Reading must have the right mentality when they face relegation Shrewsbury Town tonight says boss Noel Hunt, as reported by The Reading Chronicle.
Hunt believes the Shrewsbury players will be fighting for their futures with relegation all but confirmed.
More Than One Way To Win
Reading overcame promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 on Saturday thanks to a late Harvey Knibbs penalty and Hunt was delighted with how his side secured the three points.
“We have been really good in the last two or three months, putting a lovely run together.”
“How we played today, we showed we’re not just a good football team and we can mix it. Different games need different things.”
That victory has left the Royals in seventh place in League One, just a point behind Bolton Wanderers in the final playoff place with six games remaining.
Struggling Shrewsbury Playing For Futures
Shrewsbury find themselves rock-bottom of League One and have just brought in Michael Appleton to replace Gareth Ainsworth who left for League Two outfit Gillingham.
Salop is 12 points from safety with 18 to play for but Hunt believes their situation makes them dangerous to Reading’s playoff hopes.
“It will be such a hard game on Tuesday, they’re down there but they will be fighting for their futures and their contracts so that is a tough one. We have to go there with the right mindset.”
Hunt believes the Shrewsbury players will turn their attention to their individual situations and aim to prove they are good enough to continue to play League One football even if Salop drop to the bottom tier.
“People will start thinking individually about winning to perform and show they are good enough at this level, to stay in a job and sometimes to feed families. It’s about us going there with the right mindset and mentality, the same as today, and getting a result.”
Last Time They Met
Reading knows that Shrewsbury will be no pushovers as Salop could easily have left the Select Car Leasing Stadium with all three points in February. John Marquis missed a penalty for the visitors and an inspired Joel Pereira helped secure a 1-1 draw for the hosts.
Writer’s View
This time of season can throw up some unexpected results. Shrewsbury’s players will be out to impress new manager Appleton as he looks to plan for next season.
