Reading faced defeat yet again on Saturday, as a solitary goal from Famara Diedhiou gave the Robins all three points at Ashton Gate.

The result meant that the Royals have now lost five of their last six Championship fixtures and have slipped into the relegation zone after Huddersfield's victory over Hull.

It's something Reading supporters are all the more used to after last season's narrow escape from relegation.

They were hoping for something different this season, and despite the squad revamp, it's looking like the same fate for the Royals as they failed to muster up an equalising goal on Saturday.

Here areTHREE things we clearly learned about the Royals in the defeat at Ashton Gate on the weekend...

George Puscas is low on confidence

The striker signed in the summer from Inter Milan and got his Reading career off to a flyer as he scored a brace against a strong Cardiff side at the Madejski Stadium.

Since, it hasn't gone well for the Romanian and he's been at fault for missing a number of clear-cut chances. He did the same on Saturday, and with the ball played across the box and an open goal to aim at, Puscas got his legs tangled up and couldn't hit the target.

It's an odd dilemma that the Royals face, as Puscas is able to use his movement and get in the positions better than most Championship strikers, but he just can't score at the moment and needs a confidence boost as soon as possible.

Matt Miazga makes a difference

The defender returned from injury and made a massive difference to the Royals' backline as they looked to be more defensively solid in the fixture.

He has been the better defender over the season, and Michael Morrison and Liam Moore both haven't been at their best.

The return of Miazga gives the back three more strength and height, as well as a player who is technically good enough on the ball to play the style that the Royals want to play.

Creation is there, clinical strikers aren't

The chances are there and the game style isn't that bad but the strikers just aren't clinical enough with Puscas and Yakou Meite both missing a number of really good chances.

Ovie Ejaria once again created tonnes of great attempts, and when Lucas Boye came on he did the same, but neither were helped by the forwards up the pitch who couldn't finish them off.

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