Click here to read previous review of July-October.

November

In a unique season, November and December were to be cut short in order to facilitate the Qatar World Cup.

Beginning with a hard-fought goalless draw with play-off hopefuls Luton Town, both Preston North End and Watford picked up wins against an out-of-sorts Reading.

A trip to Humberside to face Hull City was the final match before the break, and everyone left happy after Ryan Longman scored a stoppage-time own-goal was to ensure Reading earned a first win in five to head into the hiatus.

December

Returning to action on the same day as England's quarter-final against France, Amadou Mbengue scored his first professional goal in 1-0 win over Coventry City at the SCL Stadium.

Unable to back this up the following week, Birmingham City found themselves 3-0 up at half-time in the Second City.

Lucas Joao and Tom Ince netted in the final 10 minutes, but Paul Ince's men were unable to complete the comeback. 

Continuing their impressive home form, with just two defeats to this point, Andy Carroll and Ince scored as Swansea City were beaten the day after Boxing Day.

Former England man Carroll scored again three days later, converting a penalty to earn a credible draw at Carrow Road against Norwich City.

January

The beginning of the downward slope for Reading, the side picked up just one point in three matches at the start of 2023.

West Brom won 1-0 at the Hawthorns to start the year, although it could have been more for the impressive Baggies were it not for Joe Lumley in the net.

Jeff Hendrick's brace against Queens Park Rangers was not enough for victory in the first home league match of the calendar year- throwing away a two-goal lead to draw with the out-of-sorts R's.

The worst was saved for final league game of the month, with Stoke City firing four past a hapless Reading side in Staffordshire.

However, supporters were treated to a day out in the FA Cup as a third round victory over Watford set up a glamour tie to Ince's previous club, Manchester United.

Goalless at the break, the Red Devils scored three early in the second half and Carroll saw red for a dangerous challenge on Christian Eriksen.

The sold-out away contingent were treated to a goal though, Mbengue heading home to keep it respectable.

COME BACK TOMORROW FOR THE FINAL PART