When Reading were relegated from the Premier League in 2013, Nigel Adkins probably assumed the team were heading straight back up again with a fairly decent side and the benefit of parachute payments. But what followed was narrowly missing out on the play-offs in that campaign (they were one point off Brighton & Hove Albion with just one fewer in terms of goal difference) and then two seasons of midtable mediocrity, leaving them as a second-tier side.
Amid this there have been managerial changes, with Adkins sacked in December 2014 after a 6-1 defeat to Birmingham City. His replacement, Steve Clarke, lasted just under a year at the club before being ousted for poor form, and Brian McDermott’s second spell at the Royals lasted just six months.
However, Reading have seemingly turned things around in the first half of the 2016/2017 campaign, with a new approach and new look to a team who were becoming a shadow of their former selves. Let’s look at FIVE reasons they have managed to become a surprise package this season under Jaap Stam and made themselves potential promotion candidates…
Out With The Old…
Reading’s first transfer of the summer was made three days before the play-off final last season, with defender Danzell Gravenberch coming in from Dutch side FC Dordrecht – almost certainly a selection made by new director of football Brian Tevreden, formerly a coach at Ajax. This began a summer of movement in Berkshire, with eleven players coming in and three players going out, ensuring a new-look side greeted the fans in August. Six of these players (Joey van den Berg, John Swift, Callum Harriott, Liam Moore, Tyler Blackett and Roy Beerens) have featured prominently during the opening months of the new season, and it should be little surprise that they fit into the new tactical style that is being employed at Reading.
There have been a change at the top as well, with Stam arriving in place of McDermott, who was dismissed shortly after the dismal end to the previous campaign. His prior relationship with Tevreden at Ajax would have ensured swift familiarity between the two men who are responsible for transfers at the club, and the former Manchester United defender wasted no time in asserting a new style at the club – attractive, possession football which is a world away from the back end of the 2015/2016 season.
New Tactics
When Brian McDermott arrived at the Madejski Stadium for his second spell in charge of the Royals in December last year, it effectively spelt the end of the season for the club. Relying on an antiquated 4-4-2 system with obvious weak spots, they managed just five wins out of 22 games in the second half of the season and, by the time their final home game came around against Preston North End at the end of April, the lap of honour was done to a practically empty stadium following a 2-1 defeat.
In their season-opener against the same club in August, Stam deployed an attacking 4-3-3 and was rewarded as possession-football meant that Reading had 71% of the ball during a match they won it 1-0, thanks to a goal from new signing John Swift. This possession-style has arguably been their strongest asset in achieving what they have so far this term. While there was (and perhaps, to some, still is) scepticism from fans with an unfamiliar style of play from Reading, the players have slowly taken it all on board and, despite struggling with passing the ball from the back in the first few games, Stam has stubbornly remained with his tactical beliefs and now finally seems to be reaping the benefits.
Strength At Home
What is undeniably true in football is that if you are good at home, then you have won half the battle. Teams like Stoke City have done this in recent years in the Premier League, and have ensured their continuation in the top tier as a result. In 2015/16, Reading won just eight of their 23 home games, yet so far this season they already have five victories and have only suffered one defeat at the Madejski Stadium against Aston Villa (via a goal in the final minute). Making sure they are strong in front of their home fans will surely be something Stam has been insistent upon, and it eases the pressure on away trips for the team, as well as building momentum.
They haven’t been particularly poor away from Berkshire either, with just three losses on the road (one against title-favourites Newcastle United) this just compliments the fact that they are getting the right results at what has rightly been dubbed ‘Fortress Madejski’. Points against strong sides such as Brighton & Hove Albion and Birmingham City and wins against former league leaders Huddersfield Town and play-off hopefuls Ipswich Town stand out, but more recently they have managed 2-0 and 3-0 successes against Nottingham Forest and Burton Albion respectively.
Danger-Man Presence
While it hardly seems fair to blame one player for the demise of form in the second part of last season, the sale of Nick Blackman to Derby County came after the winger/forward had scored thirteen goals for Reading. The sale was in the best financial interests of the club, but his void could not be filled by any other player in the team, and the top goalscorer ended up as Matej Vydra on seven goals.
The Royals have faced similar problems this season, with a lack of goals coming from the lone striker position. Yann Kermorgant has been the primary selection in the role, but has only managed four goals in 18 appearances. But, once again, Reading have been fortunate to offer danger for their opponents from other areas, principally the right wing, where Blackman was previously deployed. Garath McCleary has made himself comfortable in that position, and his ability to cut inside and create danger and opportunities out of seemingly nothing thanks to pace and flair has seen him score six so far this term, including a four-minute brace against Wigan Athletic. Attacking midfielder John Swift has a similar record from his position, and the fact that the team can rely on goals coming from other danger men outside of the strikers eases the pressures they were facing last season.
Selection Continuity
Despite joining a new club during the summer, and also adding a host of new names to the team, Stam has stuck with a fairly consistent line-up this campaign. The beginning of last season saw Steve Clarke chopping and changing between goalkeepers Jonathan Bond and Ali Al Habsi as both struggled to hold down the position between the sticks, but Stam has ensured that last year’s Player of the Season is his number one choice, with backup ‘keepers Anssi Jaakkola and Stuart Moore allowed cameo appearances in cup games. McDermott also toyed with youth players toward the end of last season, with defender Jake Cooper getting extended match experience alongside Josh Barrett and Rowan Liburd. But, while Stam has allowed academy graduates a chance in the first-team, with full back Tennai Watson, midfielder Liam Kelly and striker Dominic Samuel all receiving chances to play in the senior side, he has maintained a consistent approach to team selections week in, week out.
Reading have fielded just 24 players in total this season. The back four remains solid, with the main change being at left-back between Jordan Obita and Tyler Blackett – this back five has not changed in the last three matches which have all returned clean sheets. Up front the trio of McCleary, Beerens and Kermorgant have started 15 games alogether, scoring eleven goals between them whilst also allowing new signing Harriott to flourish at times. The midfield has seen the most changes, with no fewer than six players competing for three positions in the middle of the park. But there has been consistency with the defensive-minded Van den Berg and the attacking midfielder Swift – both have started thirteen games in the league out of seventeen.
