After a turbulent couple of weeks off the pitch, who would have imagined the scenes on the pitch of Reading players and fans celebrating an unexpected result taking a point from runaway Championship leaders at the SCL Stadium today. Having had six points docked by the EFL in the middle of a run of poor form the Royals had dropped in to the bottom three for the first time this season. With only five games remaining and facing three games against top six sides in eight days, even the most optimistic Reading fans were fearing the worst. The board decided to sack manager Paul Ince last week and temporarily handed responsibility for the first team to Under 21 coach Noel Hunt. It was a bold move which paid off immediately.

Reading remain in the bottom three but only on goal difference and with a huge boost to their confidence. The significant and immediate impact of the new manger was plain for all to see. The team, selection gave Reading a more youthful and energetic demeanour but also greater confidence in and out of possession. Burnley are a very good side and dominated possession, but interestingly conceded thirteen fouls to Reading’s eight. Burnley’s formation was simple but effective. Playing with three at the back and three up front and three in midfield they used two wide players to either make five up front going forward or five at the back out of possession.

Hunt’s influence was there for all to see as his team soaked up pressure, defending with a composure and discipline that inspired confidence as opposed to the desperation which has so often resulted in costly errors this season. In contrast to recent games players looked more willing to stay on the ball and won free kicks in tight positions because they kept their composure instead of hastily looking to offload the ball. Femi Azeez worried Burnley with his pace on the break but his finishing lacked the sharpness which could well come with more minutes on the pitch. Yiadom was inspirational in the opening exchanges lifting the crowd by snapping into tackles and winning the ball as Burnley tried to play their way out of their own half.

Reading managed seven scoring attempts, all off target, but for all their possession on Burnley only managed to create clear cut scoring opportunity, Benson’s shot well saved by Lumley. It was also their only shot on target in the entire match. Lumley, apart from his customary yellow card for time wasting, caught just about every ball into the box.

Tactically Hunt was streets ahead of Paul Ince. He used four substitutes, and introduced them in time to make an impact midway through the second half. Guinness-Walker had been pinned back by Burnley preference to attack the left side of Reading’s defence. Replacing him with Mbengue for his defensive energy was wise. Andy Carroll replaced Ehibhationmhan for the last twenty minutes. His physical presence and link up play unsettled the Burnley back four. Fornah was again disappointed to be substituted but he had already played a significant part in a good team performance when replaced by Arbefa. Camara replaced a very weary Azeez and looked confident and added a sharpness in possession when under pressure.

The mood, it appeared, had changed almost overnight. The anxious defensive personality of the previous manager, often reflected in his often embarrassing post-match interviews, was no longer influencing the tactics and the attitudes of the players. This was more positive, calmer, and reassuring display than we a have seen for some time. There was more enthusiasm and energy and less fear and aggression. The bonus was today’s result means Burnley are now unable to beat Reading’s proud Championship title winning 106 points total record this season. For Reading fans it was draw which felt like a victory and everyone went home happy.

John Wells