During the summer transfer window, Reading had to work under tough constraints as a number of players arrived on loan or for free.
Some of their acquisitions have performed admirably; Charlie Savage, who joined from Manchester United in the summer, has settled into a midfield role, and Tyler Bindon is a standout at the defense.
Lewis Wing has also shown to be a wise addition, and the Royals have benefited from a double swoop on Cambridge United.
Harvey Knibbs and Sam Smith both left the U’s after their contracts at the Abbey Stadium expired. Smith was expected to be a great addition because he was a former Royal and a proven goal scorer in League One.
Even though an injury cut short Smith’s first season back in Berkshire, it was never going to take him long to get used to life at the Select Car Leasing Stadium again.
Knibbs did not leave a good impression in the first several months of the campaign, thus it was uncertain if he would actually have an impact.
To be honest, he can’t really be held responsible for this because the wide role he played in the 4-2-2-2 system wasn’t ideal for him.
Since Ruben Selles altered the Royals’ lineup, things have changed for him.
For the Royals, Knibbs’ ability to play center in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1 system has changed the game.
He struggled to outshine full-backs and wasn’t very efficient out wide, along with other players.
However, Knibbs has been a different player in the center, playing close to Smith and profiting greatly from their close bond during their time at Cambridge.
Knibbs has deservedly been successful because he has placed himself in advantageous positions at the correct times. His energy and ability to consistently enter the box are strong characteristics.
It should come as no surprise that the 24-year-old has managed to register so many goalscoring contributions, given some of them have been vital to the team’s struggle for survival.
Knibbs still needs to put in work since the Royals are still vulnerable to relegation.
But if he can continue to make an impact in the closing third, he can help the Berkshire team remain in the third division and possibly place himself in the picture before the summer.
What happens in the summer will be interesting to watch because the 24-year-old has proven that he can be a great asset at this level and can even be good enough to advance to the Championship.
The Royals will still have control over his destiny because he has two years left on his contract in the summer, but their ownership and financial position may make it necessary to sell him or not.
Knibbs must, for the time being at least, concentrate on issues on the field, even though it is challenging given the club’s current state of disarray.
The attacking midfielder at SCL Stadium will become a true icon if he can keep the Royals winning, but he cannot afford to take his success too far.
