Reading came from behind to beat Rotherham United 2-1.

Here is every word from boss Paul Ince.

Ince on deserving the win

I don’t know. It was one of those games. People have to understand that we had such a long journey up to Sunderland and back. I sensed the fans frustration but there has to be an understanding of what the players are trying to do with such a misfit team. It’s tough because the last team you want to play is one like Rotherham, who go direct and do the basics well. I thought the first half we started well and for some reason we came off it and played into their hands. It was a scrappy game, a bit like the Preston game a few months back. We looked tired and jaded, all the things you don’t want as a manager. We give a needless foul away and don’t pick up our man. Nobody deserved to be winning the game so I was disappointed going in at half-time.

Ince on half-time changes

The shape made a difference, something we haven’t done. I felt we needed to get up the park more. Having Thomas and Femi- or it could have been Yakou- you have wingers who can take you up the park. I knew they would get tired as they played on the Saturday. I knew once we got the first goal, our crowd came alive, and we could sense that we all started to believe again. It was a lovely header. It’s one of those where I want to go and win it, but I don’t want to go and lose it. To go and win in the 90th minute is always a bonus.

Ince on unchanged team

No. If you keep chopping and changing then you won’t get any continuity. Mikel Arteta has named the same side the whole season and they’re top of the table. You’re not going to get any consistency if you keep chopping and changing. At Sunderland I thought we played okay, made a mistake, and lost a point. What’s good is that now there are people knocking on the door to say I’m here. That’s what we want. It’s great that they came on and made an impact. Sometimes you bring subs on and they don’t make an impact- then someone says ‘what did you bring him on for, you should have brought him on.’ It’s all great once it happens. They train hard, they don’t moan and there’s no egos about them. It’s one of those where you settle for the point, get the win and you take it.

Ince on first win of 2023

I don’t get sucked into that. We all want to win but I look at the games. QPR we should have won, Watford we should have lost. For me it’s all about collating points to where we want to get to. As a manager, especially at home, we have to win games. There’s no better way of winning games than in the 90th minute. We, at this club, have to get through this season. We will have some good times and some bad times- tonight was a good time.

Ince on Liam Moore

He's had another setback, and I think that could be Liam Moore for the rest of the season, which is devastating news. We’re not sure what the injury is yet but it’s not looking good for him. If anyone has tried so hard to get back on the pitch, it’s him. I’ve never seen a professional football do anything and everything to get back and play for this football club. It’s sad news but hopefully he can let his body rest and go again next year.