Paul Ince sets challenge for Reading squad ahead of Millwall clash

Reading boss Paul Ince has challenged his squad to use their performance against Sheffield United on Tuesday night as a building block for Millwall this Saturday.

The Royals – 15th in the Championship table – lost 1-0 to automatic promotion hopefuls Sheffield United at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Tuesday night, with Iliman Ndiaye scoring the only goal of the game in the 60th minute.

Gary Rowett’s Millwall side head to Reading looking to get their play-off push back on track after a 3-2 defeat at home to Norwich on Saturday.

The Lions are seventh in the table and one point off the top six.

Reading won the reverse fixture at The Den 1-0 back in August thanks to Naby Sarr’s 14th-minute opener.

“Today there was a reaction – a bounce back,” former Manchester United and West Ham midfielder Ince told the club’s YouTube channel after the defeat to Paul Heckingbottom’s side.

“There was a performance today and you sensed that the majority of fans loved it.

“That’s what we need to do. When this crowd is behind us, we’re a completely different proposition. 

“We have got to build on it. There is no point playing this way against Sheffield United and not doing it against Millwall or the teams coming up.

“Fingers crossed we can do it on Saturday.

“Millwall have progressed since we beat them last time. They’re a different team than they were in the early part of the season.

“They’re fighting for the play-offs to get into the Premier League. It’s another tough one again.

“It’s obviously going to be a different game to what we had today, but it’s going to be another battle again.

“We have got 11 games where we have got to try and have this performance that we had today.

“If we do, we will be okay.”