Reading head coach Noel Hunt believes his side are in for a tough afternoon when they visit Lincoln City this lunchtime.
The 41-year-old travels to the East Midlands aiming for his first win since taking over from Ruben Selles earlier this month. The Royals recorded their first league defeat since October last weekend when they comfortably beaten 3-0 by Blackpool at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Despite that, Reading still remain in the final play-off place in League One in sixth.
They’ll be hoping to return to winning ways in today’s lunchtime kick off at the LNER Stadium. Lincoln are a team who are out-of-form, having failed to record a win in their last seven league fixtures. However, victory for the home side would see them move above the Berkshire-based side on goal difference.
Hunt Expecting Tough Game
Although Lincoln are in the midst of a barren run, Hunt knows his team are in for a tough time against the Imps. Speaking to The Reading Chronicle ahead of the game, the former Republic of Ireland international said:
“They’ve got good players, a good manager and a direct style of play.
“It’ll be a bit like the Blackpool game with strong runners and it’s about how we cope with that and go to hurt them. We’ve been putting together our gameplan all week and we will finish it off tomorrow and travel up there.
“We’re expecting a tough game because they’re a physical side with numbers. They are a really good counter-transition team and score a lot of goals from crosses. It’ll be a battle for our boys.”
Writer’s View
Lincoln is perhaps one of the last places you’d want to visit when you’re in search of your first win as a manager. The Imps are a well-drilled side that have a decent home record and are well known for their physical playing style. It appears as if Hunt is well prepared for the clash and knows where the danger lies for his team. He’ll be desperate for three points here and the chance to continue the Royals unlikely promotion push. However, with two home games coming up over the festive period, a point wouldn’t be the worst result in the world.
