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Noel Hunt praised for giving honest interview on lack of contact from Reading CEO and owner

Noel Hunt has been praised by fans for giving an honest interview on the lack of contact from Reading CEO Dayong Pang and owner Dai Yongge.

The 41 year old said that he was “privileged and honoured” after it was announced on Friday that he would take over from Ruben Selles, who left for Championship side Hull City, who waved goodbye to Tim Walter.

He only had less than 24 hours to prepare himself and his side in what played out to be a 1-1 draw against League One leaders Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, leaving Reading sitting 6th with 31 points from 18 games played while the Chairboys are on 40 points from the same amount of matches played.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind,” Hunt said to BBC Sport.

“I’m privileged and honoured to be in this position, and I know what I’ve got to do is give it everything that I’ve got.

“We have to take it game by game and try and get to those 50 points as fast as we can. That hasn’t changed from when Ruben (Selles) was here and it won’t change now.”

“I got a phone call asking what was I thinking, I had a really good chat with Ruben and then went back and said ‘yeah I’m all in’.”

Speaking after the game, following the game, he added that since being appointed, he hadn’t had any direct contact with owner Dai Yongge or chief executive Dayong Pang, and that it was the head of recruitment Brian Carey who made contact asking if he wanted to become their new manager.

Meanwhile, he said on the game itself, per Bucks Free Press: “I thought it was a tough game for us.

“I thought maybe every little decision went the way of the home team but that can happen, and you can feel a little hard done by.

“It was a tough condition to ref.

“It looked like a penalty to me [Sam Smith] and even the Chem [Campbell] had a case.

“We defended like warriors- their strong point is putting balls into the box.

“If you look at how many games they’ve won in the last four or five weeks, I thought we defended really well.”

Harvey Knibbs who levelled the scoreline on Saturday, revealed just how tough it was when Selles left the club, but the squad has faith in Hunt, who has had history with the Royals academy.

“It’s gutting (to lose Selles) with the form we’ve been in and the relationship we’ve built over the past 18 months,” Knibbs told BBC Sport.

“But this group’s felt adversity before and we all believe in Hunty and know his qualities.

“There was no time to feel sorry for ourselves, a new era began today and I thought we gave a great account of ourselves.”

Knibbs on his MCL sprain: “It’s painful to play on but I can get through it while it hopefully recovers.”

Here’s how fans reacted with Noel Hunt praised for giving an honest interview on the lack of contact from Reading CEO and owner..

@Cronesie: Of course not his fault, but so depressing to hear him talk about getting 50 points when we’re currently in a playoff position. Dreading the January window

@CazParker1871: Tbf Selles always talked safety first & he’d mentioned the 50 pts mark. I was very encouraged by yesterday. Shouldn’t be a surprise that this squad genuinely gives a shit. Thank god they do!

@CazParker1871: Decent performance & not 1 player gave up today- they all to a man put a shift in. I’d go as far as to say we edged it & deserved a 2‐1 win. Hopefully everyone keeps their heads, and we get near to 40 pts by Jan. Ref had a stinker though! Noel Hunt’s barmy army! #ReadingFC

@suemsymes02: I loved the fact there were so many coaches there today. It’s like @Noelhunt20 said..I need a bit of support, who’s up for it? And every @readingfc coach said yeah I’ll be there Noel. Count on me. This club! We fight on!

@Nozzzaaaa: I love how honest @Noelhunt20 is – it’s bloody refreshing and a first at Reading for a VERY long time. The man bleeds blue and white as do all of us – YES NOEL 💪🏼

@Nozzzaaaa: Well Done @Noelhunt20 and our entire team – you did us proud after a horrible week. Up the F*cking Ding 💪🏼 oh and please all stay come January 🙏🏻💙 #ReadingFC – @HarveyKnibbs @samtsmith_ @winglewy @charliesavage84 @ElgatoPereira1 @JaydenWareham @Yidsay & everyone else 💙

@longlaneroyal: Head of Recruitment has recruited a manager. Should we really be shocked?

@craigwhite1980: Who is making these decisions? Someone has offered noel a 3 year contract. Someone is gonna be agreeing to sell our players. Turn off all phones and ignore any contact from pissy pang and cunt yongge

@adamReadingFC: My gaffer.

@Readingfanman: Laughable that we have a ‘CEO’ who clearly is completely checked out as well yet still picking up a monthly salary. How has he not been made redundant too? 😂

@TalkReading: Nobody is stealing leaving more than Dayong Pang 👻 What a piece of shit he is. #readingfc

@B3rt1e: Well done to Noel Hunt and the @ReadingFC lads, great point away from home at the league leaders! 👍🏼 #readingfc

Jason Lee: got to say, fair play to Noel for this interview, coming out and saying that, made some rather sad admissions which just sums up the situation at the club right now. what a sh*tshow behind the scenes, and really hope they get themselves sorted soon. mad to think the efl’s so called fit and proper owners test approved these club killers

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