Brian McDermott rues "submissive" Reading

Brian McDermott
© PA Photos
Reading manager Brian McDermott has claimed that his side were "too submissive" after they were beaten 3-1 by Tottenham Hotspur at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

The Royals are still without a win after four games as a Jermain Defoe brace helped the visitors pick up their first three points of the season.

"I thought we were too submissive and didn't get on the ball enough or in their faces," McDermott told BBC Sport. "I made some changes and we were much better in the second half. We came up against a very good side today and they deserved the win.

"We've got to move on very, very quickly. Today was a learning curve for all of us. Spurs is a team full of world-class performers, but we didn't cause enough problems for them, especially in the first half."

Reading have the chance to pick up their first win of the campaign on Saturday when they travel to West Bromwich Albion.
Tables
TeamPGDPTS
1Manchester United384389
2Manchester City383278
3Chelsea383675
4Arsenal383573
5Tottenham Hotspur382072
6Everton381563
7Liverpool382861
8West Bromwich Albion38-449
9Swansea City38-446
10West Ham United38-846
11Norwich City38-1744
12Fulham38-1043
13Stoke City38-1142
14Southampton38-1141
15Aston Villa38-2241
16Newcastle United38-2341
17Sunderland38-1339
RWigan Athletic38-2636
RReading38-3028
RQueens Park Rangers38-3025