Reading boss Noel Hunt has brushed off suggestions from Lincoln City manager Michael Skubala that his side ‘gave up’ during their 2-0 opening-day loss at the LNER Stadium.
Goals from Rob Street and Reeco Hackett secured victory for the Imps, with Mamadi Camara seeing a strike disallowed for offside and Lewis Wing twice striking the woodwork for the visitors. The result got Reading off to the worst possible start, and despite their two chances, they were worthy losers.
Speaking after the match, Skubala suggested Reading’s resistance faded after the second goal, though he acknowledged he was unsure if “gave up” was the right phrase.
Hunt sees no disrespect
Hunt, who knows Skubala from their time together at Leeds United, said he took no offence at the remarks.
“I genuinely don’t think he would have meant anything by that in terms of disrespecting us. It was probably clumsy, I would say. Michael is far more educated to talk about another football club like that and mean it that way.”
He believes the Lincoln boss was simply highlighting his own team’s defensive organisation, rather than making a personal dig at Reading’s effort.
“When I read it back, it was more emphasising how strong structurally defensively his team were, and on the day they were.”
New-look squad finding its feet
Hunt pointed to the inexperience of his reshaped side, noting several players were featuring together for the first time.
“We are still a new team… Daniel has never played before, Paddy comes on and hasn’t played with the boys before, Liam hasn’t played with the lads before, so it can get a little tainted and disorganised but we have to do that to get up to speed.”
The Reading manager stressed that only by giving players minutes can they adapt to the team’s structure and style, even if early performances are inconsistent.
Writer’s View
Hunt’s calm handling of the situation prevents a potential war of words before the season has gathered pace. His response shifts the focus back to Reading’s need to build cohesion in a new-look squad, rather than dwelling on a single post-match comment.
With back-to-back league defeats without scoring, Tuesday’s Carabao Cup trip to Portsmouth and Saturday’s home clash with AFC Wimbledon present an important chance to reset the tone of the campaign.
