After taking over from Brendan Rodgers two seasons ago, Brian McDermott guided Reading to a top-half finish in the Championship.

Entering his first full campaign in charge in summer 2010 – on the back of a complete preseason and no outside expectations – the Englishman led the Royals to a playoff final appearance after finishing fifth in the league.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look back at McDermott's second full season in charge so far, following the controversial sale of skipper Matt Mills.

August

Opening at home against Millwall, the Berkshire outfit found themselves facing an uphill battle after falling two goals behind. However, with five minutes to go, forward Mathieu Manset twice found the back of the net to save them a single point.

With less pressure on the road at promotion favourites Leicester, Reading grabbed a two-goal win, but tasted defeat in each of their remaining August fixtures. As a result, the club found themselves five spots off the bottom of the league and out of the Carling Cup come September.

September

A fifth consecutive defeat condemned the club to the drop zone ahead of a must-win visit from Sean O'Driscoll's Doncaster Rovers, who were rock bottom.

Against them, Simon Church and Adam Le Fondre found the back of the net for the home side, allowing them to leapfrog nine teams and escape the relegation places.

Three points at Ashton Gate and a share of the spoils at the Ricoh Arena wrapped up an improved month for McDermott's men, who entered October within a one-win swing of the top six.

October

Coming off a goalless tie at the Madejski Stadium against Middlesbrough, Reading appeared to be sharing the spoils again before Jem Karacan's late winner at Turf Moor made it three wins out of five for McDermott.

The Royals proceeded to pick up a point apiece from Crystal Palace, Derby and league leaders Southampton to extend their unbeaten run to a span of eight games over almost two months of the season.

November

Despite defeat at Nottingham Forest on the first day of November, the club bounced back at home to beat Birmingham City thanks to substitute Noel Hunt's second-half strike.

Meanwhile, high-flying Cardiff handed the Royals their second beating in three games and their first at home since the start of September.

Even so, Reading responded again, bagging three goals in each of their next two outings en route to consecutive 3-2 victories.

December

One goal at Bloomfield Road for Blackpool was enough to defeat McDermott's men, but not derail their December.

In their four remaining games in 2011, Reading hit the back of the net on eight occasions to climb back up the table into fifth place and six points adrift of automatic promotion.