Angry Reading fans surround team bus after goalless draw at relegation rivals Peterborough – as under-fire boss Veljko Paunovic refuses to discuss his future at Championship strugglers
- Reading drew 0-0 at relegation rivals Peterborough in the Championship
- Reading supporters surrounded the team bus post-match to vent their anger
- As reported by Sportsmail, Veljko Paunovic is close to being sacked as manager
The discontent between Reading’s supporters and their manager Veljko Paunovic was evident once more on Wednesday night following their goalless draw at Peterborough.
After the stalemate at their relegation rivals, fans of the Championship club surrounded their team bus to heap further pressure on Paunovic.
The draw ended a seven-game losing streak for the Royals, but many of their fanbase have had enough of Paunovic’s methods.
Reading supporters surrounded their first-team coach after their 0-0 draw at Peterborough
Fans are unhappy at the management of Veljko Paunovic with the club in relegation trouble
Speaking post-match, Paunovic, who would only answer questions on the game, said: ‘I stood up for the call to carry this project forward and I am doing my best.
‘We knew it was going to be hard with deductions and embargos, and we have had to deal with a lot of setbacks.
‘We are disappointed we didn’t get all three points because we were close, but our first clean sheet in a long time is a positive to build on.
‘Every single one of the players gave their best. There was a lot of people bleeding and exhausted, which tells you how much everyone cares and gives their best.
‘We showed grit – we showed something that maybe in the past was missing. The team fought very hard.
‘There was a maturity in our approach, especially in the first half when we dealt with a lot of pressure.
‘We had to be patient in the second half and that patience brought us situations in which we had opportunities.
‘I think the team needs unity, togetherness and support.’
Reading are close to sacking Paunovic after a woeful run of form, as detailed by Sportsmail
Angry Reading supporters stormed onto the pitch in protest following the defeat by Coventry
As revealed on Sunday by Sportsmail, Reading are on the verge of sacking the Serb – with their poor run of form now equating to just one win in 14 matches.
Reading fans stormed onto the pitch in protest after the 3-2 defeat by Coventry on Saturday.
There are also said to be a core of players who are disillusioned with the direction of the team under Paunovic. And Sportsmail understands coach’s job is in serious jeopardy.
Reading’s last victory came back on November 27 and their recent run of defeats began with a humiliating third round FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league Kidderminster.
Supporters attempted to confront Paunovic in the technical area following Saturday’s defeat to Coventry and called for his sacking, chanting ‘we want Pauno out.’
Reading are just above the Championship relegation zone and need to improve quickly