The Royals picked up another point but looked tired in their 1-1 draw against Doncaster Rovers at the SCL Stadium on Saturday.
Ex-Reading striker Billy Sharp gave the visitors the lead in the second half
before Kamari Doyle equalised to share the points.
The point leaves us two points clear of the relegation zone in 19th. Manager Noel Hunt felt his side looked tired. Here is what he had to say, he spoke to the official club website.
Hunt on the performance
“It was a frustrating game. I think we looked tired, we had a big week away at Cardiff and in midweek. We looked a bit tired come the middle of the game. Decision-making wasn’t as good as it had been in recent games, so it was a frustrating one. Missing key players like Joel [Pereira], Jack [Marriott] and Matty [Ritchie] doesn’t help.
“The front line we have is a young front line, Kelvin [Ehibhatiomhan] going back-to-back in games after coming back from an injury is not easy.
“Paudie [O’Connor] came through three games and felt crampy and sore with his hamstring going tight at the end. We hope it’s not too bad, but we knew it was a big week for him. We don’t ask him to do it that often but needs must, we want points on the board. It was one of those ones where they were a bit tired.”
“It was a tight first half and I said they needed more confidence to get the ball down and play through. It was making sure our distances are right. Decision-making in the first half and the areas we put the ball into weren’t as great as they were the last few games, therefore we couldn’t get a foothold.
“When we did, I thought we created some decent opportunities around the box. We wanted them to get it down even more as the game went on and as the game wore on we looked a bit more weary and that was the story.”
Hunt on Billy Sharp’s opener
“We are disappointed. We had to stop the cross. To go a goal down was not ideal. It could have gone anywhere but it falls to the man you probably don’t want it to fall to.
“We showed character and resilience to come back. We looked a bit weary and tired, but we kept going, take the point and move on.”
Hunt on the fans’ chants
“It feels uncomfortable – I don’t like that. I’m trying everything I can, we’re trying everything we can, to pick up points and get going. Having the injuries we have isn’t ideal but the lads stayed focused and kept going.”
