Following today’s clash between Reading and Sheffield United, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
Reading hosted Sheffield United at the Madejski Stadium for an 8pm kick off on Tuesday February 27, with the visitors taking a three one victory.
United opened the scoring through Billy Sharp in the eleventh minute of the game and Shane Duffy doubled their advantage a minute before the half time break.
Reading staged a comeback in the 51st minute as Omar Richards found the net and the hosts were then awarded a penalty but Simon Moore saved Leandro Bacuna’s effort.
Sharp completed his brace just after the hour mark to tie up the points.
Teams:
Reading:
Mannone, Ilori (Smith 74), Moore, van den Berg, Gunter, Bacuna (Evans 69), Clement, McCleary (Richards 6), Kelly, Martin, Bodvarsson.
Substitutes:
Edwards, Barrow, Blackett, Jaakkola.
Sheff Utd:
Blackman (Moore 34), Basham, Stearman, O’Connell, Baldock, Evans, Duffy (Leonard 82), Fleck, Stevens, Clarke (Donaldson 34), Sharp.
Substitutes:
Lundstram, Lafferty, Holmes, Evans.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee Andy Davies blew the final whistle, Reading gaffer Jaap Stam explained.
‘It could’ve been six or seven to be honest. If you’re not starting games well enough defending decisively and aggressively, you’ll give the opposition chances. We could’ve gone forward quicker earlier on, but that didn’t happen and we didn’t make those decisions.’
He added about his own future.
‘I don’t feel pressure myself as everyone knows what can happen in football. If the club wants to make a decision then they can do that. Everyone knows if you’re having a bad spell and not winning games, a decision can be made. That’s not up to me, it’s how it goes in football. I wouldn’t be surprised if that decision comes.’
Sheffield United assistant head coach Alan Knill in his comparative interview explained.
‘It was a really good performance from the players today. Everything we asked for and everything we expect, we got. We were all really disappointed with the performance in the previous game against Hull. The standards have been set by the players so when we drop below them it’s only right they know – and tonight was the perfect way to answer them. In the first half we should have been 3-0 up after 15 minutes, but it’s good that we’re creating.’
