WITH the way we were playing so inconsistently since September, I would never have thought we could go on a four-game unbeaten run.

It's not amazing by general standards, but for a team struggling for good form, it may be something to recognise.

For the second game in a row, Royals managed to score three goals. This is promising.

We've not been playing particularly badly with the 0-0 draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday being a fair result thanks to an even contest.

The 3-0 win over Barnsley last week looked clinical and comfortable but the 2-2 draw at Bolton really should have been a game we ought to have won.

We gave away two sloppy first-half goals, as is becoming the norm recently, and gave ourselves a really tough second half.

Credit where it's due, we managed to salvage a draw after being behind for the most part, but we need to cut out the bad defending if we want to climb the table.

Last Saturday's win away at Sunderland was satisfying, to say the least.

Throughout the game, we had 64% possession, 13 shots on goal and just two yellow cards.

Apart from conceding late on, the win was very efficient. The ball was rarely given away, minimal fouls occurred and the travelling fans went home happy - despite a huge journey.

The win puts Reading 14th in the Championship table with 26 points - 10 clear of relegation and nine points short of the play-off places.

We now turn our attention to a home clash against Cardiff on Monday night.

The Welsh side currently sit in second place, just four points behind Wolves with many calling the league a two-horse race.

The Bluebirds have won their last four games in a row and look strong.

We can all expect Neil Warnock to be his usual vocal self and Stam will have to have his players pumped up for what will almost certainly be a feisty affair.