Writing is on the wall at Reading
READING manager Veljko Paunovic is clinging to his job by a thread – and admitted it was an “unlucky” time for a party.
The atmosphere turned toxic at the Royals’ 150th anniversary celebration – with protests before and after the game, and an ugly pitch invasion at the final whistle.
While the Sky Blues breathed new life into their play-offs bid, relegation-haunted Reading have now lost eight matches in a row.
It has been a disastrous campaign for the Royals. Crippled by injuries from the start, they suffered a six-point deduction for financial breaches.
At full-time boos rang out, along with chants of ‘We want Pauno out’. And banners held aloft earlier carried messages aimed at the owners such as ‘150 years of history – but how many more?’.
On the pitch Junior Hoilett was sent off for two bookings in six minutes just past the hour.
After goals from former Royal Dom Hyam, Michael Rose and Ian Maatsen trumped efforts by Lucas Joao and Andy Yiadom, Paunovic said: “There is no need to answer questions about my future.
“I am here, I always ask myself if I did my best, and the team performed well today. With the anniversary celebration, the whole year has been difficult and frustrating.”
Coventry boss Mark Robins said: “It is three points we can be really happy with. It was an emotional game for Reading.”
READING: Hein 6; Yiadom 6, Morrison
6, Holmes 6 (Abrefa 87th), Rahman 6; Rinomhota 6 (Meite (69th) 6) Laurent 6; Ince 6, Swift 6, Hoilett 5; Joao 6
COVENTRY: Moore 6; Hyam 8, Rose 7, Clarke-Salter 6; Kane 7, Hamer 7, Sheaf 7, Bidwell 5; O’Hare 7 (Allen 85th), Maatsen
8; Gyokeres 6
STAR MAN: Ian Maatsen
REF: D Webb