League Focus: Reading the Championship's Surprise Package So Far

Embryonic stages these may still be, but if there is a major surprise package this season; then Reading appear the most likely. They have won five of their last six games and Steve Clarke, courtesy of 13 summer signings, has brought the Berkshire side from mid-table obscurity last campaign to a genuine consideration when it comes to promotion challengers. 

Clarke's summer dealings have, arguably, been among the Championship's most astute. They paid a fee for only one player - £1m for the striker Orlando Sá from Legia Warsaw - while five were loaned in, discounting for defender Michael Hector, who was sold to Chelsea for £3m before being returned for the season. 

Hector, a Jamaican international from East London, has impressed in defence, but the star of the backline thus far has been Paul McShane. The Republic of Ireland international has so often been maligned, but is a near-perpetual reliable figure at Championship level and the defence have conceded only seven times - the joint best with Middlesbrough, Hull and Derby.  

On Saturday, they kept a clean sheet against a Boro team that had won seven games in a row before arriving at the Madejski Stadium and were the division's highest scorers with 17 from their opening nine games. What's more, Aitor Karanka's team rarely threatened. It took 37 minutes for them to register an attempt and that was a free kick from wide on the right that Stewart Downing decided to send in to Ali Al-Habsi's arms instead of crossing.

Bringing in the Champions League experienced Ola John from Benfica on loan caught the attention of the fans, while the addition of Lucas Piazón from Chelsea also adds another exciting option to the attacking midfield. 

Yet the real hero has been Nick Blackman, who has scored eight in his past eight games and won the club's player of the month award for both August and September. It must not be long before the 25-year-old has interested suitors from the Premier League if his current form continues. He has also contributed a pair of assists and scored the second in the 2-0 win against Boro - albeit from a penalty he also earned - despite being shunted out to the right as Clarke felt he was the best fit to track back and offer support against the visitors' strong left-side, which included summer returnee Downing. 

He is joined in the WhoScored best XI of the season to date by his club-mate Oliver Norwood, another to have shone in a defensive midfield role. Only Notttingham Forest (17.5) and Brighton (16.2) are averaging more shots per game than the Royals (15.1), while only Fulham (15) have scored more goals from open play than Reading (13). On the downside they have the third worst possession average (46.6%) - behind only Rotherham (45.9%) and Birmingham (43.8%) - but have been terrific at containing opposition attackers. 

For the most part the division is beginning to take on a familiar look - though Brighton maintain the only unbeaten record and still lead despite drawing their past three games. The division's highest rated player belongs to Chris Hughton's Seagulls. Dale Stephens, has gained a stupendous average of 7.75, with three goals and a pair of assists from midfield contributing to that. 

While the Championship seems to throw up a surprise result every weekend - as Autumn progresses those with the strongest squads are rising to the top - but the weaker teams are falling and falling. Or in the case of two of the three promoted sides, propping the table up.  

The other - MK Dons - are floating above the relegation zone on goal difference, though it should be qualified that only five points separate 13th from 24th. It would hardly be a brave prediction to say the relegation places will go right down to the wire, especially without a Blackpool-like figure, who appeared destined for the drop before a ball was even kicked last term. 

Reading and Middlesbrough aside, Derby are the form team having won four from their last five, Paul Clement obviously requiring a few weeks to settle in to his new job, while injuries to key players including Will Hughes were an additional curveball. They now sit seventh, five points off the top, and with a favourable immediate fixture list could well be sitting in the automatic promotion places by the time the next international break arrives.

Can Reading maintain their good form this season in their bid to return to the Premier League? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below