Reading FC urged to avoid Gareth Ainsworth appointment - he proved "out of his depth" at QPR | OneFootball

FLW's Reading Fan Pundit leaned towards why the club should swerve the 52-year-old Gillingham boss

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

League One strugglers Reading are eyeing up a potential move for Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth amid growing doubts over Noel Hunt's future in Berkshire.

As exclusively revealed by FLW on Monday, the Royals - who sit in one of the four League One relegation spots at this moment in time - have Ainsworth in their thoughts as the pressure ramps up on their current head coach Hunt.

The links between Ainsworth and Reading are undeniably strong, with the former Wycombe Wanderers boss having clear connections to owner Rob Couhig and CEO Joe Jacobson during the trio's time there together.

The Welsh defender played under the manager's guidance at the Chairboys, which was previously owned by Couhig, and they all played a part in getting the club promoted to the Championship for the first time in their history five years ago.

However, some are torn over the prospect of Ainsworth arriving at the Select Car Leasing Stadium - even with the Royals currently languishing in 21st-place.

Gareth Ainsworth's suitability for Reading FC job questioned

When asked about the potential appointment, FLW's Reading Fan Pundit, Johnny Hunt, leaned towards why the club should swerve the 52-year-old.

"Yeah, Ainsworth’s an obvious link. I’m not sure if he’s someone that would be a fit for Reading," Hunt told FLW.

"He lives locally, he’s obviously been an ex-manager under Couhig - whether he’s one of Couhig’s choices or not, I don’t know, but it’s an obvious link to have.

"They’re [Gillingham] doing well in League Two."

Ainsworth's impressive start at Gillingham cannot be ignored. The Kent outfit currently sit second in League Two and remain unbeaten in 20 league matches stretching back to March, with the manager having overseen 17 of those games since taking charge.

His early success at the Priestfield has already earned him Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month award for August.

Despite acknowledging the mounting pressure on the current manager, Hunt believes it would be premature to replace the club's current head coach at this stage of the season.

"But I think for Noel, he needs to find his style of football and quickly and work out his best team," Johnny added.

"He’s missing [Nigel] Gibbs as an assistant, he’s very experienced and great defensively wise and organising of teams, and Ainsworth’s had a flying start at Gillingham.

"And he’s good at that level, and he’s good with a smaller club. I guess when he went to QPR he was out of his depth to a point, and the style of football he plays - if it works, fans would be happy."

The concerns about Ainsworth's suitability appear rooted in his track record at higher levels and his direct approach to the game.

His time at QPR was marked by poor results and a failure to adapt his style to the second-tier, with the West London club picking up just 19 points from 23 games under his management.

"But, I think, yeah, pressure’s on Noel - but I think it’s too soon for him to be replaced. I think you could kind of give him till at least the next international window to see what he can do," Johnny said.

"The pressure’s on and Couhig, as an owner, wants results, he wants the team to do well - well he thinks that he’s invested a lot in it, so it’s a case of wait and see."

While not entirely dismissive of Ainsworth's potential appointment, Hunt made it clear that he believes there are better alternatives should Reading decide to part company with their current manager.

"I do think there’s better options out there if it did happen that Noel left, but I don’t want it to happen yet," Hunt concluded.