'We deserved the win today': Reading boss on dramatic victory over Bolton Wanderers
Reading boss Noel Hunt felt his side were worthy winners against Bolton Wanderers.
A tight contest between two of the pack chasing the play-offs, Harvey Knibbs' 89th-minute penalty won the battle and ended a three-match losing streak for the Royals.
Coming less than 24 hours after the departure of star striker Sam Smith, the club remain only outside the top six on goal difference.
Speaking after the win, Hunt said: "I thought we looked really strong with a good structure. I thought the boys looked calm and mixed the game up well, which is what we’re looking for. I thought we were outstanding. Every man, to a tee, and the subs that came on. Even the boys behind me were encouraging and pressing with them, it was great to hear and great to watch."
Reading had not been awarded a home penalty in over a year before Kion Etete handled a cross, giving the referee no doubt but to point to the spot.
"I said to him [Knibbs] to keep going and you’ll get one. We have been turned down many in the last six or seven games so it’s a credit to the boys. They were superb and kept going. We said if we performed and played our game, it would be the first to blink- fortunately for us it was them."
A nip and tuck tie, the Trotters had two clear chances to open the scoring earlier, Aaron Collins guilty of wasting both.
"Put out a performance and put out the work rate that we have into every game and then we’ll see where we are at the end of it. Joel made a great save; a fortunate one go through, and he made a great save for us at 0-0. We got the bit of luck at the other end, and we deserved the win today. We can still get better in the final third and make better decisions to create more chances but they’re a young group and they’re learning."
On Tuesday, Reading succumbed to a stoppage-time defeat at Burton Albion. Hunt believes it shows great character to be on the winning side just four days later.
"It shows the character of the group, to keep going. I’ve seen teams crumble before that. I said to the boys on Tuesday that I fell back in love with the game in terms of how we wanted to play and control the game. Tonight topped it off, they deserve every ounce of myself and the staff because they give everything every day. It’s important we stick together, keep growing as a team as best we can and move forward."
