Noel Hunt ‘Not Getting Carried Away’ Despite Reading’s Big Posh Win

The gaffer was full of praise for an important home victory over Peterborough United which put the Royals into the top six.

The Royals picked up a brilliant 3-1 victory against Peterborough United at the SCL Stadium on Saturday afternoon to move us back into the playoffs.

Reading took the lead in the first half through a Peterborough own goal, but second-half goals through Harvey Knibbs and Charlie Savage secured the points. Kwame Poku pulled one back for the visitors.

We are now unbeaten in 11 games and we’ve returned back to the playoffs. Manager Noel Hunt was pleased with his side’s good performance. Here is what he had to say to the Reading Chronicle.

Hunt on the performance

“I thought we were really good, we looked fresh. At times in the first half, we were maybe a bit slow on the ball but controlled and really good after that. It was a good performance.

“We tried to ensure we had intensity and work rate - we spoke during the week that we had to have the freshness coming back. Having to chop and change at 10am this morning but it had to happen, and the boys dealt with it really well. It didn’t phase them, and we grew together as a team.”

Hunt on making changes ahead of the game

“We spoke about it before, no matter who comes in and wears the shirt they give everything. If they make a mistake, it’s not for a lack of effort or a bad place, it’s a genuine mistake and they do everything to make up for it. That’s what we want.

“We had to change the team this morning, Tyler fell ill yesterday evening and Andre had a knock, so we had to shuffle it around. They’re in a good place mentality-wise.

“I planned on playing [Yiadom] 70 today and he ended up doing the 90. He said he was OK, but we have to assess him and not get carried away. I thought both [Yiadom and Stickland] were fantastic in terms of attitude, endeavour and quality. On the ball and off the ball, communication was really good.”

Hunt on not getting carried away

“We play football to win, that’s the ultimate aim. It is a free hit for us, nobody gave us a chance in hell of being up there.

“I said it in August, and we have to keep building and working, not getting carried away. There will be ups and downs in the next five weeks so we have to focus on us and ensure we do whatever we can to stay around it.”