PAUNOVIC PRAISES TEAM SPIRIT
READING boss Veljko Paunović admitted that Reading’s win at Fulham was his favourite day so far in charge at the club.
“It was a fantastic game, a great day and a fantastic atmosphere,” said Paunović.
“We executed our plan very well and I’m very happy with the performance of our team.
“Fulham play very, very good football and it was hard.
“But with grit and determination, character and composure, we managed to get this very important win for us – especially in a week when we have picked up seven points in total.
“We conceded a goal in the only way - by giving our all and every atom of strength out there to prevent although it was a great build-up from them.
“We were tested when Holmes picked up an injury but amazing, amazing solution by Laurent as an emergency centre-back which he made look very easy.
“After that, with Drinkwater coming in we had more presence and experience in the midfield, and composure.
“We were tested in the second half with a couple of guys being at their limit but we wanted to carry on.
“We didn’t want to make any substitutions because we believe the team didn’t need them.
“We have our confidence back, we have our identity back, we can look to improve and look forward to the next game.
The Royals boss hailed the performance of Ovie Ejaira who played a pivotal role in winning the game as he scored twice.
“Ovie had an amazing performance,” he continued.
“His execution was fantastic.
“We see it in training many times and we encourage him to do it more often in games.
“It was more difficult in this game because we were asking a lot of the attacking players to work defensively, but every time we gave the ball to him, there was some excitement and they were very clinical in execution.
“It was a difficult and sloppy start we had at the start of the season.
“With the points we dropped at Coventry it would have been a different picture and our comeback would have started earlier.
“We were chasing our form and the momentum, and the consistency and belief.
“Our guys ground it out so credit everyone for believing and staying calm and starting our season.
“There is a long way to go but this is a great win, it helps to recover our confidence and our identity.
“Last season we couldn’t have the fans so this was a unique opportunity and from now on it just has to be always there.
“We have to be aware of nourishing this very important value that we have now in our team.”
“We saw a fantastic connection between our fans and the team.
“We saw lions on the field and lions in the stands.
“That happened organically and with what the team showed on the field and how they played, the fans loved it.
“That ignited a great connection which we were looking for.“
The boss was also full of praise for goalkeeper Luke Southwood, who made several brilliant saves throughout the match, including a vital one late in the game.
He continued: “It was a great performance from Luke and everyone else. When the team is on the same page, everyone knows their role in attack and defence, knows what they are doing at set-pieces, then you get performances like this.
“Individuality just pops up wherever it is required or tested, that’s how I see it.
“You have to give what the team needs and the team provides the opportunity to shine like Luke did, so did Ovie and other guys too.
“Leadership and the fighting, warrior spirit which Morro showed was immense.
“I’m very happy for everyone.”