Indeed. How often does it happen that a team that is abject (bottom third) one season suddenly turns into a top two side? Honestly, I can't remember. Granted, we were nearly the exception that proves the rule, but ultimately we weren't even that.
Regardless of Albion's final position, I'd be surprised if Reading were promoted automatically simply because they were so poor last season (17th). It would be an incredible turnaround. Compare that to ourselves who were desperately unlucky not to finish top 2, and since then not lost any key...