Clapham: Reading Are A Good Team

Last updated : 22 October 2002 By Rob Cooper
Derby's Chris Riggott attempts to tackle Jamie Clapham
Derby's Chris Riggott puts his foot in to tackle Jamie Clapham of Ipswich
Despite seeing his side slump to another Nationwide League defeat Clapham couldn't help but marvel at the excellent Royals performance.

Nicky Forster struck three times for Reading as they overpowered Ipswich, a side relegated from the Premiership just last season, by three goals to one.

The 27-year-old former Town player of the year told eveningstar.co.uk: "Reading are a good team, especially at home. It was another very disappointing result. But we got into some better positions at the start of the second half and we have to take heart from that.

"The Royals kept possession well and sucked us in a bit. They are a side a little like we were not so long ago."

Despite finsing themselves two goals down at half time Clapoham feels that had it not been for the sending off of Spaniard Pablo Counago his side could have staged a remarkable comeback.

He added: "At the start of the second half we began to get on top of our game and got a goal back, but the sending off incident stopped us going forward and then they scored their third.

"We badly need to get a bit of consistency into our season and I'm sure we will before too long."