On the back of five successive wins in all competitions, Blackburn travelled to the bet365 Stadium to play Stoke City on Friday fully expecting to extend that run.
However, such is the nature of this division that they succumbed to a 3-2 scoreline to the Potters, conceding more times in 90 minutes than they had in five fixtures.
Only a late rally put some respectability on the scoreline, and Jon Dahl Tomasson had every reason to be disappointed with the manner of their defeat to a team who have little to play for.
That can be taken to be a lesson learned ahead of another match which fits the same criteria, although Blackburn will have confidence in their home form that the setback last week was only a blip.
Blackburn have collected 13 points from their most recent five outings at Ewood Park, the kind of return which may discourage Reading before they have made the trip to the North West.
Only Huddersfield Town possess a worse away record than Reading this season, the Royals accumulating just 11 points from 18 games on their travels.
As many as five consecutive defeats have been posted, the latest match on unfamiliar territory ending in a 5-0 victory to Middlesbrough, and Reading’s last win on the road came at Hull City before the World Cup.
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Although Reading remain 12 points clear of the relegation zone, they have posted three defeats in a row, the last two being at home to Sheffield United and Millwall by 1-0 scorelines.
While there will be some understanding that Reading are facing a promotion contender for the fourth match in succession, Paul Ince knows that he needs to end the current losing streak, aware that the club face a potential points penalty in the future.
Tomasson could decide that now is the right time to recall Ben Brereton Diaz to his Blackburn XI after a spell on the sidelines and substitutes’ bench.Callum Brittain could also return at right-back, as could Tyler Morton in midfield, with Joe Rankin-Costello, John Buckley and Tyrhys Dolan at risk of missing out.
