This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Following back-to-back defeats in their opening Championship fixtures, Reading got their season up and running with an impressive 3-0 win over Cardiff City in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Sunday lunchtime.

The win marked a fine team performance by the Royals with the stand-out effort from new signing striker George Puscas, who chipped in with two goals on the day, for which he was rewarded as being named a man-of-the-match.

The former Inter Milan striker joined Reading in the summer for an undisclosed fee, with the Royals beating off interest from Championship rivals Leeds United and Birmingham City who were both interested in the 23-year-old.

So have Leeds United and Birmingham City missed a trick after the Royals managed to land Puscas?

We discuss.........

Chris Gallagher

"It seems like it!

"What a debut the Romanian had and it seems as though he could be a top player in the Championship this season.

"Of course, it's risky to judge a player from one game but he displayed so many good traits, with pace, power and skill for his excellent first goal followed by sharp movement for his second. That shows he can sniff out chances and he has the physicality to thrive at this level.

"Anyone who saw him play for the U21s this summer will have realised what a talent he is and three goals in his last two games suggest that Blues and Leeds could regret not moving for Puscas."

Alfie Burns

“The early signs have been very good, and he ripped Cardiff to pieces – although I’m sure Warnock will be livid with his defence.

“For Leeds, I’m not entirely sure the interest was serious, but Birmingham will probably be regretting not making a move.

“Time will tell, and both might be regretting not going the extra distance that Reading did, but it is early days.

“What is certain is that Reading fans have something to look forward to at last.”

[ad_pod ]

Louie Chandler

"It's one they could definitely live to regret.

"Especially Birmingham. You get the feeling that after Che Adams left, Puscas would have been the perfect statement signing to make in order to win the fans back on side.

"In Nketiah and Bamford, Leeds have two decent options to lead the line, however, the permanent signing of Puscas would have helped heal the departure of Roofe far better.

"You saw in his performance against Cardiff just how much he has to offer, scoring two very different goals, and Reading undoubtedly have a valuable commodity."