We’re a quarter of the way through the season and it’s safe to say Reading FCs start has not been the greatest. With some ups and quite a few more downs.
Pre-season was an overall good sign of things to come in the upcoming 2019/20 season. Including some very promising performances against Sevilla and Chelsea and an emphatic 10-0 win over Gibraltar United.
During Pre-season also came a barrage of summer signings. 10 new players including 5 Loan Signings and 5 Permanent Signings. Including George Puşcaş, the young 23-year-old Romanian international, for a club record £10 million; a move that shocked just about everyone in English football. But Puşcaş hasn’t has the season that everyone has expected him to have with only 4 goals in 14 appearances.
Another notable summer signing was a loan deal with an option to buy for Liverpool midfielder Ovie Ejaria, who has returned back to Berkshire for a second term at the club. Ejaria has blown away fans with performances for the club that have some fans even saying that he is too good for the club.
The start to the 2019/20 season has been a rocky one. With 3 wins, 3 draws, 7 losses in 13 games, and being 21st. fans have not been too happy with the start of the season. Especially with the club spending close to £25 million and results being not to dissimilar to previous seasons with two 20th place finishes in the last two seasons.
The first two games resulted in losses to Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City. These two losses were expected as there had been a mass exodus of players from the club during the summer, with 15 players leaving the club, whether that be through loans, permanent transfer or retiring.
The next three games were a lot more inspiring and motivating than the first two. With an emphatic 3-0 win over Cardiff City, including two goals from Puşcaş, the first of which being goal of the season worthy. The next two games included an away draw to West Bromwich Albion, and a victory against then struggling Huddersfield Town.
Things then took a turn for the worse, with six games in a row without a win.
With a draw against Swansea City, and defeats to Charlton Athletic, Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, and Bristol City. The latter of which resulted in manager José Gomes losing his job after just ten months in charge.
Shortly after Gomes’ sacking, former Reading director of football Mark Bowen was appointed the new manager of the club to try and steady the ship.
Since Bowens appointment, things have started to look up for the club. Granted he has only been in charge for just two games, but those have included a 1-0 win against Preston North End, and a 2-2 draw against Queens Park Rangers.
As a Reading Fan myself I have hope for the future and Mark Bowen. But only time will tell how the next 33 games pan out in one of the most unpredictable leagues in not just England, but in the world.