Ruben Selles Expected More From Reading Despite Heavy Crawley Win

The manager criticised his side for a poor defensive showing, although the Royals spared their own blushes by putting four past Crawley Town.

The Royals put four past struggling Crawley Town in a good win at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Reading took the lead through Amadou Mbengue in the 20th minute but the visitors equalised shortly after. Lewis Wing then restored our lead with a simply stunning goal. Crawley came out strong in the second half and were undoubtedly on top. Charlie Savage scored to put nerves at ease though before Sam Smith sealed the points.

With the win, Reading are in 13th, just two points off the play-offs.

Manager Ruben Selles felt that his side could have performed better. Here is what he had to say to the Reading Chronicle.

Selles on win

“I don’t think it was a good performance from us. I expect more from my team. We took control of the game and scored the first goal, but we dropped our standards and conceded a goal.

“We scored a really good goal from Lewis Wing and entered a phase early in the second half where we went to protect, in a bad way, the result. We defended some situations and had some situations away from our goal and scored another two goals. I think we have much more to offer than today.”

Selles on sharing goals

“We know we have goals in the team and are difficult to defend if we have time, are vertical and have space. We know what we are, but it is not only about scoring goals, it is about how we perform as a team.”

Selles on defensive performance

“I would not call it a strong defensive performance. We need to do better. We had situations in the corner that we did not manage well, we had situations in open play that we did not make the appropriate clearance, we tried to overplay in some situations giving them a transition and space - especially half spaces between the centre-back and full-back. In the emergency defence, we were good, but we should not let it get to that.”

Selles on cameos from Shay Spencer, Basil Tuma and Jayden Wareham

“They are working hard for us and deserve the opportunity to play. It was a moment where we wanted some energy and Shay, Basil and Jayden have been working hard for this moment. I have no problem if they give me 100 per cent so they deserve to be there.”

Selles on building momentum

“For that, we need to perform better. We will not be able to win football matches if we play like today so we need to play our game more consistently.”