Clarke: "I Can Promise That Next Season Will Be Better"

Steve Clarke has assured Reading fans that we will not be in the same position as what we have been this season. It was another disappointing evening with the Royals losing 2-1 to Rotherham, who secured their safety in the Championship for another season.

Clarke told GetReading,

"I can promise the supporters that next season will be better. They have to stick with us, they have to believe we know what's wrong and we know what to do. It's going to be a busy summer. That (relegation) won't even be an issue next season, that what I'm trying to say to supporters. It's not going to happen. Next season we won't be near the bottom three."

On the game itself Clarke told Reading FC player,

"It's a bit deja vu. It's disappointing and this is a team that has forgotten how to win and is in a difficult moment, but fortunately the end of the season is coming and we can look to address a few issues in the summer."

"Tonight was a different game to recent games, recently we have played really well and created lots of chances, but tonight we didn't create that much. We kept going, we managed to get a goal back near the end but like I say we didn't create much."

Clarke continued to say,

"The crucial moment was always going to be the first goal, and that came about from a bad mistake from us. Then we lost a second goal and that made it very difficult. We kept going until the end, you can't say that we gave up, we kept going and tried to make it difficult for Rotherham. Olly Norwood had a good shot for the goal, it was nice to see us scoring but it would be nice to see us score a couple at Derby and hopefully end the season with a win."

Like Clarke said, Derby is up next, our final game of the season. Derby need to win to get into the play-offs. That was us this time last year, how times can change!

Clarke said:

"It's a big incentive for Derby. They're playing for a place in the play-offs and we are playing for pride. Our players are hurting in the dressing room, they are disappointed. They can't find a way to win for love nor money. My job is to try and pick their heads up, get their heads ready for Saturday and we'll go there and give it a go."