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As we gear up for our Player of the Season vote later this week, we have one final monthly award to hand out, which covers the final seven matches games of the season in April and May. Reading won once, lost twice and drew four times in this period as Championship safety was officially secured with a game to spare, and these were the key men (in alphabetical order) that helped them do it...
Lewis Baker
Average rating: 7.14 (7 appearances); Man of the Match awards: Hull City (1st), West Brom (1st), Brentford (3rd), Birmingham City (3rd)
After a slow start to life in Berkshire, Lewis Baker has ended his time at the club by being the loanee that many people want to keep the most. He has excelled in the role of sitting just in front of the defence, offering protection to the backline but also looking dangerous in possession with a number of good balls forward or passes out wide. April also saw Baker register his only Reading a goal, a sublime strike from outside the box against Hull City.
Emi Martinez
Average rating: 6.86 (7 appearances); Man of the Match awards: Middlesbrough (1st), Norwich City (2nd), West Brom (2nd)
Nominated in every month he’s been eligible, Emi Martinez signed off in a Royals shirt with another couple of excellent performances. It’s a sign that the defence is improving that the Argentine perhaps didn’t have as much to do as in previous months, but he remained reliable whenever he was called into action. Two clean sheets in the final three games was a fitting way to end his time at the club.
Matt Miazga
Average rating: 6.86 (7 appearances); Man of the Match awards: Bristol City (1st), West Brom (3rd), Middlesbrough (3rd)
The Hull game at the start of April aside, it’s hard to think of a match where Matt Miazga has under-performed in a Reading shirt, and like Martinez he has been nominated for this award for the third month in succession. It’s representative of the huge impact the American has had since arriving on loan, suring up the defence with his calmness in possession and aerial prowess. A goalline clearance against Bristol City was April’s highlight.
Liam Moore
Average rating: 6.86 (7 appearances); Man of the Match awards: Bristol City (2nd), Hull City (3rd), Norwich City (3rd)
It’s a testament to Liam Moore that Miazga settled so quickly and so well, with the former Leicester City man’s leadership at the back crucial in these last few months. It was especially key in the final push for survival, which Moore celebrated emphatically at full-time against West Brom. Always willing to put his body on the line, always on hand to make a vital block. Our captain.
Andy Rinomhota
Average rating: 6.86 (7 appearances); Man of the Match awards: Norwich City (1st), Hull City (2nd)
The club’s official player of the season ended his breakthrough year on a high after returning from injury. April saw Rinomhota score his first senior goal, a vital 97th minute equaliser against Norwich, and also provide the assist for Yakou Meite’s opener against Bristol City. His composure, tempo-setting and driving runs from midfield continued too, as did his ability to always be in the right place to make a crucial tackle.
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