Reading supporters have endured a recent turnaround in results since Mark Bowen took over as first-team manager of the club.

It has seen the Welshman lose just two games in his first seven matches, and the Royals have looked much harder to break down as they look to try and push up the table.

Throughout the summer, Reading spent money on a number of different players such as George Puscas and Lucas Joao. They are now looking to pick up form and keep improving, with there still so much of the season left to play.

There is some even more hope for Reading fans as there is a real pivotal period coming up, and it all starts on Saturday when Birmingham come to the Madejski Stadium.

The next five games for Reading are vital and will decide whether the Royals can compete in the upper part of the table or whether they are condemned to battle near the bottom for another Championship season.

Reading follow the Birmingham match with trips to lowly Barnsley and Stoke, before facing Derby and QPR at the Madejski Stadium.

All of these matches the supporters will see as winnable and the Royals must back up the impressive victory over Wigan with more wins in the coming weeks. They won't have a better opportunity for a run than this, so they must make sure to take the chance.

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If Reading can pick up anywhere over 10 points out of the next five games, then there's no reason why they can't be competing in the top half come January. Bowen has installed a belief that the fans are now really starting to take in their stride and supporters have to give them their full backing ahead of these crucial fixtures.

The squad that the Royals have is very good on paper, but this division is unbelievably tricky and Reading have to get out of that mentality that they're not capable of fighting near the top end of the league.

Supporters will be excited looking at the fixtures, but the Royals have to keep their composure and ensure that they see out the three points in their game with Birmingham on Saturday.