Reading manager Liam Gilbert says that his side have prepared well for the challenge posed by latest opponents Charlton Athletic.
The two sides meet at the Select Car Leasing Stadium this evening. Both Reading and Charlton Athletic go into the match with one point after recording score draws in Gameweek 1.
There were changes at both clubs over the summer and there is plenty to work on from the opening day performances. When speaking in the pre-match press conference, Reading boss Gilbert said that the two teams will be looking to build on last weekend’s foundations and that The Royals have prepared well for their latest fixture.
“We know they have got very good individuals and from last week, we know how they set up and play,” Gilbert said.
“With the first game of the season, there are always nerves, different types of energy that you’ll see and experience. I think there will be things that they will look to work on and tidy up that we may have noticed and the same for them looking at us.
“We’ve put a game plan together that we think will be effective and there are some areas where we think our super-strengths will be a benefit for us. We feel that we have put ourselves in a very good position and hopefully, the performance and result will echo that.”
Reading looked set to claim three points at Crystal Palace on opening day, however, they were denied by an equalising goal in the 12th minute of second half stoppage time. Gilbert took the positives from that performance and he hopes to see week-on-week growth from his side.
He said “It really does (feel like we have some momentum). It would be easy to be deflated after last week but things haven’t been streamlined and it’s not been straightforward. The fact that we could put in a positive performance; we were able to see some of the principles that we are trying to install on the training pitch in the game.
“We were really happy after the game. It is going to be a process week-by-week for us of how we develop, how we move forward and how we support a very young group.”
Since arriving at the club last month, Gilbert has brought in three new players. He is not done in the transfer window yet and his team will evolve over time.
“We have two weeks left in the transfer window and we will look to add a couple of bits and pieces because we need to add some depth and competition,” Gilbert said.
“As a coaching staff, it will take a little bit of time to embed our philosophy and style of play. At least for the first couple of months of the season, it is going to be a work-in-progress in terms of getting to where we want to be.
“It has been really pleasing for us because there are a lot of things that we have asked of the girls that they’ve made an effort to do straight away.
“Our identity will be different compared to what the club has been like in the past because of the nature of the league and our personnel. It is a transitional process in a good way where you will hopefully see the benefits in a couple of months.”
Reading’s Barclays Women’s Championship fixture against Charlton Athletic kicks-off at 5.15pm. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.