Mon 31 Jul - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 3mins
Our countdown to the new Sky Bet Championship season leaves us with just five teams left to profile as Friday night’s curtain-raiser at Sunderland continues to edge closer.
Since the middle of July, we have been looking at all the clubs that Gary Rowett’s side will be coming up against over the 2017/18 campaign.
The latest, though, is one that we could have quite easily not been talking about.
Today,dcfc.co.uk takes a look at the club that was a penalty shootout away from a return to the Premier League…
Manager: Jaap Stam
Nickname: The Royals
Stadium Capacity: 24,161
Place Last Season: 3rd, Lost in Play-Off Final (85 Points)
Top Scorer (2016/17): Yann Kermorgant (19 Goals)
Promotion Odds (According to Coral): 6/1
Home – Saturday 4th November 2017 (kick-off: 3pm)
Away – Saturday 24th February 2018 (kick-off: 3pm)
Reading 1-1 Derby County
Derby County 3-2 Reading
After the long slog of a Sky Bet Championship season, it came down to a kick of a football that would determine as to whether Reading would be returning to the Premier League or remaining in the second tier.
Goalless after 120 minutes of action, nothing separated them and Huddersfield Town in the showpiece play-off final at Wembley Stadium – promotion would have to be settled via the lottery of the penalty shootout.
Reading looked well on course at one point.
The Royals were 3-1 up one stage, but we had learned over the 2016/17 season never to rule out Huddersfield and this proved to be the case again as they roared back to win the shootout 4-3 after Liam Moore and Jordan Obita missed their crucial kicks.
There’s no doubt it was a kick in the teeth for Reading, but should they avoid any hangover from their disappointment, Jaap Stam will feel his side have got enough to take that next step this time around.
The former uncompromising Manchester United defender must feel that’s the case.
Despite speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League, Stam, instead, decided to sign a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2019.
On top of that, the Royals have recently had a takeover too and bolstered the squad that did so well last term – adding the likes of Vito Mannone, Jón Dadi Bödvarsson and Pelle Clement.
Reading have lost their influential midfielder, Danny Williams, after he linked up with Huddersfield in the Premier League, but nevertheless, they look like a club with a plan in place.
There are the solid foundations. There is a plan. A solid and effective style of play. A manager that has proven he can get the best out of his players. And importantly, a talented group that believe in the path they are on.
They might have taken the division by surprise last season, but if they were to be up there again, you wouldn’t be surprised at all.
