The new era for the Royals dawned with Brendan Rodgers naming five Academy graduates in the starting line-up for his first game in charge, and the boss believes there is much to be excited about as season progresses.
"I think the crowd went away excited with the talents that we have got and the identity of the team. We played well and we passed well. We will get better with the ball and we will get better in the final third. I thought the only thing we were missing was a goal," he admitted after the 0-0 with Nottingham Forest.
"It is easy to become frustrated, but the more you pass, the more the opposition get tired. And I believe if you're not scoring goals, the best thing to have is the ball, and that's what we had. I was sat on the touchline proud of the young players, and we are only going to get better. "
Simon Church, Scott Davies, Jem Karacan, Alex Pearce and Hal Robson-Kanu all developed through the Royals Academy and Brendan believes that the long-term investment in youth development is beginning to see the fruits of its labour.
"The players we have are technically strong, tactically good in the game, physically tough - which you have to be in this league - and mentally very strong. No-one was hiding, they all wanted the ball and wanted to play.
"We are here to develop and be successful. I have a real inherent belief in young players and you can see they are more than good enough already."
Rodgers paid particular attention to Scott Davies. The 21-year old was making his first appearance for the club, having spent the last two seasons out on loan at Aldershot and Rodgers believes he has made the ideal start to his Royals career.
"He was outstanding. He has a great quality about him and has done very well. He has got great running ability, wonderful technique and is tactically learning and improving his game. He is a very exciting prospect, and I believe the spectators have already taken to him.
'"In the modern game, all the good sides have a player who sits in behind the front two and scores goals, and Scott can do that for us.
"It's all about being brave and trusting the young players. They all have good talent and they are only going to get better and improve. I was proud to see them perform to such a high level, and we will grow from that."
