Player of the Season – The contenders

The voting for Reading’s player of the season is open, and there only seems to be four candidates that stand out, which sums this season up really!

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Adam Federici – 46 apps – The clear favourite, despite his mistake on Saturday, for which the fans are fully behind Feders. Throughout the season, very much so in the first half of the campaign, Feders had to save us on several occasions with some heroic performances between the sticks. You could even class his performance against Arsenal as superb, minus the mistake obviously. What better way for the fans to show their support by voting for him as the player of the season, which I imagine he will get.

Michael Hector – 44 (+1) apps – If one player could win most improved, it would be nailed on for big Hec. Despite being just 22 years of age and played hardly any Championship football, he has been entrusted by both Nigel Adkins and Steve Clarke to be in the heart of defence, which he has really excelled at. Prior to Christmas he looked liable to mistakes, but since then and especially under Clarke, he has looked a class act. His man of the match performance against Arsenal, I’m sure, would have alerted some Premier League clubs.

Jamie Mackie – 23 (+12) apps – The Forest loanee joined and immediately suffered an early injury, which didn’t help. He appeared rushed back into the side and didn’t have a massive impact on the side. His turning point seemed to be back at Ipswich in February, as he scored with the winner with a great long range strike. Along with a superb spell of goalscoring form in March as a central striker, as well as his tireless work rate, he has affirmed himself as a fans favourite and many will want him to remain a Reading player beyond the summer.

Danny Williams – 27 (+2) apps – Injury plagued the early months of the American’s season, but since coming back in November, he has come back and been in great form. Williams has formed a great partnership with Nathaniel Chalobah, which showed against Arsenal on Saturday. Another fans favourite with his Sidwell-esque energy and passion in midfield, but a lack of games mean he probably will be overlooked for the vote this year.