If you want a neat encapsulation of this Reading side at the moment, you’ll find it in the Royals’ six February games. Having lost at AFC Wimbledon, Leam Richardson’s team secured back-to-back wins over Wigan Athletic and Wycombe Wanderers, then consecutive draws against Bolton Wanderers and Port Vale, before ending the month on a victorious high when Bradford City came to town.
On paper it’s all good news – three wins, two draws and one defeat makes for excellent form – but overall performances were
not quite so convincing. I’m not here to go over all that again though. Instead, you guessed it (the title of the article was probably a giveaway), it’s an individual standout we’re after.
Those on our shortlist will be hoping to follow on from Haydon Roberts, who won the January award with 47% of the vote. That put him ahead of Jack Marriott (28%), Finley Burns (18%) and Lewis Wing (7%).
Our previous winners this season are Derrick Williams (August), Jack Marriott (September), Charlie Savage (October and November) and Joel Pereira (December).
Jack Marriott
Average rating: 6.60 / Man of the match awards: 1st (AFC Wimbledon A), 1st (Wycombe Wanderers H), 3rd (Bolton Wanderers H)
Another month, another big goal haul from Marriott, who hit five in five. His scoring prowess is such that he’s surely the most important player in this team, so his absence due to injury will be keenly felt. While his Wycombe hat-trick was obviously his standout performance, and the best home display of any Reading player this season, well taken goals against the Dons and Trotters deserve credit too.
Paudie O’Connor
Average rating: 6.17 / Man of the match awards: 1st (Wigan Athletic A), Joint-3rd (Wycombe Wanderers H)
After taking his time to get up to speed at Reading, February was probably the best month so far for summer signing O’Connor. He was a particularly commanding performer at the back in the air, consistently winning duels, and also being among the goals twice (an assist at Wimbledon, a winner at Wigan).
Charlie Savage
Average rating: 5.17 / Man of the match awards: 1st (Bolton Wanderers H)
Not quite as consistent as others on this list perhaps, but Savage was Reading’s most creative player in a month when creativity wasn’t always easy to come by. He turned provider for Marriott twice, setting the striker up for crucial goals against Wycombe and Bolton, and it was his cross that Matt Ritchie nodded home for a late winner over Bradford.
Benn Ward
Average rating: 6.60 / Man of the match awards: 2nd (Wigan Athletic A), 2nd (Wycombe Wanderers), 2nd (Bolton Wanderers), 1st (Bradford City H)
What an excellent signing Ward has been! Going by the eye test he’s been a real touch of class at the back, both defensively and in how he uses the ball, and the stats back that up. His average rating is the joint-highest of anyone in the squad (only joint-highest because of Marriott’s wonder display against Wycombe), and he was involved in the top three of our man of the match voting more than any other.
Vote
So those are your candidates, but who gets your vote? Cast your ballot through this link right here.
