PAUNOVIĆ PLEDGES TO IMPROVE LEAKY DEFENCE
READING boss Veljko Paunović vowed to improve his team’s defensive record after they suffered a heavy defeat at Huddersfield Town.
The Royals are in 21st position in the Championship, with four defeats and one win in five games.
“The team doesn’t defend with just two centre backs, everyone should defend,” Paunović said.
“When the team is incomplete, it impacts everywhere on the pitch.
“There are two reasons why the team is incomplete.
“One is because of transfers we haven’t replaced and the second are injuries.
“Those are tough to replace, those players belong to us and unfortunately we have to deal with the injuries.
“When we lost I’ll always look and analyse team performances and not individual performances. We have to do better.”
Reading also have significantly the worst defensive record in the division having conceded 13 goals in five matches, five more than any other side.
They face third place QPR in their next league match, a team that has made an unbeaten start to their campaign.
“The first goal we had urgency in our defending and it was a bit unlucky, but after the break the performance wasn’t good and we all feel responsible for it.
“Over the next couple of weeks we need to work, fix the error and acknowledge where we need to improve.
“We need to lift the spirit, mentality and willingness to do your best, work hard and learn what you need to do if you’re in a different position.
“Overall, a review of our performance so far this season must be made.
“Everyone is conscious of the importance and impact of this loss.
“We have to stay away from negativity, we have to stick together as a team.
“Conceding so many goals hurts, it is painful.
“This team can do good things and do much better so we have to get everyone on the same page during this break.
“We haven’t played a game with this kind of performance since I’ve been here.
“I’m concerned and in the next couple of weeks I want to fix all of this.
“We can’t fix this game now but we can use it as a catalyst.”