Is Steve Clarke the right man for Reading?

Steve Clarke is back in football at Championship Reading

A year after his departure from West Brom, Steve Clarke is back in work at Reading. Alex Johnson looks at whether he is the right man to turn round things at the Berkshire club.

After winning four of their first seven league matches under Nigel Adkins, Reading have lost nine of their last 15 games in all competitions and slumped to 16th in the Championship table so a change seemed inevitable.

Can the experienced Scot help turn things around at the Madejski Stadium?

Clarke is something of a managerial conundrum. A hugely successful number two at Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool, his two-year stint in charge of West Brom is to date his only solo foray.

The 51-year-old was removed from the Hawthorns dugout exactly a year ago following a poor start to the Premier League season.

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He was quick to point out little has changed since he left, with Albion only narrowly avoiding relegation last term - and Clarke insists he has 'got nothing to prove'.

It is somewhat surprising Clarke has taken a full year to get back into management.

He seemed to be linked to almost every managerial post going in recent months with Crystal Palace, Celtic and Fulham among the jobs he was mentioned in connection with.

Clarke cited the 'potential' at Reading along with the desire the club has to get back into the Premier League as he was confirmed in his new post.

Reading acted quickly, so clearly the Royals must have had Clarke in mind prior to the removal of Nigel Adkins.

The club believe they have secured a 'leader who can develop our players and help them perform to the best of their ability.'

As a long-serving assistant manager, Clarke must possess the tools to get on with players which should work in favour as he takes stock at Reading.

His one full season in charge at West Brom resulted in the Baggies finishing in eighth spot - their highest Premier League finish and the best points return of their eight top-flight seasons since returning to the elite in 2002.

Despite a poor start to last season, there was an overwhelming feeling that Clarke deserved his chance to turn things around and that the Albion board had pulled the trigger a little too quickly.

With half a season to go, Clarke faces a big task to get a Reading side that has lost ten of their 21 Championship games back into playoff contention.

It is far from insurmountable and, in the slightly longer term, the Royals should find they have made an excellent appointment.