2. The Second Half of the Season Effect
In the last three seasons the pattern has been remarkably similar for Reading - a poor start followed by a remarkable recover. After Steve Coppell left, Brendan Rogers was appointed for the 2009-10 season but was unable to gain any ground in the Championship. As Reading's season drifted away Brendan was dismissed and Brian McDermott took over and rejuvenated by knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup at Anfield. The team then went on to almost make the play-offs. The 2010-11 season again started slowly but the team ended up at Wembley where they were, on the day, beaten by a Swansea side who were ironically managed by Brendan Rogers. This defeat threatened the start of the 2011-12 season, but the take over of the club by Anton Zingarevich allowed for the signing of Jason Roberts and the team ended up putting together the run of form that eventually saw them first gain promotion and then finish the seasons as champions.