Reading’s Top Five Individual Performances Of The 2023/24 Season

Dan from WhoScored delves into the stats to pick out the best showings from Reading players in 2023/24.

With Reading’s first season in League One in over 20 years done and dusted, we take a look at the top five individual performances for the Royals in the 2023/24 campaign.

5) Lewis Wing vs Bristol Rovers (A)

1 aerial win

1 goal

100% tackle success rate

2 clearances

2 dribbles

4 key passes

5 tackles

WhoScored rating: 8.90

In fifth place is player of the season Lewis Wing, with a WhoScored rating of 8.90 for his performance in the 2-0 away win over Bristol Rovers in April.

Not only did the midfield maestro double Reading’s lead just before the half-time whistle, but Wing demonstrated his versatility in both attack and defence, with four key passes and five tackles, boasting a tackle success rate of 100%.

4) Femi Azeez vs Blackpool (H)

1 goal

1 assist

4 key passes

3 successful dribbles

1 aerial win

1 tackle

100% dribble success rate

WhoScored rating – 9.15

Femi Azeez saved his best performance of the season for last, with a goal and an assist in the 3-2 win over Blackpool on the last day. He also provided four key passes, as well as successfully completing all three of his attempted dribbles in a final-day party for the Royals.

3) Harvey Knibbs vs Carlisle (A)

2 goals

5 key passes

2 aerial wins

6 tackles

WhoScored rating – 9.17

The first of two features for League One’s top tackler, Harvey Knibbs, is his 9.17-rated effort against Carlisle United away from home.

Knibbs’ pressing expertise was displayed throughout the season, but it was no more evident than in the win over Carlisle which saw him make a total of six tackles.

He bagged two goals and created five key passes in another stand-out day for the 25-year-old.

2) Lewis Wing vs Cambridge United (H)

1 goal

1 assist

105 total passes

1 key pass

1 dribble

2 aerial wins

5 tackles

3 clearances

Of course, Lewis Wing features twice in the top five, in a superb season from the midfielder. Wing’s best showing of the season came against Cambridge United at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. It was a real all -rounder from Wing who excelled with the ball, totalling 105 passes, of which one created the assist for Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan to seal the three points, notching Reading’s fourth of the game.

Wing got on the score sheet himself and again showed his effectiveness in breaking up play for the Royals with five tackles, two aerial wins and three clearances.

1) Harvey Knibbs vs Carlisle (H)

2 goals

3 key passes

3 successful dribbles

100% dribble success rate

4 aerial wins

5 tackles

WhoScored rating – 10.0

Harvey Knibbs became one of just four players to receive a perfect 10 rating in League One this season, in the 5-1 win over Carlisle in November, in the best-rated performance in 2023/24.

Knibbs was nothing short of exceptional in the win over Carlisle at home, with everything he did on that day turning to gold. Going forward he caused the Carlisle back line all kinds of issues, completing 100% of his dribbles (three), as well as providing his teammates with three key passes.

Not forgetting that, Knibbs did also get on the scoresheet twice.

He added five tackles and four aerial wins to his game on that day in one of the best matches of any player in a Reading shirt for a long while.

Dan also sat down with Ross for a special stats-focused episode of the podcast recently. In this episode, he outlined the best metrics for assessing Ruben Selles’ pressing system, what the future may hold for Sam Smith, and which Reading player is making an absolute mockery of his xG numbers.