second and third defeats in a row, both 3–0, at home to Derby County on 18 October and away to Bournemouth on 21 October. Reading finished October with their first win in seven games, a 3–0 home win over Blackpool, with Glenn Murray and Nick Blackman scoring either side of a Peter Clarke own goal. November Reading started November with a 3–1 away defeat to Blackburn Rovers on 1 November, Glenn Murray scoring their only goal, before following it up three days later with a 3–0 victory over Rotherham United thanks to Jamie Mackie and a Simon Cox double. On 8 November Reading suffered a 1–0 home defeat to Charlton Athletic, before a 2–1 away defeat to Cardiff City on 21 November. Michael Hector scored Readings only goal late on, whilst Alex Pearce had a nightmare evening, conceding an own goal before being shown a straight red card on the stroke of half-time. Reading ended the month with a 2–1 away win over Norwich City, Gary Hooper put Norwich ahead after 10 minutes before Jake Cooper scored his first ever goal for Reading in the 14th minute and his second in the 44th to give Reading all three points. Also during November, Slovenian defender Jure Travner joined the club on trial from Azerbaijan Premier League side FK Baku. December Reading started the month with a 0–0 home draw against Bolton Wanderers on 6 December, before a 6–1 away defeat to Birmingham City on 13 December. Following the club's 6–1 defeat to Birmingham City, manager Nigel Adkins was sacked by the club on 15 December. The following day Reading appointed Steve Clarke on a -year contract. Reading lost their first game with Steve Clarke as manager, a 1–0 home defeat to 10-man Watford on 20 December. They followed this defeat up with a 2–2 away draw to Manager-less Brighton & Hove Albion on 26 December, Glenn Murray scoring both the goals, before a 2–1 home win over Norwich City on 28 December thanks to Simon Cox and a Hal Robson-Kanu penalty. Murray returned to Crystal Palace on 31 December following the completion of his loan deal. January On 2 January 2015, Aaron Tshibola moved to Hartlepool United on a one-month loan deal, whilst Jonathan Henly returned from his loan at Welling United and Royston Drenthe returned to the club following his loan to Sheffield Wednesday to discuss his future. The following