As it stands, Royals are right in the promotion mix

I have always enjoyed the “As It Stands” league table. Recently we celebrated the tenth anniversary of Reading being top of the Premier League table. That was at half time during a game at Stamford Bridge back in 2012.

Last Friday night for roughly 2 mins and 46 seconds (OK, I admit I put a stopwatch on it replaying the game on the telly later, so exactly rather than roughly), Reading were top of the Championship. Andy Carroll’s penalty put Paul Ince’s team top of the Championship after 12.3 games of the season (exactly).

2 mins 46 seconds is the blink of an eye. That’s quicker than a government economic U turn. Regardless, I still had time to mention the lofty position in the table during the radio commentary, and skilfully multi-tasking grab a screenshot from the BBC Sport website. Who knows how long it will be before Reading is next top of the table? This Saturday at 5 o’clock? Years? We just don’t know.

Some remarkable results on the Saturday afternoon – namely Sheffield United losing at Stoke and Norwich losing at home to Preston – means Reading are just two points behind the three teams locked together on 24 points at the top of the table. If Reading win against struggling West Brom, and Sheffield United, Norwich, QPR and Burnley all lose, then they will go top on a more permanent basis.

The “As It Stands” table is far more fascinating. I would like to know whether it is automated, or whether there is a nerdy individual manually updating this table as each goal is scored. If it is the former whoever devised the computer software must be a genius. If it is the latter I want that job.

For 2 mins and 46 seconds Reading must have gone from pre-season favourites for relegation to favourites for automatic promotion. In the space of just over two months they have completely turned things round.

Unfortunately Reading went on to lose the game and finish the weekend fifth in the Championship but don’t let that rain on our parade. They are still in great form, serving up delicious entertainment every time they play. It is good fun. Frankly it has been quite grim most of the last four years.

The West Bromwich Albion game this Saturday will be a classic tripwire. Ex players always seem to come back and score against Reading, so watch out for John Swift. They are in management turmoil, making their tactics unpredictable. Reading’s recent record against them is not good. Beware the wounded animal.

Fans ought to be piling back in to watch Reading games now. They play an entertaining brand of football. Andy Carroll and Paul Ince add some celebrity star dust. Games are generally edge of the seat. The team is doing well and the atmosphere is getting more excitable and raucous by the week. It is rather like the good old days. This team deserves a decent home support each week.

Besides, there is a decent chance if Reading strike first they could return to the top of the “As It Stands” table, and nobody wants to miss that.