Reading FC manager Paul Ince was praising of his team’s ‘backs to the wall’ victory over Middlesbrough.
Tyrese Fornah netted his first goal for the Royals to give them three points as Middlesbrough continued their winless start to the season.
It was a nervy ending to the game for the hosts, but they defended resiliently to take the points.
“The boys were unbelievable, I’m happy with the performance,” said Ince.
“It was a different type of performance from Wednesday. Today was back to the walls stuff.
“I half expected it because they put in such a shift on Wednesday and we’re talking about the same 12 players.
“It’s not like Middlesbrough who can bring five subs on to make an impact, they’ve spent a lot of money. I knew after 65 or 70 we would be dead on our feet.
“It was more about sticking together, unity spirit, people making blocks. Thomas (Ince) making a tackle in the 92nd minute, Clarky (John Clarke) making a block when you’re thinking ‘here we go, we’re going to throw it away’.
“That’s what it takes and shows the spirit we have.”
After Reading blew Blackburn away on Wednesday with a 3-0 win, Ince was even more pleased with the manner of victory over Boro.
He continued: “Wednesday was amazing but I think today was even better because of the circumstances.
“We were out on our feet. I’m proud of the way we managed to go from Wednesday to a totally different performance today.
“It was only at the end when they hit long balls into the box to try and get an equaliser.
“We got that little bit of luck and got a result.
“After the Blackburn game I don’t think we got the credit we deserved. People were saying Blackburn weren’t at the races
“We’re never good because we’re Reading, everyone else is rubbish because we win and that’s absolute crap if you ask me.”
