McDermott: I was really pleased

Reading boss Brian McDermott was pleased with his sides second-half performance in their 1-1 draw with Brighton, claiming they were ‘too nice’ in the first period.


The former Slough boss witnessed his side go in 1-0 down at the break, after a foul from Shaun Cummings in the box was penalised, with Spanish winger Vincente scoring from 12 yards. However, Reading came out in the second half a revitalised side. Winger Hal Robson-Kanu scored a deserved equaliser with five minutes to play and could have won the game, if Noel Hunt would have scored his free header in injury time.


Speaking to the Official Reading FC website, McDermott said: ‘It was a good game and I was really pleased we got something from it, we deserved it for the second half. In the first half we were a bit too nice, we didn’t press as well as we would have liked. But after the break we did that, upped the tempo and got crosses into the box, created chances.’


‘We had opportunities, we possibly could have won it and they didn’t really have anything clear in the second half, but Gus has put together a good side here and I am sure they will do well in the Championship. We have 38 games plus the cup, a lot of matches, and I’ve got two players for each position which is what I wanted.’


The Royals have not won a pre-season game since the 7-0 demolition of AFC Wimbledon back in mid-July, but are certainly showing signs of progress. McDermott also gave hints to his starting line-up for the Stoke game next week, as it appears that the starting forward partnership will be Adam Le Fondre and Pavel Pogrebnyak.


For a brief match report of the 1-1 draw with Brighton, clickhere.