Reading boss says his side ‘smashed’ Leeds United physically

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Leeds United have moved to the top of the Championship following late drama against Reading at the Madejski Stadium. A late goal from Jack Harrison proved enough for the Whites to take all three points despite a fairly tepid performance by their high standards. 

Indeed, the Reading manager Mark Bowen felt that Leeds were lucky to come away with all three points. 

Speaking to the official Reading YouTube account he suggested there was not much difference between the two sides.

“We’ve just seen a team there that are top of the league. Are they that much better than us?”

He also spoke of the physical aspect of the game, telling the Bracknell News that his side had ‘smashed’ Leeds United. 

“I think we’ve got a team which is really competitive, but we have got to make sure we are a squad that turns good, solid performances into points on the board.

“We smashed them in terms of physicality. My team are giving everything they’ve got in terms of effort and desire.”

TBR’s View

Clearly, Leeds United fans will disagree with the assessment from the Reading boss, who certainly did not seem to take the late defeat well.

Whilst it was not Leeds’ best performance, it was tough against a Reading side clearly set up not to lose at home. Physicality can certainly mean a lot of things and Bowen appears to be talking about strength and old-fashioned strongarm tackling. Leeds have their own physicality, including their incredible fitness that allows them to be such a threat late into games.

In the end, Leeds deserved the goal because of their drive and perseverance late into the game and Reading’s boss appears bitter due to the late timing of the goal.