'Hasn't delivered': Hugely popular ex-Portsmouth pair's mixed Reading fortunes after sad summer farewells
The popular pair left Fratton Park in the summer to play League One football
An attacker who Reading fans were calling to be returned to Pompey in January - and a winger specialising in game-impacting 15-minute cameos off the bench.
Certainly former Fratton favourites Paddy Lane and Matt Ritchie have experienced mixed fortunes since last summer’s fond farewell to the Blues.
Having fallen out of favour at Pompey, the duo were signed by the Royals to spearhead their League One season under head coach Noel Hunt and new owner Rob Couhig.
Now with former Blues assistant manager Leam Richardson at the helm, Reading have impressively hauled themselves into sixth place, having previously plummeted towards relegation trouble.
Lane (32 games and two goals) and Ritchie (24 games and one goal) have featured regularly under both Madejski Stadium bosses this season.
Although, according to Reading Chronicle reporter Ramy Abou-Setta, with wildly contrasting fortunes.
‘It’s disappointing, but he hasn’t delivered’
He told The News: ‘Paddy Lane came in as this new exciting player, with expectations really high for him to be the main winger for Reading.
‘After all, he had already done it with Pompey, done it in League One, done it a bit in the Championship. So surely he would be able to replicate that with Reading and take them to a better place?
‘Unfortunately, Paddy’s output hasn’t really matched the expectation put on him. It’s disappointing, but he hasn’t delivered.
‘There has been a bit of hate towards him from some fans, mainly because he loses possession so easily, he’s not the best dribbler, not the best at one-v-ones, while his first touch isn’t great, often losing the ball when under pressure.
‘Paddy started off the season really badly. Although scoring the winner against Port Vale in August, he disappeared off the map, never really impacting games, losing the ball way too often, which started to become a real issue.
‘Reading had Matty Jacob on loan from Hull at left-back, but they never really gelled down that flank. Then Paddy collected an injury in November, which kept him out until mid-January.
‘A number of fans wanted him moved on. During the January transfer window, I saw loads on X asking whether Pompey could take him back.
‘However, since scoring in a great comeback win against Bradford in February, he looks a different player. Paddy is now very front footed, tenacious, always happy, always smiling. Before that, you would see a bit of a shell of a man.
‘Clearly he’s a confidence player and we’re all hoping he can push on now. The fans have still yet to see what Paddy Lane can bring.’
Saturday 3-0 win over Wigan
However, Ritchie was an unused substitute for Reading, having featured in the previous six successive matches in cameos, producing one goal and two assists.
Indeed, with 28 Championship starts as Pompey finished 16th last season, he has so far lined-up for the Royals in the league on just seven occasions.
Nonetheless, with 17 substitute outings overall this season, the 36-year-old has shone during those appearances according to Abou-Setta.
‘He was recruited to be a leader’
He added: ‘Matt is a fan favourite. At first, people were questioning why he had been brought in considering his age - now supporters understand.
‘He’s not at Reading to play 90 minutes, he is here to play 10-15 minutes to ensure they end the game well. Which he has succeeded doing on many occasions.
‘Ritchie was recruited to be a leader in the dressing room, someone we can look to off the bench to provide experience and quality.
‘With the demands of League One, he’s not going to play 90 minutes, he’s not pacy, but we know he can pass the ball really well and he can press really well. This is someone who brings into the squad Premier League and Championship knowledge.
‘He has accepted he’s there to support the young players in the dressing room and on the training ground, showing them the levels, coming on as an impact sub and being a leadership voice in that group.
‘As someone that has spoken of entering coaching, you can see Ritchie’ is a natural. You look at the way he commands on the pitch, the way he looks at football, the way he talks about football.
‘He’s really impressive and proving to be a good signing for Reading.’
Your Next Pompey Read: Ex-Portsmouth attacker returns home with a bang to fire up ambitious club's promotion push