SELLES ‘DELIGHTED’ AS ROYALS MAKE PROGRESS

READING FC boss was delighted by his team’s performance as they kicked off the busy Christmas period by earning three points over Wigan Athletic.

A thunderous strike from Femi Azeez got Reading off the mark and they added to their lead quickly after half-time when Sam Smith snuck in behind the Wigan defence to connect with an Amadou Mbengue cross.

“I’m very happy with the performance,” said Selles.

“The players put everything on it to get three points.

“The first 15 minutes we didn’t feel comfortable but after that we managed the game to the end.

“We can enjoy the victory today and have a good recovery before the next game.

“He (Femi Azeez) has being doing a really good job for us the entire season and needed a little bit of luck and he finally got it.

With confidence and a couple of things that he has modified in his game, he is a really powerful player for us.”

Selles also noted the defensive solidkilty from his team and praised their collectvei effort to earn a clean sheet.

He continued:Wer have massively improved in those positions. Jeriel Dorsett is very powerful in set plays. Tom (Holmes) has been really good and also Tyler.

“The defenders are not the only reason, the entire team is defending well. They know when to defend, when to go higher and press.

“When we needed to manage the game in a little bit more of a low block for the last 15 minutes we did it and felt comfortable. The entire team is growing in that direction.”

Selles also gave an update on Andyi Yiadom who missed out on the matchday squad through injury.

He said: “After the game against Lincoln and in the first couple of training sessions he felt something in his knee. “It is just a matter of days. He didn’t feel comfortable yesterday so we decided not to risk him and hopefully he will be ready for the next one, but it will be a 50/50 situation.

“A lot of things have connected. We changed the shape, we changed some of the players in the line-up and the team has started to grow. We have been very competitive. “The performance and spirit and the sensation and feeling of having a team that is difficult to beat, they want to play together and compete together.”