I really, really wanted it to work out for Noel Hunt. In the end though, it just wouldn’t.
On Sunday afternoon, his second spell in the Reading dugout finally came to an end. Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Doncaster
Rovers was hardly the worst result of the Royals’ season so far, but it was an all-too-familiar uninspired, wayward performance, and ultimately it proved fatal.
Owner Rob Couhig said in his statement announcing Hunt’s departure:
“Football is a performance-based business and while we have seen moments of progress this season, results have not reached the level required. After honest discussions inside the club in recent weeks, I believe this is the right moment to make a change to move us forward.”
You could also tell on Saturday that many fans in attendance had run out of patience. They showed it in different ways though. As much as the audible booing in the second half and chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from a loud minority stood out, there was a palpably flat, empty resignation throughout so much of the rest of the stadium.
Hunt himself seemed, in his post-match interview, to have run out of energy. Body language says so much and his – downbeat, lacking in spark or defiance – was telling. Perhaps he knew even then that his time at the club was up.
The bottom line is that this is the right decision. Although Reading showed promise against Cardiff City and Northampton Town, snapping back into old habits performance-wise to such an extent against a badly out-of-form Doncaster Rovers side was alarming. Proof, it seemed, that Hunt was incapable of turning things around.
Those old habits have stubbornly refused to budge. The Royals’ play this season has consistently lacked structure, energy and quality going forwards. Simply put, this side hasn’t been well coached enough, and so much of the spirit that defined Reading’s displays in the last two seasons has ebbed away.
Although the summer window didn’t go as smoothly as we all wanted, ultimately, Hunt can’t say he wasn’t backed. Reading’s squad is a very competitive one for this division with a mixture of individual ability and experience, and Hunt had enough time to make things work: almost three months of the season, amounting to 20 games in all competitions.
Results haven’t been good enough. Although seven wins, six draws and seven defeats from those 20 fixtures doesn’t look so bad on the face of it, just three victories came in the league (from 14 matches). The Royals only scored more than once in three league games.
That’s left Reading 19th in the division, nine points adrift of the top six and just two ahead of the bottom four. The Royals will sink into the relegation zone before their next league outing – almost a fortnight away when Stevenage come to town – if Port Vale and Plymouth Argyle win on Monday and Tuesday respectively.
It’s also a good time to make this decision. Hunt got a fair crack of the whip, and his successor – whoever that’ll be – will have a free week now before Saturday’s game against Carlisle United, as well as most of the following week.
Away from all of that though, I really do feel for Hunt. His commitment to Reading Football Club can’t be called into question: a hard-working player on the pitch, a keen advocate for its academy during a successful spell as under-21 manager, and someone who did his best in the dugout.
And it’s hardly as if it’s been all bad under his tenure. He arrived in the midst of an off-field crisis last season, when mid-table stability looked to be a decent aim, but surpassed expectations by taking the playoff push until the final day. That shouldn’t be forgotten.
That 2-0 win at home to Wrexham which reignited our season. The 5-1 demolition of Mansfield Town on their turf. The 2-0 victory at Bristol Rovers on the penultimate weekend. Hunt’s management gave us some fantastic memories last season, memories that I for one will always cherish.
So while he wasn’t quite up to the task of taking the club forwards this season, he deserves respect.
Thanks Noel, and all the very best.
