Ruben Selles 'Very Proud' Of Reading's Performance At Stevenage

11/10/2024 04:49 AM

The Royals were much improved in the second half on Saturday, fighting back to secure a 1-1 draw on the road.

The Royals picked up a good point on the road with a 1-1 draw against Stevenage on Saturday. Stevenage took the lead in the first half through Daniel Kemp. Harvey Knibbs scored with minutes to go to secure a point.

We finished the day in ninth, just a point off the play-offs. Manager Ruben Selles felt that we could have had all three points. Here is what he had to say; he spoke to the Reading Chronicle and Wokingham Today.

Selles on the performance

"I'm very proud of the performance we put together. We came here and knew they were a good opponent at home and if we played their game with direct balls and second actions we would lose.

"We needed to control the ball, and I think we did it. One action we should defend better for their goal, but I thought we showed control. The second half we were more powerful, scored a goal and had some more chances. I'm very proud of this group and the way they played.

"We created and played the game. Sometimes the score is not a total reflection of the game. Some games we get three points, and it should be one, today we got one and performed to get the three. I'm very happy with the performance."

Selles on Harvey Knibbs changing his position

"It went well. We knew that if we had a target striker at the beginning of the game, because of the pressure we would end up kicking more balls into the centre for the duels and even with Jayden or Sam we would be losers in that and it would come very quick at our goal on the transition.

"We tried to create one more player coming into our red zone - the pockets - so we tried to drag one of the centre-backs and with the third man make runs from the wingers and eights. It worked in the first part of the game and when we needed something different Harvey can do the job and Jayden can do the same.

"We were powerful and have a squad we need to use. I think it worked well with Harvey in the first half and when Jayden came in to drag the centre-backs out."

Selles on the league being of number one importance

"I made my point clear that the priority is League One. We will play Cambridge and then have four days until the next (league) game.

"But that doesn't mean that I don't want to win every match.

"We're realistic with no support and resources, everyone is doing an extraordinary job so we don't want to talk about positions or play-offs."