‘I love playing for Reading’ Midfielder on January window and ‘pragmatic’ away wins.

Reading midfielder Charlie Savage has remarked on the differences in style between Noel Hunt and Ruben Selles, claiming that their ‘pragmatic’ away performances could help close the form gap between home and away games. Savage, a Wales international, joined the team last year and has already made 72 appearances, scoring more goals this season than the entire previous year. The Royals, who are currently sixth in League One after finishing 17th last year, are aiming for an unexpected promotion amidst ownership instability.

Improving away form will be an important aspect in achieving this goal. Reading has won nine of their eleven home matches, but only three of their thirteen road games. This was also a major concern last season, with the Royals winning only four road matches in 2023/24 under Ruben Selles. Reading, on the other hand, has lost one of their four road matches under Hunt, while drawing two and winning one. Speaking on the team’s recent improvement before Saturday’s FA Cup exit to Burnley, 21-year-old Savage feels Hunt’s formation makes them more difficult to beat away from home.

“The system’s foundation is very similar to that of Selles, however there are some minor differences. We’re more pragmatic away from home, especially in the first 15-20 minutes. I think it’s a great idea because we’re a young team with a lot of legs, and if we can stay in games away from home, especially in the first half, we’ll come into our own in the second. First, be pragmatic, and then go for it in the second half. “Home form is better for most clubs, but we’re on the higher end of that scale, so it’s about balancing that–getting more points away from home while maintaining our good record at home.

“That is the first thing Hunty addressed: away from home, you have to play a little differently. We had some wonderful results in the early half of the season under Ruben at Peterborough and Exeter, but we’re now travelling a little further away from home. The only time it didn’t work was with Lincoln, but we sent a man out. The other two recent ones, and Wycombe, we’ve only lost one of our previous four or five away games, so we’re doing much better. Reading will host Stockport County on Saturday, who are currently ninth, before travelling to Leyton Orient and Burton Albion for the rest of January. During that period, supporters will be hoping that the squad stays together. with the transfer window open until February 3.

Savage, like the rest of the squad, is delighted in Berkshire since the team is on the rise. “Like with all players, you don’t know what is going to happen in this place,” he told me. “We saw last January that some players who had been with us for a long time had left. With me, I simply accept each day as it comes. I enjoy playing for Reading since they have provided me with numerous opportunities. They brought me from a large club, and I’ve played nearly 75 games, so I enjoy being here and hope to continue playing for Noel. “You have no idea what will happen with the owners tomorrow, so there’s no point in discussing it. We’re all happy here, we love playing for Reading and for Noel, so we take each day as it comes.”

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