charge against Birmingham City just three days later. Joined by partner in crime, former Wolves star Alex Rae, the club recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since October. Leaving it late, Lucas Joao and Swift netted in the final half hour to put the hosts in control, but a Tom McIntyre own goal made it another jittery end. Hanging on to get over the line, the gap to 22nd was extended to eight points with 13 matches remaining.

Ince’s first away trip in charge took them to his former club Blackpool- and unfortunately it was not a happy day at the seaside for the travelling supporters. A perfect start, Joao opened the scoring inside 20 minutes to take the lead, but only for 10 minutes as Marvin Ekpiteta levelled before the half hour mark. More than holding their own in the first period, a second half collapse saw the side ship three goals and run out convincing losers at Bloomfield Road.

With one defeat in four to round off a busy February, the side remained six points clear of relegation after failing to shake off the chasing pack and burst clear.