Ruben Selles On Reading’s ‘Difficult Afternoon’ At Wrexham

The Royals’ unbeaten start to the season (in normal time) is over, after Wrexham dispatched Reading 3-0 on Saturday.

The Royals had a difficult afternoon in Wales after a 3-0 defeat to recently promoted Wrexham.

Reading just never got going and were 2-0 down at half-time. Andrew Cannon secured the points and made sure there was no comeback early in the second half. The defeat means our unbeaten start to the league is now over.

Here is what Reading boss Ruben Selles had to say, he spoke to the Reading Chronicle and Wokingham Today.

Selles on the defeat

“It was a difficult afternoon. The way we came into the game and in the first 20 minutes I think we showed what we are and the character. I think we missed something in the final third, I need to review it.

“The goal came out of an action we should defend better, and the second goal came so quickly that it put us out of the game for a little bit. A game like today will happen.

“We tried in the second half, but we conceded the third goal. We need to learn the situations. Sometimes it’s difficult and those games are going to come. The boys put absolutely everything.”

Selles on lack of clinical edge

“In the last couple of games, we’ve been clinical but today we missed that part of it. When that isn’t there, it is important that you don’t concede, but today we conceded the first and should have defended better as a team.

“It is a difficult place [to come], they have a clear style of play and maximise their situations. We need to take the information from today and be prepared for the next game, which will be similar.

“We know that we can create situations and have a quick attack - we know we can do it. For me, it was more about keeping the zero against and then we were in the game.”

Selles on Adrian Akande debut

“He was as good as any other player on the pitch. It is always difficult to go onto the pitch, but he showed a bit of what he is - he wants to do things and be aggressive in possession. Hopefully, he will only get better in that position.”

Selles on Mamadi Camara injury

“We know Mamadi in the last year picked up two injuries - one muscle injury not related to contact and one in training with his ankle- neither related to contact.

“We tried to put him away from two games per week and reduce his load but on Tuesday in training - absolutely alone in front of goal - he mistouched with his left foot and twisted his ankle so he will be out for some weeks.”

Selles on the takeover

“It always looks like it’s going to come ‘next week.’ I know it will come but it is very difficult to finish a deal like that. Hopefully, it will be done before the transfer window closes.

“I don’t have the details (on why it has been delayed).

“That process has been there. There is a lot of things when you buy a club, you need to be sure what you are buying and the papers and details of the contract. I’m sure Rob (Couhig) is doing everything he can to get the club as soon as possible.

“I have no idea about the exact issues, but every time we have been very close there has been something that they need to revisit. These things take time.

“I don’t know when (it will be completed) because we’ve been talking about it for the last four months.

“We have a group of young players that are working together and we will have bad days like today. It’s where we are and the last couple of weeks we have been brilliant against Birmingham and Wigan.

“The players are giving us 100% and if somebody can help us then really good, if not then we will continue fighting.

“People need to know until the takeover happens and the entire season, it’s a season to establish the platform and then we will see what will be at the end of the season.”

Selles on Femi Azeez and transfer window

“It doesn’t help (losing players), but football is what it is. We thank Femi. He started last season being a player with a lot of doubts in himself but he grew with us and gave us a lot.

“Sometimes the moment is correct for the club in terms of finances and now our task is to negotiate with the EFL to get a replacement and try to see if the takeover is done and see if we can get a couple of players in.

“I’m not happy to lose Femi, but we pushed it as much as we could get and got a price that is fair for the club.

“We need to be able to adapt and adjust to those things. The only problem right now is because we’re in a unique situation. We need to be able to take a player in and for that we need the permission from the EFL and the club is working on that with them.

“In terms of finance it was good business, not the best timing for us but it is what it is.

“Femi went to Millwall and we’ve spoken with the EFL about the money that is coming to us and how we can use it. The options from the start of the transfer window are different from now. We have found a player we are interested in and are doing the maximum to have him for the next game.

“If the takeover happens before next Friday (transfer deadline) we can potentially have a couple of other players also. I’m confident at least one player will (join). If the takeover is after then we will need to see the market of the free agents.”