Reading agonisingly missed out on the playoffs in the final minutes of last season and Nigel Adkins would have wanted a similar challenge for the top six in 2014-15.

However, he struggled to sign many players over the summer and lost key squad members such as Alex McCarthy, Sean Morrison and Adam Le Fondre.

The first four months were a bumpy ride and Adkins finds himself out of work now after he was removed as manager last month.

Steve Clarke is the new man in charge. Below, Sports Mole reflects on how the Royals, largely under Adkins, have fared so far this season.

August

A trip to one of the teams that finished above Reading last season, Wigan Athletic, kicked off the season and the visitors were within minutes of winning when the Latics snatched a point. Morrison scored on what would be his last appearance for the club.

The Royals' first win of the season came on matchday two when Ipswich Town fell to a 1-0 defeat at the Madejski Stadium.

Bottom side Huddersfield Town were the next to visit Berkshire, but Reading failed to mount a late comeback after Simon Cox's goal saw the deficit reduced to 2-1 against the Terriers.

It was two defeats in a row when Reading were comfortably beaten by league leaders Nottingham Forest before they ended the month back in the green thanks to Cox's early goal at Middlesbrough.

Meanwhile, in the Capital One Cup, Reading advanced to round three with late victories over lower-league opposition in Newport County and Scunthorpe United.

September

In the final days of the summer transfer window Adkins managed to acquire Glenn Murray on a half-season loan from Crystal Palace and the striker, who had led all Championship scorers two seasons before, netted a brace on his debut as Fulham were put to the sword.

Reading were up into the playoff places after their third win a row - a 3-2 victory over Millwall - where Cox followed Murray with a brace of his own at the Madejski, with Nick Blackman netting the other from the spot.

It wouldn't get any better for the Royals as they finished September with a narrow defeat at Sheffield Wednesday and thrilling 3-3 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Murray again proving his worth with a late equaliser. In between these two games they also exited the League Cup at Derby County.

October

A drab start to the 10th month with a 0-0 draw at Leeds United, but it got much worse for Reading as they fell to three straight defeats and conceded three goals in each.

First they fell 3-1 at Brentford before consecutive 3-0 losses against Derby and Bournemouth that saw them down in 17th and looking nervously over their shoulder.

It would be the same scoreline the following week, but this time Reading were on the right side of it as they cruised past struggling Blackpool.

November

Three was becoming a common theme in Reading games as November began with a 3-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers and 3-0 victory over Rotherham United.

Six games in a row involving Reading had seen one of the two teams score exactly three, but that run came to an end when Charlton Athletic scored the only goal of the game at the Madejski.

Make it six defeats in eight games after the 2-1 loss at Cardiff City, where Alex Pearce's own goal and red card by half time gave Reading little chance of a result.

The Royals were much closer to the drop zone than the playoffs, but the mounting pressure on Adkins eased as they ended November with a spirited, come-from-behind victory at Norwich City as teenage defender Jake Cooper scored his first goals for the club to win them the match.

December

A goalless draw at home to Bolton Wanderers kicked off December before their worst defeat of the campaign a week later.

Birmingham City clinically punished the Royals' mistakes in a 6-1 mauling and it proved to be Adkins's last game in charge, despite the visitors' better shot and possession count at St Andrew's.

Steve Clarke was quickly appointed on a two-and-a-half-year deal, but his arrival couldn't bring about a change in fortunes as Watford left Berkshire with the points even after going down to 10 men just before half time.

Clarke's first point arrived at Brighton & Hove Albion, but it was disappointment again for the Scot as he saw his side surrender a two-goal lead after Murray's first-half brace.

The year did end on a high, though, as Reading bookended their four-game winless run with another 2-1 win over Norwich to end the year 16th in the table.

Murray has now returned to Palace from his loan and Clarke may try to re-sign him this month. Arrivals will be expected and Clark will know that a good start in 2015 is crucial to ease the fans' relegation concerns.

Star man: Oliver Norwood

Must do better: Jamie Mackie

Where to strengthen in January: Attack

Position at start of 2015: 16th

Mid-season grade: C

To see Reading's remaining fixtures in 2014-15, click here.