Noel Hunt Praises Reading’s ‘So Important’ Clean Sheet At Charlton

Reading picked up their first clean sheet on the road since the end of last season at The Valley, drawing 0-0.

The Royals picked up a positive point on the road against Charlton Athletic to continue the unbeaten run.

Reading did well under pressure and, with some good defending, held on to get a good point on the road. The point sees us move down to sixth but with a three-point buffer on seventh-placed side Stockport County.

Manager Noel Hunt was pleased with his side’s performance and a clean sheet away from home. Here is what he had to say, he spoke to the Reading Chronicle.

Hunt on the performance

“With the work that we’ve put in over the last three or four weeks, and before, they deserve that little bit of luck that we maybe hadn’t had in the last three or four games. I thought the boys were amazing today.

“We had two or three [chances] but the clean sheet was so important to us - we haven’t had one since last year away from home. It was massive in terms of how we defend as a team.

“We tightened up a few things and the boys battled all the way through. It was a young team: Abraham [Kanu], Kelvin on came back training last week and played right wing. Andre battled well today.”

Hunt on picking up a point away from home

“Away from home it is important that we have a strong base. The structure and skeleton of our team is really good in terms of our spine. We have experience all over the pitch there.

“The boys in midfield were outstanding today - Charlie Savage with the block in the last seconds is credit to him. Harlee Dean using his experience and taking one off the line.

“A point away from home against these - they don’t drop many at home and have an experienced side. You see Chuks Aneke coming on and think ‘wow, let’s go’. I’m really impressed with the boys.”