Mark Bowen has revitalised Reading in the short time he's been there, but just how far can they go this season?

'Bowen-ball' has swept through Berkshire, taking a struggling Reading side with it.

Reading's appointment of Sporting Director Mark Bowen raised a lot of eyebrows last month but those brows have since been lowered, with Bowen going on a four-match unbeaten run to begin his first-team managerial career.

Famously the number two to Mark Hughes, this is Bowen's first job as the main man in the dugout. Reading have won three of their opening four under Bowen, their last being a 3-0 win at home to Luton to see them into the international break in 17th.

It's been a stark contrast to Jose Manuel Gomes' Reading who looked all but destined for relegation in the earlier parts of the season.

In the wake of Bowen's appointment, it was noted that he'd been working hard on the fitness of the players and four games later, his side have quickly identified themselves as a fast-paced, attacking, high-pressing side who complement the modern game.

Fans can call it 'Bowen-ball'. But how far can 'Bowen-ball' take Reading in the Championship this season?

The Championship was incredibly tight in the opening stages and though the table is beginning to spread, a good run can see a team climb several places. Reading themselves are an example of this - third from bottom when Bowen took over, now they have a five-point buffer from Middlesbrough in 22nd.

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It's easy for fans to get carried away after four games under a new manager - for all we know Bowen could be out of a job by March and Reading in League One come next season. But the early signs suggest that there's plenty more to come from them this season.

At the beginning of the campaign, where Reading would finish was anyone's guess and after the start they made, Championship survival quickly became the aim.

Now it seems that Reading will play out a rather uninspiring, mid-table season and ready themselves for a 'big one' next year. But why wait until then?

If Reading's form were to continue until say, Christmas, then they'd be in the top-half and knocking on the door on the top-six. And if good business is done in January by the club then well, Reading fans could be in for a momentous second-half of the season.