Four points inside the drop zone and without a manager going into an away trip against league leaders Manchester United, Reading is in real danger of relegation.
Brian McDermott was sacked on Monday after four successive defeats left the Royals languishing in 19th on the Premier League table.
After a mini-revival of sorts throughout January, in which Reading won three of four games and came from 2-0 down to draw with Chelsea, recent results were deemed not good enough by owner Anton Zingarevich and McDermott was shown the door.
McDermott’s record at Reading was good. He had led them to the play-off final in his first season in charge, before guiding the side to the Championship title and subsequently promotion last season.
However four defeats, including two against relegation rivals Aston Villa and Wigan, ultimately left Zingarevich with a decision to make.
Yet with no successor announced and the club in a state of limbo going to Old Trafford this weekend, there’s a chance McDermott’s sacking could derail any potential chance of survival.
Former West Ham striker Paolo Di Canio is being touted as a frontrunner to replace McDermott, while ex-Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo and ex-Southampton manager Nigel Adkins are also reported candidates.
Reading’s opponents this weekend, Manchester United, also have a small issue on their hands – that concerning star striker Wayne Rooney.
Rooney’s recent absence from United’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid put forward questions regarding his future at Old Trafford. An alleged private spat with Alex Ferguson had tabloids splashed with stories of a £35 million move away from the Red Devils, with Manchester City and Real Madrid seen as likely destinations.
Ferguson has been quick to quash the rumours, stating his player would be offered a new and improved deal in the near future, however a quick Google search would tell you he said the same regarding Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
In one of this weekend’s most important matches, bottom-placed QPR travels to Aston Villa with the chance to move just a point from the relegation zone.
QPR’s come-from-behind 3-1 win over Sunderland last weekend was inspired by Harry Redknapp’s shrewd January signings. Loic Remy netted the equaliser before two of Redknapp’s former Tottenham troops sealed the vital three points. Loanee Andros Townsend hit a wonder-goal to put the Hoops in front, before Jermaine Jenas added a late third.
While many doubted Redknapp’s ability to produce yet another Houdini act when he took over at QPR, some are now starting to believe. A trip to Aston Villa this weekend is followed by winnable games against Fulham, Wigan, Stoke and Reading in the coming month.
Predictions
Saturday March 16 at 11.45pm
Everton 1-3 Manchester City
Sunday March 17 at 2.00am
Aston Villa 2-2 QPR
Southampton 0-2 Liverpool
Stoke 1-1 West Bromwich Albion
Swansea 2-2 Arsenal
Sunday March 17 at 4.30am
Manchester United 4-0 Reading
Monday March 18 at 12.30am
Sunderland 2-1 Norwich
Monday March 18 at 2.00am
Tottenham 3-1 Fulham
Monday March 18 at 3.00am
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
Wigan 1-1 Newcastle
Riley Beveridge is a second-year Bachelor of Sports Journalism student at La Trobe University. You can follow him on Twitter: @RileyBev.
