Mike Newells View

After the game, Mike Newell told the club’s official website: ‘I felt we could beat them but I didn’t want to say anything because I said something similar when we played at Reading earlier in the season and it backfired on us.

‘However I know we are capable, if we play decent football, of beating anybody at Kenilworth Road and I just felt Reading would lose one before the end of the season.

‘We are capable of scoring goals at home. Someone told me that we are one of the highest scoring teams at home, which is some achievement, but unfortunately we have conceded a lot.

‘We take no extra pleasure just because it has broken Reading’s unbeaten record because we only get three points from it, but it does mean a lot to us because they are the best side in the division.

‘The start couldn’t have been worse, it was only 20 seconds or something like that, but it shows what the lads are made of. The lads showed spirit, but the quality of the goals was also pleasing because they were proper footballing goals.

‘We should have finished Cardiff off in midweek so I was a bit nervous at the end there, especially when they put four minutes up for added on time.

‘But there’s not a lot you can do then; we had all three substitutes on the field and you just have to hope the lads can see the game out.’


Vine’s brace saw the striker hit four goals in the space of three days after two during the midweek draw with Cardiff City.

Newell continued:’Rowan is looking very sharp, which he has been for the last month or so. We know he has got quality and ability and he has formed a decent partnership with Steve Howard.

‘Howie is stuck on 99 goals for Luton but if he can keep playing the way he has played tonight then I will be more than happy.’

Regarding the players’ decision to fine double goalscorer Rowan Vine for arriving late for the match, Newell concluded: ‘I don’t fine the players but if someone t