Reading manager Steve Clarke is optimistic that his side’s first league win of the season is not far away, providing they continue to put in performances of the standard that they did at Hillsborough.
The Royals were only able to claim a point against Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday, with a last-minute Modou Sougou goal cancelling out Danny Williams’ strike.Clarke admits it was a disheartening goal to concede, but says he will not to allow his team to be despondent.
"I've just said to them at the end of the game, that if they perform like that we'll be at the right end of the table come May,” he said to Reading’s official site.
"The team looks good, the shape looks good, we bossed the game from almost start to finish. We were really unlucky. And I think the reaction from their coaching staff, saying they'd robbed us a little bit, tells you everything.
"We were solid at the back as a four. The midfield four in front of them were doing their jobs properly, denying the opposition space. The front two worked ever so hard tonight. This is the platform you need to win matches. And trust me the wins will come."
Clarke may have been disappointed with the 1-1 draw, but Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal was delighted to snatch a point.
By the 49-year-old’s own admission, Wednesday were nowhere near their best, but he was pleased to see the side show their character during the game.
“Today we didn’t play as well as we can, but I am happy that we got a point rather than dropping two,” Carvalhal said to www.swfc.co.uk.
“The positive to take out of the game is that the players kept going right to the last minute and were able to get the goal.
“There were a few players who didn’t keep up the same performance levels as they have done recently.
“When this happens it can be difficult to get a result as you can’t predict that more than two or three players will not put in a great performance.
“But this happens in football, it happens to the best teams, it happens to every team.”
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