Royals boss feels proud despite Posh loss

Reading manager Brian McDermott has insisted that he is proud of his players on the run they have been on in the past few months, despite a 3-1 loss to Peterborough last night.

The 50-year old witnessed his team lose for the first time in eleven games, with his side winning nine of those eleven. A Noel Hunt goal gave Reading the lead on 20 minutes, before George Boyd and Tyrone Barnett put the Posh in front at half time. Paul Taylor then added a third for Darren Ferguson's side.

McDermott told the official RFC site: 'It's the end of a terrific run. We got the first goal then felt we could kick on like normal but got done on two set plays. If we'd got a second goal it might have been different. The players are disappointed but they shouldn't be, what they have done has been phenomenal, I think it's 17 wins out of 22.'

'This is not an easy place to come, I was well aware of that before the game and Peteborough have played well. They've got a good manager and we have to congratulate the opposition. Their strikers will threaten anyone in this League. As I say we've come to the end of our run, but nothing changes for us in terms of what we do.'

The Royals will now look to a tough home game this weekend against Ian Holloway's Blackpool, who are currently occupying seventh position. McDermott could decide to freshen his team up a little following this loss, with Jason Roberts a definite unavailability as he suffered a suspected pulled hamstring last night.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.