I think the big difference is that both Reading and Bolton have good, bright managers and are backed by sensible boards. Atkins has experience of taking a side up from the Championship and Freedman did a very good job at Palace and now at Bolton, blowing what looked like a certain play-off place...
The budget's ok. The big mistake was not signing the striker we needed until January. Had Ulloa, or someone else of similiar standard, come in last summer we'd all now be looking forward to days out at the Emirates etc.