READING FC manager Paul Ince has urged fans to ‘stick together’ to help the club try and avoid relegation from the Championship.
Lucas Joao’s goal ensured the Royals ended a run of seven away defeats on the bounce to take a point at Bristol City.
The Royals are currently seven points above the relegation zone, but that could be cut to just one if they are deducted six points by the EFL.
“It was disappointing because we were comfortable,” said Ince, reacting to going behind on the stroke of half-time.
“We nullified them in the first half and had the best chance. It was a glorious, glorious chance.
“We let the ball back inside which was poor form us and they get lucky with the deflection off Naby Sarr and then the deflection off Amadou (Mbengue) which is just our bloody luck.
“It can demoralise you, it really can, but not this group of players they’ve got this togetherness and spirit to go again irrespective of what the situation is.”
Some away supporters voiced their displeasure at the substitutes on the hour mark as Femi Azeez and Lucas Joao replaced Nesta Guinness-Walker and Tyrese Fornah.
Ince continued: “I get the fans are frustrated. We are all frustrated. We’ve got three or four kids on the bench.
“When you’re trying to get a goal you’ve got to change it around. We had Femi (Azeez) and we had Lucas (Joao), I don’t know what they expect after that, that’s all we’ve got unless you want a 17-year-old kid who hasn’t played before.
“You’ve got to take risks and we went to 4-4-1-1; Lucas is a goalscorer.
“He’s had a tough week going to Angola with a lot of travelling which is why he didn’t start, but came on and got his goal and could have got another one.
“We’re at the stage where we are all frustrated but we’ve got to stick together. If we don’t stick together then there’s only one thing that’s going to happen and that’s relegation.
“We know the points are coming (points deduction). It’s about building points at this stage
“That’s what Thomas (Ince) brings us. He’s a top player, our best player.
“He’s our top goalscorer and top of assists so to not have him in the team when you need that creativity. Unfortunately he’s out injured for a bit. He’s a massive, massive loss.
“We’ve got to stay calm, keep supporting the players until the end of the season.”
