Season Review
2012/2013:
Reading’s promotion as
Champions of the Championship seemingly gave them the best chance of the three
sides to stay up in the Premier League. In Brian McDermott, they had a stable
manager with a good record in the Championship, and seemed capable of taking
the next step. He strengthened the side in the summer, bringing in Pavel
Pogrebnyak after his impressive loan spell at Fulham the previous year. Reading
began their return to the Premier League with a promising 1-1 draw at home to
Stoke, where a late Adam Le Fondre penalty showed that Reading had the belief
and fight to take games to the last minute.
Three
successive defeats dented Reading’s confidence somewhat, but Reading’s Capital
One Cup form rekindled hope that this one could be a successful campaign for
the Royals, progressing into the Fourth Round with victories over Peterborough
and QPR. Three draws in four league games preceeded that cup tie, and what a
game it was! 4-0 up at home to Arsenal after 31 minutes, it all looked done and
dusted for Reading. Theo Walcott then pulled one back on the stroke of half
time, a moment that Reading boss Brian McDermott later stated was the turning
point. With their tails up, Arsenal fought back, eventually scoring a late,
albeit controversial goal to level the scores at 4-4 and taking the game into
extra time. Two goals in injury time in extra time gave Arsenal a memorable 5-7
victory, and left Reading in the depths of despair.
Despite
that disappointment, Reading regained their composure quickly, going the next
three games unbeaten, including an impressive 2-1 win over high-flying Everton.
However, this success was short-lived. A disastrous 7 game losing streak
severely damaged Reading’s survival hopes. Having been at the last game, in
which they travelled to Manchester City, I can honestly say that Reading were
unfortunate to leave with nothing, as their defending deserved more. However, a
91st minute Gareth Barry goal broke Reading hearts, and left
McDermott seething.
The
turn of the New Year saw an upturn in form, and in particular, the emergence of
Adam Le Fondre. Mostly used as a second half substitute, the former Rotherham
man began to score critical goals. In particular, he single-handedly turned the
game at St. James’s Park in Reading’s favour, scoring twice in 6 second half
minutes. The next league game produced an even more impressive result, with the
Royals gaining a home draw with Chelsea, with Le Fondre once again central.
Unfortunately for Reading, the form was not maintained, once again going on a
long losing streak throughout February and April consisting of 8 games,
including an FA Cup exit at Old Trafford. This latest losing streak was too
much for the board, removing McDermott from his duties and replacing him with
ex-Saints boss Martin Adkins.
Adkins
first game in charge could hardly have been tougher, with a trip to the
Emirates to face Arsenal. A 4-1 defeat represented a 2 goal improvement on the
demolition of his Southampton side at the start of the season. A defeat against
his old employers in the following game left Reading cut a long way adrift at
the bottom of the table, extinguishing any hope of survival. A battling 0-0
draw against Liverpool, in which goalkeeper Alex McCarthy drew a lot of praise
for his performance, gave Adkins his first point as Reading boss, and a 4-2 win
over Fulham in early May gave him his first, and only, Premier League win.
Reading’s fate was decided after the atrocious 0-0 draw at home to QPR, in
which neither side really looked like they wanted to win in, and as a result
both were relegated.
Overall,
a disappointing return to the Premier League for the Royals, especially having
been promoted as champions last season. Occasional high points were all too
often blighted with long periods of defeats, but they return to the
Championship with players, and a manager, proven at this level. As a result,
they will remain confident of a swift return.
Player of the Season:
Adam Le Fondre – Alfie to his team-mates, Le Fondre became one of the most
important parts of Reading’s survival bid, scoring several key goals. Whilst
the term ‘super-sub’ tends to be a label no player wants to be given, Le Fondre’s
goals off the bench against Newcastle, West Brom and Chelsea give some credence
to the claims. He will certainly be looking for more game time next season!
Game of the Season: Reading
3-2 West Brom – A quite incredible turnaround for the Royals, who trailed 2-0
with just 8 minutes to play. Jimmy Kebe’s stooped header rekindled hope of
claiming a much-needed point for Reading, and they seemingly got their wish as
Kebe was clumsily fouled by Jonas Olsson in the box to hand Le Fondre the
chance to level from the spot. He willingly accepted the gift, and at that
point it looked as though the drama was over. Far from it. A late free kick
caused havoc in the West Brom box, leaving Pavel Pogrebnyak free to hook the
ball past Foster to claim a priceless win.
Summer Transfer
Targets (What I Think They Need): Fortunately for Reading, they already
have a squad that is largely proven at Championship level. Therefore, keeping
hold of their key men will be the first priority. As far as signings go,
another goalscorer to support Le Fondre may be needed, along with someone else
to sure up their leaky defence. Players like Crystal Palace’s Glenn Murray and
Wolves’s Roger Johnson may be possible targets.
Transfer Gossip
Links:
In:
None
Out:
Alex Pearce (Liverpool, CB), Noel Hunt (???, RM), Pavel
Pogrebnyak (???, ST)
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