Clarke Believes Reading FC Are Close To First Win

MK Dons visited the Madejski Stadium yesterday afternoon and yes, you guessed it, it was another frustrating afternoon in a goalless draw.

Again, we performed really well for large parts, our defence was strong but we desperately need a striker, something Reading manager Steve Clarke was well aware of when speaking to the Official Club website after the game.

"Another point. Another clean sheet. Another solid performance. We just need a goal."

"We dominated. We have dominated in pretty much every game we've played this year.

"We had a couple of big chances in the first half, if we get in front then MK Dons have to come out and play a little bit more and I'm sure we would have won this game."

Clarke was less than happy with the refereeing performance of David Coote after the Royals were denied a late penalty, Clarke told GetReading:

"It was a penalty. If that's anywhere else on the pitch it's a foul when a player jumps into you like that.

"The referee chose not to give it. For the life of me I don't know why. But seeing his performance, maybe I do understand."

Clarke said earlier this week that he knows our first win is just around the corner, and he reiterated this in his pre-match interview.

"We're getting the shots away, we just need a little break. That's how we feel as a team. I would have taken an ugly win today. I said that in my teamtalk today. If we play fantastic and win, great. But we just wanted the win.

"So it's frustrating for everybody because we know we're a good team. We play like a good team, we shape up like a good team, the performance levels and attitude of players can't be questioned - we got back at almost 4am after the Sheffield Wednesday game in midweek and yet we've gone out today and controlled the game from start to finish again.

"As I said, this is a good team. We're missing a few goals just now, but the goals will come. If we can keep that level of performance, we'll win more than we lose."

It's another busy week for the Royals with a midweek Capital One cup visit to Portsmouth and then Brentford on Saturday before the International break, Clarke admits he is a bit worried about next weeks fixture at Griffin Park, he said:

"Our next league game is away at Brentford and I'm a little bit concerned about their pitch because it's only just being relaid. But we will go there in a positive frame of mind.

"We're honest. We know we need more points. But if we can keep this level of performance, those points will come. There is no doubt in my mind that if we can keep this group together and maybe add one or two more, then this group will be challenging in the top half of the table.

"As a group we're doing a hell of a lot right. This is a good team, anybody will tell you that. So we have a chance."

Do you agree with Clarke's optimism at this point in time? Comment below.