MX23RW : Friday, December 13 10:43:08| >> :120:12823:12823:
[monks data]
Reading logo
Championship | Gameweek 46
May 8, 2021 at 12.30pm UK
Madejski Stadium
Huddersfield logo

Reading
2 - 2
Huddersfield

Olise (18' pen.), Meite (26')
Semedo (14')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Koroma (15'), Edmonds-Green (90+2')
Vallejo (80')

Veljko Paunovic hails "huge improvement" in Reading season

Veljko Paunovic hails
© Reuters
Reading finish seventh after a strong start to season.

Reading manager Veljko Paunovic hailed the "huge improvement" in his side – compared to recent seasons – as they secured a seventh-place finish in the Championship with a 2-2 home draw against Huddersfield.

Town went in front through Josh Koroma but Reading were ahead by half time thanks to goals from Michael Olise, with a penalty, and Yakou Meite.

Although Reading dominated most of the second half, they missed a series of half-chances – allowing Rarmani Edmonds-Green to level in the 93rd minute.

Despite Reading winning only one of their last 11 matches of the campaign, Paunovic said: "I think that the season has been a success

"I think that is how we should look at it.

"We didn't finish in the best possible way or the way that we wanted to.

"Okay, maybe it is not quite a success. But I would definitely characterise it as a huge improvement this season.

"A huge improvement in the game, in our identity and in our character. And, of course, an overall improvement in results.

"We had been in the play-offs for almost the whole season so it's hard not to see that as a disappointment.

"But we have to remind ourselves that there are still a lot of positives and we have to build on that."

Paunovic admitted conceding the late equaliser was disappointing.

He said: "It's probably a reflection of how we felt two weeks ago when we lost our opportunity for the play-offs.

"It's been hard since then to carry on but, to be honest, we've done a good job.

"We carried our spirit until the end today, until conceding the equaliser, but at least this draw helped us to achieve the barrier of 70 points. That is something.

"On the other side, I'm proud of the efforts of the team today and over the whole season.

"After the disappointment of missing the play-offs, the players have worked hard and kept themselves accountable."

Paunovic, in his first campaign in English football, confirmed that he would like to stay at Reading next season.

"Yes, I do," the Serb said. "I do expect that. I work as though I'm going to be here.

"I understand how everything works here and I will always give my best. I treat this club as my club."

Huddersfield ended the season in 20th place, with only one victory in their last 10 matches.

Head coach Carlos Corberan said: "We didn't get the result we wanted but we finished the game with the right mentality.

"We made a lot of passes but, at times, we made it too complicated for ourselves.

"The start of the game was very positive for us. But after we scored, we knew it was not going to be easy to defend because Reading have a lot of ability.

"They tried to attack a lot, they were trying to change the game, so we had to play with a lot of personality and character.

"Today, fortunately, we got a point. Even though it doesn't change anything in the table, it changes a lot of feeling that we have inside ourselves.

"As a club, we want to grow and we want to improve the squad.

"I want to see a better profile of the team, better performances and better results."

ID:446589: cacheID:446589:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5004:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Derby County's manager Wayne Rooney before the match on March 6, 2021
Read Next:
Saturday's Championship predictions including Derby vs. Sheffield Wednesday
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe18124239211840
2Wrexham19124328111740
3Birmingham CityBirmingham17123232161639
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield18112528161235
5Stockport CountyStockport1996431191233
6Reading189453025531
7Bolton WanderersBolton179352827130
8Barnsley197662725227
9Lincoln CityLincoln197662423127
10Mansfield TownMansfield177372222024
11Exeter CityExeter187381619-324
12Charlton AthleticCharlton186571819-123
13Blackpool186572631-523
14Stevenage176471316-322
15Peterborough UnitedPeterborough186393332121
16Leyton Orient186391920-121
17Northampton TownNorthampton195682126-521
18Bristol Rovers186391726-921
19Wigan AthleticWigan185581516-120
20Rotherham UnitedRotherham175571620-420
21Crawley TownCrawley185491728-1119
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge1844101829-1116
23Burton Albion1825111630-1411
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1832131835-1711


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!