READING FC manager Rubebn Selles saw plenty of reasons to be positive despite suffering defeat on the opening day of the League One season.
The Royals were beaten narrowly by Peterborough United as Selles took charge for the first time at the SCL.
“We don’t like the defeat, we don’t like to lose. We don’t like that feeling,” said Selles.
“Having a challenging summer, we showed today we are a good team. We need to use this game as a booster to help us in the identity we want to find. We had some good moments in the game.
“The first 30-35 minutes we were very intense and knew what to do. We were playing against a very good team with good front players that can cause you damage.
“We conceded the goal and we need to be better with defending crosses. We were a bit too deep in defence and rearranged that in the second half to be higher.
“When you’re chasing the game you can concede chances but we created chances to score as well.
“We had a team that could create situations and defend high. Hopefully we will see more and more and more with a better end product.”
Selles confirmed that striker Sam Smith is set for a spell on the sidelines, while new signing Harlee Dean could be in contention for next week.
He continued: “Sam (Smith) is going to be out for around six weeks. He had a new scan and there was some blood there so he will be out for the first six weeks.
“Harlee Dean had his medical yesterday morning and didn’t feel so well. He didn’t join us because he was sick. Hopefully he will join us tomorrow.”
