Defence must Tighten Up (Duberry)

It might have been entertaining but conceding another batch of goals, this time four against Liverpool, is not good enough defensively and this is something that needs to be addressed, and soon.

It is not only the amount of goals being conceded, it is the times at which they are being conceded, often within the opening five minutes of the second half that is a worry, and something that is concerning Michael Duberry as he told readingfc.co.uk, "It's funny because we sit in the changing room at half time and everyone's mind is on us not conceding early - we go out with the intention of staying solid and strong.

"But sometimes half time becomes our worst enemy, because we end the first half really well. Half time then comes and it's like we're caught cold.

"At this level it is sometimes your undoing and it can cost you games. Obviously we are conscious of the problem.

"When something like this happens, it becomes a factor because other teams do their homework and they'll know that this team is on the coals after half time.

"Whether people are trying to catch us out I'm not sure. But we're working hard to put it right."

Reading have conceded early in the half against Sunderland, Wigan and Liverpool recently with three or more goal conceded in four of the last six league and cup matches which is not good enough. However, with Michael Duberry and the soon to be fully match fit again Ibrahima Sonko forming a partnership soon things should tighten up at the back.

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