INCE: LOSS DOES NOT BOTHER ME!
PAUL Ince expressed deep pride at keeping Reading in the division – even though his side were thumped at Hull City.
Celebrations from Royals fans were tempered, though, as two goals from Keane Lewis-Potter and an Alfie Jones tap-in consigned the visitors to a humbling defeat.
Reading have had an awful season, with a six-point reduction admittedly not helping their cause.
The club had looked in a perilous position when Ince replaced Veljko Paunovic in February, but they have stayed up with two games remaining.
Ince said: “It’s a big one for me – especially the time I’ve been out (of management). There were a few eyebrows raised when I came to Reading. Getting what I’ve got out of the players, I’m proud of that.
“I didn’t think we’d be able to turn it around that quickly. From day one, the atmosphere has been great.
“There have been no bad eggs since I came here. They’re all fighting together and you can sense that around the building.
“I’m proud that the fans can now look forward to another season in the Championship.”
Despite the bad result, Ince added: “Why am I disappointed? Two months ago this club was going down. I don’t want ‘disappointment’ as a word associated with Reading. It’s a fantastic day – the result doesn’t bother me because it’s gone our way.”
On his long-term position at Reading, Ince added: “I’m sure there’ll be a conversation. The club needs to rebuild and there’s things that need to be dealt with – on and off the pitch.”
Richie Smallwood’s header over the bar off George Honeyman’s free-kick was as good as it got before the half-hour mark.
A game that was going nowhere sparked into life by Lewis-Potter’s goal after 40 minutes. He was given too much time on the left and his powerful drive from an acute angle gave Orjan Nyland little chance.
Reading were then guilty of further defensive hesitancy when a mix-up off Honeyman’s free-kick allowed Jones to poke the ball home from close range.
Reading nearly equalised on the hour when Tom Ince – formerly of this parish – sent over a teasing ball from the left side.
Lucas Joao did well to latch on to the chance, but Nathan Baxter stood tall to palm the ball away.
The visitors conceded a third in injury-time when Lewis-Potter held his nerve in a one-onone position following good work from Tom Eaves.
Hull preserved their safety last weekend, but boss Shota Arveladze was particularly impressed by his players’ work ethic at both ends of the pitch.
He said: “We have done both sides to the game and it’s credit to the defensive team, and it’s good credit to the offensive team.
“It was a good mix of great fans, good goals and a result – you could not wish any more.
“Their target was to stay in the league and they did not risk much – it is difficult to play in these type of games.”
On the future of Lewis-Potter, Arveladze added: “If we lose him or not we will have to work hard (to replace him). It’s great to see the local lad going higher.”