Reading FC manager Paul Ince was full of praise for his players, after they claimed a 2-0 victory over Bristol City on Saturday afternoon.
Having lost their three most recent games, the Royals got back to winning ways through goals from Mamadou Loum and Andy Carroll.
Of the result, Ince said: “Today we should have had three or four chances where we put the game to bed.
“I don’t always want to be like that but it’s where we are. I’m not interested in whether it’s scrappy, great, Barcelona or Manchester City – it was three points which were thoroughly deserved.”
Loum broke the deadlock soon after the restart, rising highest to nod home a Tom Ince corner.
The goal was the midfielder’s first goal since arriving in Reading after his loan move from Porto.
Ince said: “You see when he’s on his game he’s a man mountain. Not just the header that he just scored, but defensively how he got up and won them.
“He’s going to be a very good player so long as he learns and listens, and does the right things and doesn’t do silly things that puts the team on the back foot.
“You’ve got to be pleased for him, he’s a lovely guy, and the players love him so let’s hope there’s plenty more to come.”
The Reading manager also singled out Jeff Hendrick as ‘the best player on the park’, lauding the midfielder’s consistency.
He explained: “You’re talking about top players that know the game. They’re cut, they’ve played at the highest level and we’re lucky to have them.
“Jeff was outstanding, best player on the park by a mile. I’ve asked him to be more influential in games. With Jeff you will always get a six or a seven, but he’s got much more than that. He’s a Premier League player and what we showed today was Premier League level.
The Royals will head to Burnley next Saturday hoping to back up what was a positive showing at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
However, the schedule will see the side play three games in six days, with their fixture against Preston taking place on Friday, November 4.
Ince said: “Again, I’m going to winge and moan, but after Burnley we go Luton and then Preston. That’s three games in six days again, I don’t see any of the other teams doing that and I’m not sure why they’re doing it, but they’re doing it.
“To have this free week to get some rest and just get a win before we go to Burnley because we know that’s going to be tough.
“They’re a very, very good side and I think not getting a win today, you think you’ve got to go up to Burnley and get three points, which we will do anyway, but it just gives us a bit more confidence.”
