Reading defender Harlee Dean has hailed the 'unbelievable' job done by manager Ruben Selles.

The 33-year-old is vastly experienced in the EFL, particularly with Brentford and Birmingham City, but has only managed 25 appearances for the club in almost 18 months as a Royal.

An older head in a youthful dressing room, Dean is one who has seen a lot in football- but even he was shocked at the state he found the club in when moving from St Andrew's in 2023.

This was following relegation to League One and in a summer where controversial owner Dai Yongge failed to pay staff and the government on time and a period whereby protests from supporters, which have raged on for over a year, started.

"I didn’t know it was as bad as this," he told the popular Under the Cosh podcast. "Out of the frying pan and into the fire. When we did it, we knew that there were problems, but we were told it was about to be resolved- they definitely weren’t about to be resolved.

"I’d been at Blues for years; Reading is in a far worse position than Blues is off the pitch. We always got paid at Blues, there have been times where we haven’t been paid at Reading, or late or you had £1 in at 12 and the rest at whatever other time. The amount of people made redundant- there’s no staff.

"Reading’s training ground is incredible, it’s the best I’ve ever seen. Last year we had no chefs so after training was prepped food that you chuck in a microwave. No overnight travel."

Despite being hit with points deductions, the Royals rallied to finish 17th despite sitting as far adrift as 10 points in November 2023.

Now, in November 2024, the club are sat in the top 10 and only outside the play-offs on goal difference.

"If it wasn’t for the manager- he’s done an unbelievable job because he’s just used kids from the Academy. It doesn’t matter how old you are.

"His style of play is counter-pressing- it’s just high-speed running. Having young lads that will just run is perfect for him and it’s really worked. You’ve got some good players among that; Lewis Wing is unbelievably technically. We’ve got some young lads who can score goals and they’re doing alright this year.

"It was unbelievable to stay up last year after all the club went through."

With Amadou Mbengue injured and suspended for tonight's trip to Barnsley, the defender could make his first league start of the season Oakwell.