Analysis on a month that featured more outgoings than incomings, and a mixture of positives and negatives.
This is the most important positive from the January transfer window. Reading have four key attacking players who are capable of providing match-winning moments (and have done so already in their time with the Royals): Femi Azeez, Lewis Wing, Harvey Knibbs and Sam Smith.
Despite the fears of a mass sell-off that would include the above players, all stayed put. Reading reportedly had interest in all four of them and, whatever the precise reasons for declining sales, it was vital that they did so.
Most of the Deadline Day speculation was around Azeez, who was strongly linked with a move to Plymouth Argyle. Admittedly I had a bit of a heart-attack a couple of times, seeing differing reports/rumours that he was on his way to the Championship club, but ultimately he stayed put.
As did Wing, Knibbs and Smith, and to be honest I’m surprised there wasn’t more speculation about those three leaving. Wing in particular is at least top-end League One standard, if not Championship standard, so would have been a shrewd acquisition for a number of clubs.
To stay up this season, Reading will need to be able to roll out the formula of ‘keep things tight and then grab a goal or two from a moment of magic’. We won’t always be at our best (obviously), so will need to be able to fall back on individual ability: think of Azeez’ winner against Exeter City and Wing dragging us back into the game at Cheltenham Town as two examples.
The most important negative from the January window though is the long-term cost of Reading’s transfer activity. There’s a clear theme in who the Royals have cashed in on: young, talented players with long-term potential who’ve been developed in the academy. Say goodbye to Nelson Abbey (20), Caylan Vickers (19), Taylan Harris (18) and Cameron Frederick (16). Tom Holmes (23) and Tom McIntyre (25) are more experienced so don’t quite fit this bracket, although there are similarities.
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