The Royals picked up an important point away from home after coming back from behind against Stockport County at Edgeley Park on Saturday.
Stockport took the lead in the first half through Kyle Wootton
but Jack Marriott equalised in the 72nd minute to secure the point.
The point moves us to 19th. Manager Noel Hunt felt it was a point well earned. Here is what he had to say to the official club website.
Hunt on the performance
“I think we gave probably a little bit too much respect in the first half. We talk about our fundamentals – out-run, out-work, out-fight – and then we can out-play. I thought we worked hard and we ran hard, but our fight wasn’t there.
“In the second half, when we started to do that, we got real football into the game and I thought we were good value for the point.”
Hunt on the half time response
“You could say I gave them a bit of a talking-to. They’re great boys – they own it, they understand it, they see it. In the first half we had opportunities but made the wrong decisions. Second half we were more fluent, stronger in the tackle, and more aggressive. That gave us the platform to play.
“Last year and the year before we got battered here. Today wasn’t the case. We were really strong and at the end we even had chances to win it.”
Hunt on quality in attack
“We spoke about it during the week. You can’t just play the man, you have to be brave enough to play the space with good quality.
“Sav’s ball was lovely, and I thought him and Wingy were excellent. Wingy was outstanding at breaking up play, switching it, and keeping us strong in the structure. Then it’s a great touch from Matty, and a fantastic finish.
“This is the quality we have now. The squad might be smaller than last year, but the quality is higher. When you’re bringing in players like Jack Marriott, Mark O’Mahony, Matt Ritchie, Paddy Lane, and Daniel Kyerewaa, they can all make something happen.
“Matt’s been outstanding since he came in. He’s a top pro, and you see why he’s played at the top level for so long.”
Hunt on building momentum
“Last week we beat the team who finished in the playoff final, and this week we’ve taken a point off the team who finished third. We’re building and we’re growing. We’re nowhere near the finished article, but the fans can see how hard the boys are working. They were superb again today.
“We want to be hard to beat, relish the physical side of the game, but also play good attacking football when we can. That’s the balance we’re striving for.”
Hunt on defensive resilience
“Jeriel settled really well after the first 10 minutes, Matty Jacob was outstanding filling in at left-back despite a knock, and the rest of the back line finished the game strongly. We even shifted into a back five late on to make sure that if we couldn’t win it, we wouldn’t lose it either. We’ll take the draw and move on.”
