READING FC’s new permanent manager Noel Hunt didn’t claim the dream home debut result he had hoped for as his side fell below standards in a 3-0 loss to Blackpool.
Two first half finishes put the Royals behind at the break, before an Ashley Flecther second half goal sealed the deal to burst Hunt’s bubble.
“We have to go back, and we have to analyse, but on the day we weren’t good enough and you know there were moments in the games that we had really good chances before their goal.”
“On the day I felt we were a bit slow on the ball, too many touches at times and they’re a young group as we know. I’ve said that in the second half we have to still believe in them and what they’re doing. Not to shy away but we almost went back into our shells a little bit.”
Hunt didn’t back away from criticizing some controversial decisions made by referee Anthony Backhouse either, sharing his astonishment that Reading weren’t given a penalty in the second half.
“It’s a pen, you know. I’ll speak it to them. It’s a stonewall penalty. I don’t understand what they’re seeing. The Fourth Official said it, their manager (Steve Bruce) said it’s a penalty and don’t know how these big decisions don’t get seen and they cost us.”
He also provided an update on Amadou Mbengue and Jeriel Dorsett who are now sidelined with injuries.
“We have to just wait to see what the doctor says. They weren’t quite happy him even going back on the pitch. I’ve got to trust the medics.”
“It looks like Dorsett picked up a muscle injury last Saturday, he had a bit of a swollen ankle on Monday. So when he came back onto the grass on Thursday he could feel something in his hamstring. The scan doesn’t look good, probably about 4 weeks out.”
Hunt’s side will now have a week’s rest before travelling away to Lincoln on the 21st December in their final game before Christmas Day.
