Noel Hunt Praises ‘Superb’ Reading Showing Against Mansfield Town
The Royals ran out 2-1 winners thanks to a dogged display against the playoff-pushing Stags at the SCL.
The Royals finished 2024 with a 2-1 victory against Mansfield Town at the SCL Stadium on Sunday. Goals through Mamadi Camara and Tyler Bindon secured the points in a positive afternoon for Reading.
We finish what has been a tough year on a high in the playoffs. Manager Noel Hunt was pleased with his side’s superb performance. Here is what he had to say, he spoke to the Reading Chronicle.
Hunt on the win
“I thought the boys were superb today. We knew it was going to be that kind of game, and we thought it would be about the first to blink - force it down and make a mistake. I thought our boys were outstanding from the first goal.”
Hunt on the opening goal
“We spoke about making forward runs into the channels and stepping onto the game. In terms of the build-up, it was scrappy, and we had to flick it on.
“Sam gets himself in and has a clever little touch. We know Sam can get runners off him, Wingy gets through and it’s a great pass and the finish is great.”
Hunt on the equaliser
“Nothing changed but they got a goal. It hadn’t happened in the first half where from the goal-kick we didn’t get the first contact with the attacker. They get the ball settled, we don’t stop the cross and we were a little off marking.
“We have a young group and they’re learning quickly. For our boys, we will work on that, and it won’t happen again.
“We spoke about it at half-time and earning the right that we had because we had a five versus two at the back where they dropped back in trying to suck into us and behind to Sam to play off that.
“They’re a good side, well drilled, and when you watch them two or three times you think ‘wow’. They have some experience, legs and young players. The manager is top class, and we didn’t want to blink first, and we didn’t. The boys out there were outstanding.”
Hunt on back-to-back wins
“We asked if we could go back-to-back today and finish the year with a bang to give us a foothold into next year, and they answered the question really well.
“If we could get momentum up and going, like we have done, you have to take it into every game. Every game is going to be a fight and a battle but if we can win those things and outrun teams, our football will come through.”
Hunt on upcoming Cambridge game
“We will assess tomorrow and see who has what and where. We will get a look at them after this. They’re a good side at home with good support and we have to be ready for it.”