Sam Hutchinson: Reading plight 'difficult to take', says Royals midfielder
- Published
Sam Hutchinson, 34, came through the ranks at Chelsea before making nearly 200 appearances across three spells with Sheffield Wednesday
Midfielder Sam Hutchinson says beleaguered Reading's current predicament is "difficult to take".
The Royals led 2-0 at Shrewsbury on Saturday but lost 3-2 after two stoppage-time goals and stay bottom of League One, now 10 points from safety.
In a passionate interview with BBC Radio Berkshire, "angry" Hutchinson said: "There is stuff going on at this club that not everyone is privy to.
"The boys are trying - when people want to slate you, it is difficult to take."
The defeat was an 11th in a row on their travels in the league, eight of them coming since Reading's relegation from the Championship last season. Their last away win was on 12 November 2022, going 20 matches without victory since then.
While hopes are high that the club might be sold sooner rather than later, pressure is mounting on boss Ruben Selles, though Hutchinson says the squad are 100% behind him.
He added: "We're a young group, we're inexperienced, we're trying our hardest but we are going against the tide. Nobody wants to hear that, but that is actually what's happening. We don't go out there to lose.
"We don't help ourselves. We can make all the excuses in the world, we are not good enough as a team or as a club. You're angry, I'm angry, the fans are angry. You can apologise until you're blue in the face and sit in the changing room and speak, but it doesn't help.
"You have to get on the pitch and have some experience and know-how, do the basics and win ugly. Unfortunately we aren't doing it and we get punished week in, week out.
"There are so many problems at this club. Everyone is trying to do their best by it, the fans, us as players, the staff, the management. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say it's not good enough - all of us.
"I have been in this game a long time, I know what I would change, but that's not up to me, I am not the manager. I am just a number."