In his first managerial job in over eight years, Paul Ince has steered Reading to Championship survival with 15 points from 12 matches.
The Royals lost 3-0 away at Hull City last weekend but still secured safety because Peterborough United were beaten by Nottingham Forest.
Defeat at the MKM Stadium was only a second loss in eight games for Reading, who have steadily picked up points under Ince – including three wins from six at home – to get themselves over the line.
Still only caretaker manager, Ince has remained coy on his long-term future in Berkshire and says that nothing will be addressed until after the final game of the season against Luton Town.
If he does stay beyond this summer, one of his first priorities must be sorting out Reading’s leaky defence – they have conceded the most goals in the Championship this season (85).
Steve Bruce was appointed at West Brom two weeks before Ince joined Reading, but he has had less joy in the dugout as the Baggies have picked up just 16 points from 15 games under his stewardship.
A 0-0 draw against Midlands neighbours Coventry City last weekend officially ended the club’s top six hopes, but in truth that ship had sailed long ago.
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Albion have won just one of their last four matches and that solitary victory over Blackpool only came courtesy of a 93rd-minute goal from Karlan Grant.
Only four teams in the Championship have picked up fewer points away from home this season than the Baggies (20), who have lost eight of their last 10 league games on the road.
However, they are unbeaten in their last five matches against Reading and won 1-0 in this season’s reverse fixture at The Hawthorns courtesy of Callum Robinson’s second-half goal.
