Former Premier League star assesses Reading FC start

Savage, who played for the likes of Birmingham City and Leicester City in a long top-flight career, keeps a keen eye on the Royals these days after the club signed his 20-year-old son, Charlie, over the summer.

Savage Jr, who joined on a four-year deal from Manchester United, has featured in every league game for Ruben Selles' side.

Sat in the bottom half with just two wins in six matches, the side has seen a total overhaul with most matches lining up with an average age of below 23.

Speaking exclusively to the Reading Chronicle during a 12-day break for international fixtures, the Macclesfield FC owner gave his thoughts on the start of third-tier life in Berkshire.

"I can’t speak highly enough of the job that Mark Bowen and the team have done to be in a situation where they’ve got a squad with the average age of whatever it is," he stated. "The hardest thing for any young player is putting one or two in. The experienced players: the Sam Hutchinson’s and Andy Carroll’s, have been amazing for Charlie and the other young players. When you’ve got a group of 21-year-olds all making their debuts and playing together, they are going to make mistakes because they are naive and brave. This is a transitional season and I honestly believe that if Reading can finish in the top half this season, it will be nothing other than sensational. If this team was in the Under-21 league, would they win it? Noel Hunt has done an amazing job with the Under-21s and you can hear his passion for the club. The youth set-up they’ve got is unbelievable.

"When you own a football club you have to look at processes and be patient at times. Fans will want instant results but if you look at the season as a whole and the way the manager has got this team playing. For young lads to week-in and week-out cope with the demands of League One against experienced pros- they can be proud of themselves. People will say they’ve only won two league games, but it is such fine margins. It’s all if’s and but’s. They’re not getting smashed, they’re in games through youthful exuberance and how they’ve been coached. Charlie said the dressing room is amazing, all the lads on the same wavelength with some added experience.

"The job of some is to dissect games and look at what they can do better, but the easiest thing in life is to be critical. What people don’t look at is the bigger picture. As a club and as a staff, we should be proud of these guys. You’re playing for a team relegated from the Championship that are needing to rebuild with restraints on the club. Brian Carey and the staff have worked wonders to get these lads in on frees. Looking from the outside, and I do look from the outside, I look on the whole and think wow. I’m proud of what they are achieving."

A difficult campaign to predict before a ball was kicked, with off-field issues dominating the thoughts of fans and newspaper inches during a turbulent summer, many supporters had hoped for a more productive start.

However, the former Wales international is confident that wins and points will come.

"Results will come," he said, adamantly. "People should get behind the young group and the manager, who all the lads speak so highly of. If this squad can stay together, and add one or two in January or next summer, next year will be a real season where you think the rewards will come."