Paul Ince's message to Reading FC critics after in-form Royals break into Championship top six

Reading FC manager Paul Ince has sent a firm message to his side's critics as the Berkshire outfit climbed into the Championship's top six following their 1-0 home win over Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Tyrese Fornah's first half strike was enough to secure a third home league win in a row for Ince's men having beaten Blackburn Rovers 3-0 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Wednesday evening and Cardiff City earlier in the month.

However, prior to two home wins in four days, the Royals had been battered 4-0 away at newly-promoted Rotherham United, sparking criticism of Reading and their manager.

Moreover, there had been doubts regarding Reading before a ball had been kicked with Ince not managing a club full-time since January 2014 whilst being under a transfer embargo since July 2021 for breaching profit and sustainability rules.

Following the victory over Boro, Ince made his feelings known, telling BBC Radio Berkshire: "People need to start giving us credit. It was an amazing performance.

"After Wednesday you hear all these people say 'Blackburn were terrible,' but they need to start giving us credit. I hear it again [with] 'Middlesbrough didn't really show up, they weren't great' - we made them look average and we need to start getting credit for our performances. We were amazing, just in a different way."

Royals now sit third in the Championship with nine points from their opening five matches, level with second place Watford and a point behind early pace setters Sheffield United.