Leam Richardson Disappointed With Reading’s Second Half At Bradford

The Royals suffered their second defeat on the bounce after a 2-0 loss to Bradford City at Valley Parade on Saturday.

Both goals came in the second half after a goalless first half. The Royals had their chances but couldn’t convert.

The Royals are now 18th, level on points with Plymouth Argyle in 21st. Here is what manager Leam Richardson had to say, he spoke to Royals TV.

Richardson on the defeat 

“The result is disappointing. I thought first half for an away performance was very good. I thought our energy, how we met them, how we pressed them, we forced them long, we transitioned very well. We had some very good chances that we’ve got to do better with. My disappointment was we couldn’t sustain that in the second half.”

Richardson on the differences between Reading and Bradford 

“The first goal disappointed us quite a lot. Obviously at a place like this.

“We’ve got to remember we’ve been together for a short period and the likes of Bradford have been recruiting and been together for over two years. They have a style of play and a lot of continuity and sustainability which our club has gone through the opposite with a big transition of change and you can see the difference.

“We’ve got to get there, we will get there as a club. Do I think it’ll happen over night? No. Do I think it will happen with hard work and really strong habits and culture around the football club with good people? Of course I do.”

Richardson on what he has learnt in the first six games 

“Honestly nothing, that’s not being flippant or anything else. I’ve been doing it a long time, I’ve got a lot of experience in the league. I don’t think Joel has made a save today but we’ve been on the end of a 2-0 loss but that’s the league at the minute.

“We have to have a team that is consistent with their performance, we need to carry goals. I’ve spoken about our fitness levels that we need to sustain during the game.

“We have got a lot of youthfulness and players who have come to Valley Parade for the first time. You can’t get away from that. 60%/70% of our players have never been here and have never played against the likes of the Bradford players but we’ve got to be better.

“We’ve got to sustain what we’re going to do,  we’ve got to have a plan and we’ve got to learn every single day.” 

Richardson on lack of experience 

“I think so, you can see it with abundance. Like I said, when you look at teams around the country going from the Premier League to the Championship into our league. The ones who have had really strong continuity and a really sustained period of how they play, what their habits are, the style etc, you can do whatever you say, and the levels.

“We are going through transition because our results will tell you the same as well. We’ve won a couple, we’ve drawn a couple and we’ve lost a couple but not for the lack of trying. I think the lads give every effort if I’m honest, sometimes misguided but first half very good, second half we couldn’t sustain.”

Richardson on the change of formation

“Bradford are very good at home, very effective, they want to bring you on and change play and put lots of crosses in your box but we nullified that for a large period until they scored and then it is probably the first time we came out of our shape and chased the game a little bit.

“Again we are still getting to know each other still, getting to know the demands of each other and what’s expected.”

Richardson on Andy Rinomhota

“Huge loss. We want Andy on the pitch, he’s got a bit of illness and obviously going away, which is disappointing, but saying that he’ll come back fitter, fresher and stronger to go into the latter parts.”

Richardson on the fans

“You can never say enough plaudits. I appreciate them before the game because once I get told they’ve sold the allocation. I know how expensive it is to travel up and down the country for the weekend.

“I ask myself every time, half-time, full-time, could the lads give us any more? And when the answer is no, it is the least that you can give them.

“Could we make better decisions and get better results? Of course we can, but it’s not for the lack of trying. We’ll come back and we’ll evolve, no doubt about it.”