The Resurgence of Reading
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With 10-games played of the 2020/21 campaign, Reading sit on top of the Championship table by 3pts points. There has been quite a turnaround at the club since last season in which the Royals finished in 14th position.
Perhaps the most notable change has been in the manager’s seat, with Veljko Paunovic taking over the reins in August 2020.
Paunovic was a decent player in his day, playing much of his time in Spain with Marbella, Atletico Madrid, Mallorca and Getafe, before ending his career with MLS side Philadelphia Union in 2011. Paunovic also represented Serbian and Montenegro on 2 occasions and scored 1-goal between 2002-2004.
As a manager, Reading certainly took a gamble on Paunovic, who had performed well with Serbia’s U20s, U19s and U18s but had an average 4-years in charge of MLS side Chicago Fire.
The Serbs win rate of 32.21% was much to write home about, but he was still given the opportunity to take the hot seat at Reding in August. Since joining the Royals, Paunovic has overseen 12 matches, picking up 8 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats, and has guided the club to the top of the Championship table.
Reading had a decent defensive record last season, conceding 68-goals in their 46 league games, with just nine teams fairing better in that department. However, only nine teams faired worse than Reading in the goal scored column, which is one of the main reasons why the Royals were unable to claim a top-half finish in 2018/20.
Two players managed to reach double figures in league goals last season, Yakou Meite netted 13-goals, and George Puscas was one behind on 12. Lucas Joao, the former Sheffield Wednesday striker only chipped in with 6 Championship goals.
However, this season Joao has rediscovered his touch in front of goal, netting 9 times in 10 appearances in all competitions, while Meite has 4-goals in 7 games, and Puscas and Olise have scored 2 league goals each. At the other end of the pitch, Brazilian goalkeeper Rafael Cabral has kept clean sheets in six of his 10 appearances in the Championship, as Reading once again look strong at the back.
Ovie Ejaria joined the club from Liverpool for £3.51m, Josh Laurent arrived on a free transfer from Shrewsbury, while Tomas Esteves and Alfa Semedo have come in on-loan from Porto and Benfica respectively and all these players have performed well for the first-team.
The Royals’ signings have been shrewd, but it is their performances on the pitch as a team that have taken them to the top of the division. Reading could struggle to keep hold of their manager if the club continues to overperform, but some are suggesting that the bubble has already burst.
Reading have lost their last two league games, 3-2 at Coventry and 3-0 at home to Preston, their first losses in the Championship this season. Before then, Reading had gone eight games without defeat, securing seven wins and one draw. Up next for the Royals are Stoke City at home, and it will be interesting to see if Reading can return to winning ways against their mid-table opponents.
Reading certainly looked transformed from the side that finished 14th last season and could well make their return to the Premier League for the first time since 2013. A lot will depend on the form of top scorer Lucas Joao and maintaining that excellent defensive record.
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