"I don't see any reason" - Sky Sports pundit drops exciting Reading FC prediction | OneFootball

Don Goodman has provided his thoughts to FLW regarding Noel Hunt's start to life as Reading FC boss.

Reading may be struggling financially, with supporters hoping that owner Dai Yongge will sell the Berkshire outfit as quickly as possible, but results on the pitch are positive under Noel Hunt following Ruben Selles' departure, which has impressed Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman.

The Royals have struggled financially for years now, and there have been many false dawns when it comes to maligned Chinese businessman selling up to another party. Ex-Wycombe Wanderers chairman Rob Couhig looked set to take the Berkshire outfit forward, but in September his bid dramatically fell through.

That has left Reading fans concerned for the last three months, with no end in sight to their woes off the pitch.

An embargo, transfer restrictions, and a points' deduction were all contributing factors to their downfall during the 2022/23 campaign, and such issues threaten to be a problem again in the near-future unless a takeover is secured.

Some of the off-field issues that both Selles and Hunt have been forced to deal with during his time in Berkshire make their jobs even more impressive, as Reading have continuously swum against the tide under the ownership of Yongge. Hunt has been in charge for just over a month now, securing three wins and two draws from his first seven league games in charge and continuing to defy the odds.

Don Goodman's verdict on Noel Hunt and Reading

Reading remain in the play-off picture, with news off the pitch also looking more positive too. The Sun has reported that Paul Taylor, a banker and financier, has been in talks over the last few months about purchasing Reading, and rescuing them out of an incredibly dire situation.

Don Goodman has been impressed with Hunt since coming in under difficult circumstances after Selles joined Hull City in the Championship. He has won three League One matches on the bounce at Reading, and we asked just how impressive that achievement is given the circumstances.

Speaking to Football League World via Plejmo . com, he said: "Reading are in a scrap to stay in that top six. There are some teams who are beginning to hit some form, so their point away at Charlton, who are trying to hunt them down, was a good one.

"I don't see any reason as to why Reading can't stay in the top six. Noel Hunt has stepped in seamlessly and the fact that it's a club he knows and loves will have helped him and helped the fans get behind him.

"He's had a brilliant start in charge. The group is good enough to keep them in the top six but the key for Reading is not to let anyone leave during the window and for them to keep their best players fit."

Reading defy the odds with some excellent young talent continuing to impress for them. There are many teenagers who Selles and Hunt have been forced to thrust into the action earlier than planned due to the small squad that they have.

Unfortunately, square pegs in round holes have been required because of their ownership situation, with the EFL limiting the Royals to bringing in just one addition during the summer transfer window. Chem Campbell was the only man to join, coming in to address a hole out wide following the departure of Femi Azeez.

The lack of a takeover being completed does not help Hunt, as he has entered the January transfer window with the club still under a registration embargo for a breach of Regulation 16.7.4 Submission of Annual Accounts, meaning for now, there will be no fresh faces added to the squad.

Reading will be aiming to bolster their squad prior to the end of the transfer window, if the ownership issue is resolved and confirmed in time. At some stage, the club will hope that they are in a position to recruit more seniority, but in the meantime, they won't be able to make any further additions until current owner Yongge sells the club.

For now, the priority remains funding the club on a day-to-day basis.