What Lies Next For Reading FC?

Birmingham City FC- 6 Reading FC- 1

For all Reading FC fans out there, log today in your calendars. Make the note that on the 13th December 2014, Reading FC suffered their biggest loss since a 6–0 defeat against Bristol Rovers in 1999. The startling 6–1 scoreline was dealt by the hands of a then-inform team of Birmingham City at St Andrews, which led to outrage in the away stands, trains and coaches of the Reading support.

Due to poor defending and a well taken set piece, Paul Caddis opened the scoreline, which was followed shortly after from a well taken effort from Demarai Gray. Fortunes seemed to be heading in the Royal’s favour on the 19’ minute mark as Glen Murray found the net. Unfortunately for myself and Reading fans alike, this also marked the beginning of what would further ensue into much frustration.

Demarai Gray followed his initial goal with two additional goal, securing his hat-trick before the stroke of halftime, with each goal added to the home team’s tally, the frustration and vocalised anger of the travelling fans grew. Shortly after the restart, Andrew Shinnie found the back of Adam Federici’s net, securing a 4 goal lead as the second half commenced, which was further amplified to 5 when David Cotterill netted his effort in the 60th minute. Fortunately for the travelling fans, this would be the last goal conceded of the night.

However, the poor performances displayed not only on behalf of the players selected but of management also proved too much for the Reading fans to hold back as renditions of ‘You’re Getting Sacked In The Morning’ blared from the Kop end of St Andrews towards Nigel Adkins, constant negative and expletive remarks emanated from pots of fans across the stand and even refund chants spread towards the latter stages and with good reason; the players involved simply did not perform professionally and the fans felt disappointed.

Past successful results and the 6–1 thrashing holds a testament to the inconsistent season the Royal’s supporters have been subject to for the entirety of the season thus far; a positive and professional 2–1 win against a strong Norwich side at Carrow Road, a lackluster goalless draw at home against a recovering Bolton and the aforementioned result in Birmingham adds to the validity of the concerns and frustrations of the fans; why has the attacking and defending been to such a high standard of week and falls dramatically the next? Naturally, the finger of blame is pointed towards management, but why can’t the players consistently perform to those previous high standards?

Many other frustrations stem from the lack of clarity and public information regarding the consortium takeover of the football club, namely what funds are available and what lies in the future of Reading FC? The past events which occured as a result of the failed Anton Zingarevich takeover has led to much hesitance and genuine concern about any future takeover, to the extent that the fans are starting to demand clarity from the new club management.

Of course (much to my personal dismay), much of the fans blame has been pointed towards the manager himself, Nigel Adkins. Failing to establish any positive change at Reading thus far, fans have been becoming restless over a seemingly lax attitude and a lack of genuine passion to drive the club forward, drawing a postive from an otherwise shambolic performance is testament to that. Substitution decisions included in the aforementioned fixture featured Alex Pearce replacing Michael Hector on the 66th minute, many questioned the motives other than ‘damage limitation’ which, of course, did not sit well with the attacking style of play Reading fans having become previously accustomed to.

The next fixture is held at the Madejski stadium against a strong Watford FC team. A lot of pressure if being surmounted on the shoulders of Nigel Adkins, the decisions of management and the consistency of the players. The integrity of the Reading FC management is being put to the test by the club supporters, now is the time for Reading FC management to respond and action these concerns, or they may find they supporter base thinning in the nar future.