FOOTBALL’S COMINGHOME!
‘40MONTHSOFHURTNEVER STOPPEDUSDREAMING’
FOR FANS, it’s been a long time coming. But this week, 40 months after their Wembley play-off final, the Royals have been sitting pretty at the top of the Championship.
It’s a sight that Royals fans haven’t seen for several seasons, leading some to joke that the contest should be called off now, and the team given automatic promotion.
But new gaffer Veljko Paunović called for his side to keep their boots firmly on the ground after their early success, including Saturday’s 2-0 win over nine-man Barnsley.
Goals fromYakou Meite and Michael Olise ensured that the Royals picked up their first league win at the Madejski since February, and install them as early leaders of the Championship.
It was a one-sided contest that swung Reading’s way after two Barnsley players were sent off.
“We have to stay humble, this is just the beginning,” said Paunović after the game. “It’s a good start, but it’s just the start.
“It’s a long season and we have to manage expectations.”
He added: “I’m enjoying it but we have to prove ourselves in every game throughout the season.
“I don’t look at this point at the table. We take one game at a time and this is very important. We have to be mature in our approach.”
The Royals will find out how long their season is when they travel to Cardiff on Saturday.
The Tykes were reduced to 10 players just before halftime as Michal Helik was dismissed for denying Lucas Joao a goal scoring opportunity.
The Royals had to stay patient to find an opening against a well organised Barnsley side, but eventually found a breakthrough from substitute Yakou Meite who headed in from close range in the 67th minute.
Things went from bad to worse for the away side who were reduced to nine players moments after the Royals opener as Mads Andersen was shown a second yellow card.
Olise sealed the three points with his first goal for the club as he hit a stunning first time volley that crashed into the bottom corner.
Paunović was full of praise for his team’s efforts, and in particular goalscorers Meite and Olise.
“Yakou (Meite) came back from a small injury and worked very hard,” he continued.
“I’m happy for him that he had a good game, he increases the competition of the team.
“Michael (Olise) is maturing very quickly and he still needs to learn some moments where he can become more effective and take advantage of his skills. The experienced players see a fantastic teammate in him.”
However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for Reading who found themselves on the back foot for much of the first-half when the sides had the same number of players on the pitch.
Reading keeper Rafael had to come to his team’s rescue early in the match as he flew to is right to claw the ball away from goal after Dominik Frieser was left unmarked in the box with a free header.
“In the moments in 11 v 11, the opponent was consistent and intense and they won many of their battles,” continued Paunović.
“We exploited them at the back. It was an amazing job from the whole team.
“The team defended fantastically, there were a couple of great blocks and then we turned over a counter attack and Lucas Joao gave us a game changing moment.
“In the second half our subs helped us. The most positive thing for me today was the spirit, effort, consistency and focus.”
Paunović’s faultless start to life in the Championship sees the Royals top of the pile in the league after two matches, with two wins and two clean sheets.
Reading face an away trip to Cardiff City this Saturday, who have won one and lost one of their opening two games.
READING: Rafael, Araruna, Moore, Morrison, Richards, Rinomhota, Laurent, Olise, Swift, Ejaria, Joao
SUBS: Southwood, McIntyre, Baldock,
Meite, Aluko, Holmes, Puscas BARNSLEY: Walton, Ludewig, Sollbauer, Helik, Andersen, Williams, Mowatt (c), Ritzmaier, Thomas, Frieser, Chaplin
SUBS: Collins, Miller, Halme, Styles,
Adeboyejo, Schmidt, Woodrow GOALS: Meite 67′, Olise 76′