Ruben Selles: Reading Did A ‘Fantastic Job’ In Birmingham City Draw

The Royals more than matched their opening-day opponents in a 1-1 stalemate.

After a unsettled summer, The Royals returned to League One in a tough day-one fixture against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.

Reading put on a strong performance and took the lead through Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan just before half-time. Alfie May scored a late penalty to share the points. If Reading put in performances like that throughout the season, they’ll be fine.

Manager Ruben Selles was proud of his team’s performance. Here is what he had to say - he spoke to the Reading Chronicle and Reading Today.

Selles on the performance

“We know that the result at the end of the game - not just this game but every game - can be because of a lot of things. It was important for us to come here today and be ourselves, show that we are a team, know the things we’re doing and the way we do it.

“Intense, good in possession and good against the ball. I think we made our game. Situations changed the game, and we didn’t get the three points, but I think we did a good performance. If we continue to do it consistently then we will win a lot of points.

“We did what we planned, the boys did a fantastic job. We could easily have gone home today with the three points. They didn’t have massive chances in the second half. I will take the performance of my team.

“I’m very proud of what they are doing and what they have been doing now for a year under the circumstances.

“We know the tools and know what we are and how we work and how we have to develop the players.

“We know we can’t compete in the market or pay a transfer (fee) so we need to come to work every day and give our best and be the best version of the team we can be.

“Every day the boys are showing how they want to do it together and I’m very proud to be their manager.”

Selles on pressing performance

“I want an ultra-competitive team that is able to put the opposition on the back foot and is able to press them and force them to make decisions. Over pre-season we knew against Birmingham that it would be about that, and I think we were prepared to put them under pressure.”

Selles on squad depth

“I am not going to speculate about that - we are where we are. We are proud - Andre made his first-team debut today at 16 and gave us 15-20 minutes and was amazing with a couple of actions. As I said before the game, I always think that my boys are the best boys in the world, and I go to work every day to make them better.

“It is not about the depth or no depth, we are where we are and we need to do it consistently. If we can improve 1% every day then that is what we’re going to do, no matter if you’re 16 or 32.”

Selles on penalty award

“From the dugout, you could not see as it was his right-shoulder diagonally. The tactical cam is the exact same angle. I am not going to comment on the referees’ job - things happen. If we put two in the net, then it would not be a problem for us.”

Selles on Femi Azeez

“Yesterday in training he felt something in his back, and he went inside. It’s no problem - it’s not about one player. This squad is not about one player or even one manager - it is about how we do things together. If one player isn’t available, then another player - like Mamadi Camara today - will step in and perform for the team. Things happen.”