How are Reading’s squad looking after the January transfer window?

10 February 2022
By Hob Nob Anyone?

There are two transfer windows in the English football leagues which give clubs the opportunity to add players to their squad and release others. It's always an exciting period in the footballing calendar as fans see who management can secure that will strengthen their side and hopefully culminate in better results.

The current transfer system was introduced in 2002- before that teams could transfer freely right up until the end of March. Nowadays, English clubs have a pre-season window which runs from June 9 to August 31 and a mid-season window running from January 1 to January 31. The January transfer window can herald a change of fortune for clubs that have been underperforming in the first half of the season- a club, few would argue, like Reading FC.

The transfer periods can have a marked impact on a team's performance and odds for betting on matches will reflect this. A star signing that slots into the team's system can improve the odds at betting sites, for example, of a team avoiding relegation.

Reading's performance so far

Reading have had a testing start to the 2021-22 season and currently teeter on the brink of the relegation zone after 29 games played. 22nd position Peterborough United trail the Royals by only two points and also have a game in hand. To add to the tension, Cardiff City who are one place above are a full ten points clear- so Reading are truly engaged in a battle to avoid becoming a League One side next season.

The problems the club are facing are not solely a result of the performance on the pitch. Reading were handed a six point deduction for being found in breach of financial regulations caused by overspending. They may also have to endure a further six-point penalty next season.

Being faced with these hardships, you might think it would be difficult to attract new talent to the club, struggling to tread water but the January window did see some movement in both directions.

Signings and departures in the January transfer window

Keeper Rafael Cabral's contract was terminated on January 17 by mutual consent as the Brazilian returned to Cruzeiro in his motherland after nine years in Europe. Teenage goalkeeper Karl Hein arrived from Arsenal to fill the spot as number two behind Luke Southwood, and midfielder Tom Ince joined the Royals from Stoke City. Both come to the club on loan until the end of their 21-22 campaign.

Reading defender Luke Moore made a departure from the club to swap places with Ince at rivals Stoke. The news was announced after the transfer deadline but the paperwork was completed in time.

Andy Carroll's two-month contract with the club came to a close as West Brom snapped him up before the January 31 deadline. While Carroll wasn't prolific at the club his absence has already been felt, especially in the final thirds of important fixtures.

Striker George Puscas was announced to be heading to Italian side Pisa for the remainder of the season. It is likely not many will be sad to see the back of the largely underwhelming Romanian Forward who joined Reading for a record transfer of €8 million euros plus €2 million in bonuses from Inter Milan. Puscas has managed to score only 20 goals from his 91 appearances.

However, coach Veljko Paunovi? has been adopting a two up front system and losing a striker of any sort leaves the squad imbalanced up front. A lot of fans believe there was simply not enough transfer business conducted during the mid-season window at a crucial time for the club.

In line with FIFA regulations, free agents can be signed by a club at any time of the year- even outside transfer windows- if they were already released by their previous club before the deadline. Hope hangs on to the possibility that Reading can acquire some free agents in the coming months now that the club's amended wage bill will allow for it.

The remainder of the season

So how does the remaining season see Reading fare? Thankfully Derby's run of blistering form seems to have petered out, since the Rams looked like they would drive clear of the relegation zone following an agonising 21-point deduction. They've won only one of their last five fixtures but are still steadily accruing points.

The last five games for Paunovi?'s side have not done anything to encourage fans, failing to pick up a single point from any of them, including throwing away some leads held right up to stoppage time. Reading have upcoming matches against several mid table sides where they will look to salvage what they can but the six pointer as it stands is the February 16 tie against Peterborough United where only three points will do.

Relegation would bring uncertainty in spades for the future of the club. Funding from the owner would hang in the balance and the support of the Category 1 academy, that the first team relies heavily upon, would be open to speculation. Moods at the MadStad are still subdued and weary as the rot shows no signs of subsiding.

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