GEORGE EVANS insists Reading are yet to give up on their hopes of finishing in the top two, despite falling 10 points behind yesterday.
A run of six games unbeaten gave the Royals realistic hope of breaking into the Championship’s automatic promotion places, but defeats at both Huddersfield Town and Brighton and Hove Albion this week leaves Jaap Stam’s men down in fifth.
REPORT: Royals outclassed at the Amex
But Evans is refusing to throw in the towel just yet.
“We’re never going to stop believing that we can get in the top two,” said the midfielder.
“We’re always going to fight and give 100%, believe and why not?
“We can go into every game believing we’re going to get the three points. We can go and prepare all week now and look forward to the Wolves game and go and get a result there.”
Royals matched the Seagulls during the opening stages but fell behind to a brilliant Sam Baldock goal.
But the game got away from the visitors in a two-minute spell where Danny Williams saw a header cleared off the line before Brighton went down the other end and moved 2-0 up through Jamie Murphy’s strike.
Anthony Knockaert sealed the 3-0 win late on and Evans says there is plenty to work on at both ends of the pitch.
“I thought we started off the game well,” he said.
“We got into our rhythm and played some good football at times and created some good chances.
“But it was just three counter-attacking goals that we obviously need to learn from.”
“We’ll look at the clips. Tactical fouls are part of the game, definitely.
“We’ll have a look back and see how we can improve but that’s definitely one way to deal
with it.”
REACTION: Stam frustrated at giving away “easy” goals
Defeat sees Reading fall to fifth, 10 points off second placed Newcastle United but still seven clear of seventh place with 12 games to play.
And Evans, who returned to the starting 11 after dropping to the bench for the last two, insists his side are not feeling the pressure.
“Not at all,” he said.
“We’ve had two very tough games in Huddersfield and Brighton and I think we played quite well in both.
“It’s been a great season for us so far with the position we’re in.
“We’re always looking to improve – the coaching staff, the players, everyone has got the whole work ethic to go and improve.
“We don’t want to step off the pedal now and that definitely won’t happen.”
