It's been a season full of highs and lows for Reading, who were promotion hopefuls before a ball had been kicked.

And, after an outstanding start to the season, which saw them beat the likes of Middlesbrough and Burnley, hopes were high among the Royals faithful.

Yet, it's all fallen apart, leaving Brian McDermott's men 13th in the Championship table.

As a Reading fan myself, I understand that the collapse of this season is down to a combination of factors, ranging from poor tactical decisions to individual errors to moments of madness or lapses in concentration.

A season which started off so promising has turned into yet another transitional one, and Reading fans will be fearful that if this trend continues, then they will turn from constant pre-season promotion hopefuls to another mid table side with a distinct lack of ambition.

Here, FootballLeagueWorld writer Harry Smith identifies the THREE worst moments of Reading's season so far...

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 3 WORST MOMENTS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Orlando Sa's moment of madness v Derby County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a heated game at the top of the table, the Portuguese forward lost his head, and earned himself a red card by head-butting a Derby player, reducing the Royals to ten men.

This left Reading with a lot to do in the second half, and a Tom Ince goal helped Derby to a 1-0 win.

This defeat signalled the end of Reading's outstanding run of form, and paved the way for a losing streak that would later snowball out of their control, and end all hopes for the season.

Steve Clarke's departure and the Fulham debacle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things appeared to be going swimmingly at the Madejski Stadium until Steve Clarke was rumoured to be interested in the vacant manager role at Fulham.

The revelation turned the Reading faithful against the Scotsman, and there were boos and cries for Clarke to be removed at the following games.

Although the move never materialised, the damage had been done and Clarke was sacked.

The momentum that the Royals had built up previously had all been lost.

Fulham 4-2 Reading

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It looked like Reading had repaired the damage that the defeat to Derby had caused, but a second half capitulation against an average Fulham side in October saw the wheels well and truly fall of the Reading promotion wagon.

After Orlando Sa and Lucas Piazon had given the Royals a 2-0 lead, they collapsed, and a Moussa Dembele double as well as a Ross McCormack goal and Alex Kacaniklic finish condemned them to defeat.

Reading fans... do you agree? Are these your worst moments of the season? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!