Jaap Stam has taken Reading to the brink of the Premier League. A penalty awarded against Fulham and an acrobatic display by Reading goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi settled the second leg of an exhilarating tie.
My father and brother, season ticket holders at the 'Mad Stad,' were there to celebrate Reading's march to the play-off final. For most of the season, I have listened to them grumble about Reading's style of play.
'Sideways football,' my dad would call it.
'Not enough penetration,' my brother would add. The latter statement not necessarily born out by the facts: Although Reading's goal difference is plus four, a remarkable total for a team finishing third in the league, this small figure has more to do with the team's defensive frailties over the course of the season rather than their goalscoring ability.
Relegated Wigan Athletic conceded fewer goals than the Thames Valley side.
Reading's success attributed to confidence
Reading's success on the field can be attributed to a quiet, steely confidence kept warm under a cloak of low expectations. Throughout the season Stam has been keen to stress his team was not ready fro the playoffs, let alone promotion. A claim supported by Fulham's 5-0 thrashing of 'The Royals' earlier in the season at Craven Cottage. Fulham were favourites to win the playoff tie over the two legs, but Reading's growing confidence trumped the psychological damage a 5-0 beating can inflict.
Buoyed by victory over Fulham, today's announcement of a change of ownership has added more momentum to a wave carrying Reading to the promised land.
The new owners, brother and sister double act, Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li, unlike previous owners bearing gifts, seem to have the money to bankroll future expeditions to find glory.
An unsuccessful takeover of Hull City FC, left to fester in rumours of a failure to meet the requirements of a fit and proper person to run a Premier League club, did not cripple the siblings' efforts to take over the Thanes Valley club.
The EFL announced their approval of the takeover, but have insisted on scrutinising the club's future financial affairs, a requirement the new owners have accepted.
Eulogising Reading's success
I have yet to speak to my father about Reading's success. I am certain when we do; he will be eulogising about the style of play Jaap Stam has instilled in the team.
I will ask him about 'sideways football', a question he will choose to ignore. No doubt my dad will also be dreaming of an extension to the stadium, a plan already under consideration by the new owners. The next time I meet my brother I am sure he will be making tongue in cheek, half believed predictions of Reading challenging for the title and winning cups at the very least.
'Reading FC has huge potential,' my brother will say over a pint of craft beer. 'It's got a great catchment area you know.'
Gossip around the Mad Stad will inflate the new owners' wealth until it equates the GDP of a small African nation, all of which will no doubt be spent on players for the club.
In the meantime, there is the small matter of a Wembley Playoff Final to negotiate.
Reading are waiting to see who their opponents will be and would be confident of beating either Sheffield Wednesday or Huddersfield. If anything might trouble their thoughts, it might be Reading's playoff record. On Monday, 29th of May they will seek to reach the Premier League for the fifth time via the playoff; they have yet to succeed.
Fingers crossed.
