The year proved to be one of Championship survival for Reading FC.
The year started in difficult circumstances with the club in crisis under Veljko Paunovic.
With the club under a transfer embargo, the Royals found themselves in a tricky period as the year started with Reading squandering a two-goal lead as they conceded twice in the final five minutes against Derby County.
After the draw to Derby, things went into turmoil with a run of eight consecutive defeats.
After suffering an embarrassing defeat to non league Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup third-round in which the minnows thoroughly deserved their spot in the next round, Reading’s form slumped in the league.
Things had reached a breaking point which caused a divide between the fans and the club, leading to protests against the management and ownership.
Amongst their seven game losing streak, Reading were humiliated at home to Fulham in which the eventual Championship winners scored seven goals without reply.
The goals kept leaking throughout January and into February as the Royals lost 4-0 away at QPRa and were defeated 3-2 by Coventry City as the club weren’t able to mark their 150th anniversary game with any kind of cheer.
On the back of a 3-2 win at Preston, Paunovic was sacked as Royals boss, a decision that was taken prior to the game.
To the surprise of many, and after eight years out of management, Paul Ince took the reins at Reading.
Ince started with a much needed win, the first home victory since October 2021, as goals from John Swift and Lucas Joao gave them a 2-1 success over Birmingham City.
A 4-1 away loss at Blackpool saw Reading crash back down to earth after two consecutive wins and that was followed by successive defeats to Millwall and Nottingham Forest in March.
However, the tide began to turn as Ince’s team showed fight to try and haul themselves away from the relegation scrap.
A valuable point away at promotion favourites Bournemouth was followed by Josh Laurent’s wonder goal giving Reading three points at home to Blackburn before an away point at Barnsley and a win at home to Stoke got April off to a fine start.
With the standings still hanging in the balance in a tense conclusion to the season, Reading recovered after losing at home to Cardiff City with a remarkable away win at Sheffield United.
Having taken the lead through Lucas Joao, Reading were pegged back at the death by Ndiaye’s goal as it seemed the three points had been snatched away from them.
However, the Royals showed immense resilience to reply almost immediately when Tom McIntyre scored a dramatic winner in injury time.
The drama was far from over as Reading took on Swansea City in what proved to be the most enthralling game of the campaign.
After looking dead and buried at 4-1 down, Reading somehow clawed themselves back into the game and McIntyre was the stoppage time hero again for the second time in a week when he netted a 95th minute equaliser to all but seal Reading’s Championship safety.
Despite losing the final three league games of the season, Reading were home and hosed as Ince’s mission of keeping the team in the league was successful.
Knowing that the transfer embargo was still in place for another season, there were plenty of decisions to be made in a manic few summer months in Berkshire.
Ince decided to stay on as Reading boss while former manager Mark Bowen returned as Head of Football Operations.
There were plenty of summer arrivals and departures among the playing staff.
Among the notable departures were John Swift, Josh Laurent and Andy Rinomhota who all left on free transfers.
Meanwhile, 13 signings on either free transfers or loan deals were made in total including the return of fan favourite Shane Long 10 years after he left the club.
Despite losing their opening Championship game in July after a short break, August proved to be a fruitful month with four Championship wins from five matches.
Ince’s men added two more wins in September to continue their largely positive start.
Form did start to dip in October with a run of four defeats in five games.
Just prior to the World Cup break having won just one game in their last 10, Reading earned a crucial win in the final minute away at Hull City.
After returning from a four week hiatus, Reading restarted with victory over Coventry City which sees them sitting in mid-table after an inconsistent start. However, Ince can be pleased with his team’s effort as they were considered by many as relegation candidates and thus far have managed to avoid getting anywhere near the dropzone in the first half of the season.
