McDermott: We lacked the quality to win

Reading manager Brian McDermott admitted his side lacked the quality to win the game against Norwich yesterday, but says he is not disappointed with the result.

The Royals fought out a stalemate with Chris Hughton’s side, who have shown a recent revival in the Premier League. Despite it being Reading’s first clean sheet of the season, it is also the first time that the Berkshire side have failed to score at home this campaign, having scored 15 goals in their previous six outings at the Madejski Stadium.

Speaking to the Official Reading FC website, McDermott said: ‘We could have nicked it but there wasn’t much in it, it was a tight game. I thought we were in the ascendancy and we kept a clean sheet which is something to build on. We didn’t do enough with the ball, especially being at home, we didn’t do enough quality-wise and we know that.’

‘Both teams were nervous at times but we move on with the clean sheet. We’ve scored numerous goals at home but not today. Maybe we needed an extra touch or just to try a few more things in and around the box. Overall I’m not disappointed. The players are in the dressing room disappointed, but they needn’t be.’

As much as I hate to say it, this really is looking bleak for us. Norwich are a very good, organised side that shouldn’t be taken lightly, but we need to be getting maximum points from games against teams in and around us at home, especially when we are still looking for that first win after ten games in the Premier League. What is the answer?