Sunday 21 December 2014 17:37, UK
New Reading manager Steve Clarke believes that his side can still mount a Championship play-off challenge, despite being 13 points off the pace.
Reading lost 1-0 at home to 10-man Watford on Saturday in Clarke's first match in charge of the Berkshire team.
"Watford are a top-six team and yet today we showed that we can match them," Clarke said. "The only thing we didn't do today was stick the ball in the net.
"This is a league in which if you can get a bit of momentum, or turn things round and get on a roll, you can very quickly go up the table.
"I was disappointed with the result but very pleased with the effort and application of the players.
"We had enough of the ball and enough of the game without getting our noses in front. The first goal was going to be crucial and, unfortunately, it fell to them.
"We were always susceptible to the counter-attack and that's just what happened."
Clarke, who succeeded Nigel Adkins on Tuesday, inherited a side that had lost nine of their previous 15 matches in all competitions.
The former West Brom head coach almost had a perfect start, with Reading creating an opening after just 46 seconds.
Jordan Obita crossed from the left but Glenn Murray, who was free at the far post, wildly volleyed over the crossbar.
Watford replied through Almen Abdi, whose fierce 20-yard drive was pushed away by home goalkeeper Adam Federici.
Reading continued to dominate but Chris Gunter, Nick Blackman and Murray all wasted good opportunities.
One minute into first-half stoppage time, Watford's task became harder when centre back Gabrielle Angella was sent off for picking up his second yellow card in eight minutes.
Garath McCleary appeared to have got past the defender but, as Angella fell to the ground, he deliberately handled the ball to impede McCleary's progress.
Watford, seeking their third successive victory, adapted well to their numerical disadvantage at the start of the second half.
But the Reading pressure gradually mounted, with Murray shooting wide after scampering through alone.
Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes also had to make a superb double save to thwart powerful efforts from McCleary and Gunter.
With 20 minutes left, Watford went ahead. Ikechi Anya made quick ground along the left flank and crossed for Abdi, who drove a low shot past the helpless Federici.
Watford hung on grimly as Reading launched a late rally - a rearguard battle that pleased head coach Slavisa Jokanovic.
"It was a very important win for us," Jokanovic said. "I was very proud of the team, especially in those last 15 minutes.
"I wasn't so happy with the first 45 minutes. We did not start very well, Reading were stronger than us and we made unnecessary mistakes.
"But we had a big reaction in the second half. We worked hard together as a team, scored the goal and kept the clean sheet.
"It is very important to win these type of games, it will give us great confidence."
