Reading FC striker Lucas Joao has reiterated that he is ‘confident’ that he will be able to keep the Royals in the Championship this season
Reading have had a torrid time in what is their 150th anniversary year as a club, fighting against relegation in a period that has seen problems both on and off the field.
The Royals head into the weekend against Blackburn Rovers just two points above the relegation zone after they picked up a point away at Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
In an interview with Sky Sports, the Portuguese forward, who won the EFL Player of the Month award for February, gave his opinion on his team’s fight for survival: “Reading gave me the chance to play regular football and I want to repay them for that.
“We couldn’t give the fans the season of celebration they deserved on the 150th anniversary of the club.
“They’ve not had the chance to enjoy that properly.
“But I’m confident with me in the team, we can stay up.
“I believe good things will come.”
Joao has missed the majority of the season with a hip injury but has managed to contribute since returning with six Championship goals following on from a superb campaign that saw him net 19 league goals last season.
He continued: “The team were doing well up to a point, winning games and around the top six.
“Then suddenly a bad period came and then there was the points deduction and injuries.
“I feel like if I had been fit we would have been a bit higher up the table at least with the qualities I have, I could have helped the team.”
Joao also commented on interim manager Paul Ince who replaced Veljko Paunovic after he left the club in February.
“It’s been a good experience because he’s an interesting coach.
“It’s all about hard work and he’s very demanding.
“But he’s also a very funny person and it’s good to have someone like him around the training ground every day.”
The full interview with Joao can be read at:
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11673/12565979/lucas-joao-interview-we-will-fight-to-keep-reading-in-the-championship
