Paul Ince addresses 'demoralising' Reading blow ahead of Birmingham City clash

The latest Birmingham City news and views from BirminghamLive as Paul Ince looks ahead to Blues' visit

Brian Dick Football Writer

16:16, 05 Apr 2023

Reading manager Paul Ince has seen his side docked six points(Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)

Paul Ince admits Reading’s points deduction has been "demoralising" as the Royals prepare for their Good Friday appointment with Birmingham City.

Speaking ahead of the game the former Wolves and Manchester United midfielder was asked about this week’s setback, when his team were docked six points for breaching EFL financial guidelines.

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That penalty has taken them from a relatively comfortable position to two places and one point above the Championship relegation zone – with the game against improving Blues their first since the league’s announcement.

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Ince told BerkshireLive : "It's [the mood] not been great. I knew it was hanging over us for a period of time but a lot of people at the club didn't know it was going to happen until it broke five or six weeks ago. The reality of it happening - of course it's demoralising, but we have to deal with it. The timing of it is poor, that's the most disappointing thing for me. I don't know why it has taken so long.

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"Even the players have been saying 'when are we going to get these six points? We just want it over and done with.' As players and staff you try and push it to the back of your mind but subconsciously it's always where and you can't do anything about it. As much as you focus on the games, it's always in your head.

"It's tough because we were there on 46 points, but we knew it was coming. It's not a nice place to be in. You're thinking with 46 points, one more win and you're safe. But now we need three wins to stay in the league so you can understand how the mindset has switched. We can't do anything about it - it wasn't through our fault - but we have to be the ones to try and get us out of the situation.

"We have to be [confident]. I don't want us to start moping about it or to have it in our mindset. I want us to think it's done and let's move on. I don't want us to think if we go down, it's because of the six points. We can't think that way. We saw at Bristol City the players are prepared to fight and it'll be nice to get four or five players back from injury but that's not the case. The players never down tools, irrespective of the situation. They'll fight for every game, starting on Friday against Birmingham.

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"Emotionally, I'm a bit up and down because it has been a tough year. Unless you are in it 24/7 as I am, it takes its toll. With the injuries, embargo and now points deduction, to put yourself in a position where you've achieved the objective - at times it hasn't been great - of staying in the league, now you're in a different mindset where you could go down. It's very disappointing but we just have to get on and focus on the next seven games."

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