Mark Bowen’s back-to-basics approach could bear fruit but is at risk of alienating fanbase

Often turbulent, mostly erratic and never straight-forward, the life of a Reading supporter could never be accused as boring.

Rewind to the last day of the previous campaign, supporters organised ‘Portugal Day’ in honour of their boss, Jose Gomes. Steering them to safety whilst introducing an attractive style of football, the Reading faithful believed they had a man they could finally trust.

In recent times, heavy has been the head that has worn the Royals crown. Scraping to safety in the previous two, this season is set to be no different.

A run of five losses in six matches saw Gomes sacked last week. Despite the wretched run and the mixed record – 23.68% win rate in 38 games – the 49-year-old was much loved within the club.

Every person you came across that worked for the club had nothing but good things to say about the man. He embraced the English culture, moving his family to UK shores. He also understood the importance of the Royals utilising their talented academy. Against Birmingham in May, Gomes started a front three consisting of Michael Olise, Danny Loader and Josh Barrett – all homegrown products.

However, Jose Gomes was now gone. Even the most staunch supporter of the manager would have accepted he had vulnerabilities. Yes the football was polished and the vision clear, but Reading lacked an edge. The sacking of the man who had been hailed as a hero just months prior was always going to be a gamble. Nevertheless, if it was with the intention to seek a change of direction, perhaps it was worth doing.

All of a sudden, five days later, Mark Bowen was in front of the camera, going through all the cliche poses – holding the scarf, arms aloft, arms crossed etc. The sporting director who was put in charge to seek a fresh replacement had been appointed the manager.

While the thought of a sporting director sacking someone to appoint himself is somewhat unusual and comical for the football fan, it wasn’t for a Reading supporter. Every social media post, every tweet from the @ReadingFC account was met by a barrage of abuse. In fact, the snake emoji was the preferred method for supporters to voice their displeasure – make of that what you will.

The Madjeski was turned Red and Green for ‘Portugal Day’ last season – photo: 6 Pointer

The sense that Bowen had sold his colleague down the river for personal gain left a bitter taste in mosts mouth. Not only that, but the appointment was hardly inspiring; after all, he had no experience as the number one at any club and kept most of the exisiting coaching staff in place.

Although Eddie Niedzwiecki was brought in as assistant manager, the fitness coach, the goalkeeping coach and the analyst were the same. The complete U-turn Reading fans were expecting after Gomes was dimissed turned out to be a slight diversion instead.

Bowen’s programme notes for his first match against Preston were mostly spent attempting to justify his appointment, highlighting the fact that he’s had ‘500 Premier League games under his belt as a coach,’ working as a number two to Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes in that time.

While their dramatic victory against Preston would have done little to salvage Bowen’s reputation at the Madjeski, what if things were different and are different?

For so long, Reading have garnered a particular reputation. They’ve been rich with technical talent, witnessed in the likes of John Swift and Ovie Ejaria, but were extremely frail. Too nice. Too naive. Too easy to play against. If the Royals were a car, they were a shiny new sports convertable. The issue was, they didn’t always have the necessary fuel.

Captain Liam Moore even admitted it, revealing he felt the side were “naive and played in a way that we would struggle to get results unless we were on our A-game.”

Mark Bowen is under no illusion that he faces an uphill task in his first managerial job. Somehow, someway, the Welshman has to break the current cycle.

Admittedly bigger challenges lie ahead, but whisper it quietly, we may have already seen evidence of the tide changing in his first game.

In what was a scrappy, turgid affair, Reading displayed something neither I or many Reading supporters have seen for a while. Against Preston they appeared streetwise. Battle-hardened. They were more direct, more aggressive and never looked like they were going to roll over for the Championship’s in-form side.

If they are able to combine Gomes’ free-flowing style with Bowen’s industrious approach, then just maybe this decision could prove shrewd in the long-run.

But right now, the disconnection between the supporters and the club is the overriding dilemma. At what point do they risk dividing a fan base to back an unwanted coach?