Ruben Selles Praises Reading’s Clinical Second Half In Newport Win

The Royals took their time to find their shooting boots on Tuesday, but dispatched League Two Newport 3-0 with a trio of second-half goals.

The Royals picked up a good win in the EFL Trophy against Newport County at the SCL Stadium on Tuesday night. Goals through Harvey Knibbs and Jayden Wareham secured a 3-0 win to move us through to the knockout stages.

Here is what manager, Ruben Selles had to say. He spoke to the official club website and Reading Chronicle.

Selles on the victory

“I think we had a good game. We performed in the way that we wanted, we had some changes but we kept a powerful team on the pitch.

“We finished strong in the game, we controlled the game, in the very beginning it took us 10-15 minutes to adjust our levels, but I think we did everything we can, scored the goals.

“Admittedly, we should go at least one goal into the break, but I’m very proud of the effort that they put into it.

“Then at the break, We adjusted a couple of things. I think they had some transitions in the first half because we were not closing enough with our full-backs, what we call the locking.

“We talked about in the final third we were having the situations but we were not dynamic enough in the box just to find the spare player.

“So we had to adjust what we did, having the counter runs, then the mobility and the crossover in some positions. And I think in the second half we were more clinical in what we did.

“We had the players in the first hour that worked so tirelessly to really press the Newport team. Then bringing on three players, one of them gets two goals and the second one gets an assist. It just shows that we do have a little bit of strength in depth there.

“It is clear to see that the players are growing. Some of them need to start those games just to continue with their progression. We know they are good players and some of the others just need to feel that when the moment arrives.

“I think today the game plan was set for us to develop the players but also to keep our powerful team on the pitch and to end up with high energy and quality and that’s what we did and I think it worked.”

Selles on starting a strong side

“It was a very strong team, and it is good that we are talking about a very strong team with two full-backs at 16 and 17 and a midfielder at 18 years old. Ashqar [Ahmed] has been involved in the last four or five games, Andre is Andre and Shay is growing and playing every cup game, ready to go. We had a strong team and ended really strong.

“The boys are growing, and they are doing a fantastic job. It is good news that we can modify the position for Lewis Wing, playing as an eight, and modify for Jeriel Dorsett in his usual position before we arrived and having Abraham [Kanu] back after a long period of injury.”