Sheffield Wednesday: Opening goal was the killer, says Jack Hunt after defeat to Reading FC

Sheffield Wednesday defender Jack Hunt admitted that Reading's tactics didn't come as much of a shock to the Owls but it was the early goal that set up a night of frustration.
Jack Hunt holds off Reading's Danny WilliamsJack Hunt holds off Reading's Danny Williams
Jack Hunt holds off Reading's Danny Williams

Once the Royals went in front through Yann Kermorgant, after just 13 minutes, Jaap Stam's side set about about closing up, denying space for Wednesday and holding onto the ball with their typical possession-based style of play.

It led to a frustrating night for Hunt and his team mates and although they done their homework on Reading, Hunt conceded that going behind early in the match proved to be the key factor on the night, with Adrian Popa going on to score the second on a breakaway after Keiren Westwood had gone up for a corner in injury time.

Jordan Rhodes was denied on a couple of occasions by Reading keeper Ali Al HabsiJordan Rhodes was denied on a couple of occasions by Reading keeper Ali Al Habsi
Jordan Rhodes was denied on a couple of occasions by Reading keeper Ali Al Habsi
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"We know they play football they are a good passing team," he said. "We'd been watching videos all week so we weren't surprised by what was coming but they got the first goal and in this league we know that's vital."

Like Carlos Carvalhal, Hunt also praised the performance of Reading stopper Ali Al Habsi who pulled of a string of world-class saves to keep Wednesday at bay.

The Owls head coach said "We played against a goalkeeper with a big inspiration tonight. It was one of the problems of the game."

And Hunt added to that by describing the stops as 'worldies'."The first half we weren't at our best but I thought we gave it a good go in the second half without really too much quality," he said. "You know that at the time and how things are going, you need a bit of luck and the keeper has pulled off three or four worldies and they got the second on the counter."

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