Reading FC players verdict on Paul Ince's 13 summer recruits

As with every signings, there is a degree of risk in them all, but it is fair to say that plenty has surpassed expectations.

I go through each of the additions and give my verdict as we approach the halfway stage, with the Royals now not in action for four weeks.

Tom Ince

Well, where to start? Far and away Player of the Season so far, the midfielder has contributed more goals than any other player (seven) and runs enough for all 11 on the pitch. Sometimes the eye test of an individual can vary fan to fan but think there will be few who will disagree on his impact this season. The club’s highest rated player on WhoScored with 6.99, whatever dad Paul is doing is certainly working.

Dean Bouzanis

Always difficult to judge a back-up goalkeeper, the best you can say is that he’s steady. Signed from League Two Sutton United, not many knew what to expect, but after penalty heroics in pre-season against AFC Wimbledon, ‘Deano’ is already a fan favourite. Solid enough when called upon, would have no qualms with the Australian filling in for Joe Lumley when the loanee is not available.

Shane Long

The prodigal son returned after over a decade in the Premier League, and doesn’t it just feel great! His game time has been limited, with four first-team strikers and the Irishman suffering with a virus for the best part of a month, but the veteran has brought steel, determination, and experience to a varied array of forwards in the arsenal. He’s notched just the once, from the penalty spot, but his graft has created numerous chances for others to excel, something he has done throughout his distinguished career.

Sam Hutchinson

Having been a Championship regular for almost a decade with Sheffield Wednesday, everyone who has been a watcher of the league for the period knows exactly what you will get with ‘Hutch.’ A competitor and a winner, Berkshire-born midfielder just wants to play football. Prone to a rash challenge every so often, he picks up cards like they’re going out of fashion, but he’s someone you would rather have on your side than against you.

Nesta Guinness-Walker

I’ll hold my hands up, after the opening day defeat to Blackpool I was concerned. The youngster, having worked his way up from non-league to AFC Wimbledon and now the Championship, looked out of his depth. Josh Bowler gave him the run-around and at that time, with Baba Rahman’s return over a month away, I was worried that the left-hand side would be exploited. I have since been proved wrong, with the 22-year-old visibly improving and gaining confidence week on week. It has been a joy to see a talent develop in front of my very eyes, and arguably I would play Guinness-Walker ahead of Rahman if I were in charge of selection.

Naby Sarr

Perhaps the longest-running transfer saga in the history of the football club, the defender wasted no time in making an impact when scoring the winning goal within half an hour of his debut at Millwall. 45 difficult minutes later against Sheffield United and that is all we have seen from the former Huddersfield Town centre-half. Hard to give a fair assessment on 130 minutes of football, I look forward to seeing how he does after the hype surrounding his long-awaited arrival.

Amadou Mbengue

A move right out of leftfield, the recruitment team have done a fine job at plucking the youngster out of France. Raw as anything, the pure pace and determination has already won me over. Yes, he still has plenty of development left to do, of course he does, but I think should that development take place in Berkshire, there is a real diamond in the rough in the camp.

Andy Carroll

What you see is what you get with the former England international, a classic centre-forward. Maybe not hitting the number of goals people would have hoped for, and there are still question marks over how best to utilise the 33-year-old, the impact he has made off the field in the camp and with the fans is worth its weight in gold. Who knows whether he will be here beyond January, but I’m sure supporters and the hierarchy alike would want to see the Geordie remain in blue and white.

Joe Lumley

A player who arrived with a reputation from fans of previous clubs, expectations were mixed upon arrival. Don’t get me wrong, he’s got a mistake in him (or a few, as Rotherham United away might show)- what goalkeeper doesn’t? Already a hit with the Royals supporters, no doubt he will save the club more points than he would cost them, and that’s the important thing.

Tyrese Fornah

First and foremost a lovely lad, he’s someone I will keep an eye on long after his return to Nottingham Forest. Still young, the midfielder is learning his trade at this level and can be seen from his lack of consistency, but he has had some standout performances so far this campaign. The talent there is unquestionable, and this spell in RG2 will see he walk away a much better player than he came in.

Jeff Hendrick

Another arriving from Tyneside, the experienced midfielder has been Mr Steady in the middle of the park. Playing all 21 matches, only vice-captain Tom Holmes has also done that, he keeps the ball ticking over and has popped up vital goal against Norwich City.

Mamadou Loum

A hard player to judge, the Senegal international has dropped off slightly in the final few games before the World Cup break. Having said that, the Porto midfielder was impressive in early performances and is very good at winning the ball back high up the pitch. Definitely needs to release the ball quicker upon his return though, with the World Cup-bound star prone to trying too much before playing it on.

Baba Rahman

Someone who was here last season, you know what you get with Rahman. Last season the Ghana international saw a lot more of the ball going forward, but his defensive displays have certainly improved under Ince.