Reading's Ruben Selles on thrashing Carlisle United

The Royals thrashed Paul Simpson’s Blues 5-1 to move off the bottom of League One.

Three goals in 14 first-half minutes put Selles’ strugglers in command before two more strikes after the break.

It saw the Berkshire outfit land a serious blow on one of their bottom-four rivals.

Yet Selles felt his side can perform even better.

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“I think it was not our best game,” he said, “but we stuck in the game, the difficult moments we managed – and we know how dangerous we can be.

“I think we still have a way to go as a team and collective. In the last two games we’ve conceded soon after scoring, but also scored straight after.

“I think we can be more composed in these moments.

Reading's third goal deceives Tomas Holy (Image: Richard Parkes)

“Again, it was not the best beginning of the second half but we were strong in our second plays and in how we defended.

“And at the end we had control of the game.”

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Reading are now two points behind United, having had four deducted over financial troubles under owner Dai Yongge.

On the pitch, they have recorded back-to-back victories to give hope of a climb out of trouble.

Harvey Knibbs hit two after Sam Lavelle’s own goal, with Lewis Wing and Femi Azeez deepening United’s misery on the Blues’ first ever visit to the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Selles said he felt his side are growing in several respects.

“The only way to learn as a collective is by having bad moments – [but] we want those for a shorter period of time, and now I think we are getting that knowledge,” he told his club’s official channels.

“We know we have the quality, capacity, ability and team spirit to face every single situation.

“It proves the boys are growing as a team, they can play and win football matches.”

Reading’s encounters with Carlisle in the immediate future are not over, though – on Sunday they face an FA Cup second round tie against an Eastleigh side including Blues loan midfielder Jayden Harris.