Reading manager Ruben Selles seemed content with the squad in his post-match interview following their 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers but insisted that the players still have some way to go if they want to stay in the third tier.
The draw ended a five-game losing streak in League One, and although Selles will be happy that that run is over, he will be thinking that the result was somewhat of a missed opportunity.
Reading took the lead through a first-half Sam Smith strike before Chris Martin equalised for the visitors in the second half, splitting the points evenly. The Royals had chances to extend that lead but couldn’t convert, which ultimately cost them all three points.
The result leaves Reading at the foot of the League One table and now seven points from safety. Times are bleak both on and off the pitch currently, with financial troubles constantly looming over the club.
The Royals travel to Shrewsbury on Saturday which will be a big game for the club as they look to move off of the bottom of the table. Shrewsbury themselves haven’t been in flying form, and Selles will be hoping that the draw can be a catalyst for change and provide some much-needed momentum.
That being said, in his post-match interview, the former Southampton manager went on to say:
“I think we need to be more competitive. The game was just okay – in the first half we showed some of the potential, but we started the second half poor.”
“It was a competitive League One game… and we need to be more competitive if we want to win football matches, and we need to continue growing.”
“It is an improvement from previous games, but we still have a long way to go.”
Now over a third of the way into the League One season, fans will both be worried about relegation but more so the future of the club. Reading still have plenty of time to turn it all around, especially with 31 games left to play, but time is slowly running out.
The off-field financial trouble will no doubt hinder the Royals in the January transfer window and they are at serious risk of falling behind their rivals.
Drawing to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday was a positive result and a step in the right direction, but in Selles’ words, the club still have a long way to go if they want to climb up the table.
Writer’s View
The situation currently at Reading is one of the most dire in the EFL. Both on and off-the-field problems this season have given fans little to smile about and they’ll be hoping that the situation improves in the coming months.
Their trip to Shrewsbury on Saturday is certainly a winnable fixture and one would expect Reading to come out with some fight after Tuesday’s result. However, the Royals are yet to win on the road this season and that’ll be the next duck that Selles will want to break.
Senior Editor
