The Reading FC star who ‘sets standard’ for club’s young players, according to ex Royals boss

Reading FC star Tom Ince ‘sets a standard’ for the club’s young players, according to former Royals boss Mick Gooding.

The attacking midfielder has enjoyed a superb start to the season after joining the club permanently having been a free agent over the summer.

The 30-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with Reading before being released by parent club Stoke City in May.

READ MORE: Mark Bowen clarifies role of Kia Joorabchian in Reading’s transfer policy

He subsequently returned to Berkshire permanently and has been one of the stand-out stars in Royals’ impressive start to the season, which has seen them win three of their five Championship fixtures. Gooding says Ince’s tireless effort off the ball is an example to all those around him.

“[Tom] Ince for me sets an example to all of those young lads because he chases down everything for the cause,” Gooding explained on BBC Radio Berkshire. “It’s not all about him. He’s not one of those players that wants to look good but isn’t that good. He just wants to get the job done.

“He’s got great delivery and he wasn’t fantastic going forward against Middlesbrough [last Saturday] but when he had to defend in the second half, he was chasing back as if his life depended on it. It was great to see, and everyone else around him are looking at him and thinking ‘wow, look at him.’ If he’s doing it, then I’ve got to do it.”

Ince has one goal and one assist to his name in his five games in 2022/23, with his goal proving to be the winner in the 2-1 victory over Cardiff City at the start of August. He also set up the opening goal – a header from Tom McIntyre – during the 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers last week with a pinpoint corner from the right.

Gooding added: “He sets a standard for the rest of the players. When the younger players see him sprinting around and closing the opposition down – this is before he gets the ball and we know his quality on the ball – just his work rate he puts in when his team are out of possession, it sets the standard. I take my hat off to him, he has been absolutely terrific.”

READ NEXT