Matthew Mills made his first League appearance for the Royals in our 0-0 draw at Swansea, and he was pleased to help his new team pick up a point.
It was a tough game, and our defenders had to have their wits about them at all times against a lively Swans attack.
Mills said, "Swansea are known for keeping the ball so it was good to keep a clean sheet. As a team we thought we could have created more, I had a header cleared off the line by one of our own players and we could have nicked it on the breakaway. But a point was fair and if you don't play at your best but pick up a point it's a sign of a good side.
"Its always hard for your first 90 minutes, but I was buzzing to do that in the League and a clean sheet is a positive. Hopefully though there is more to come. I thought at times Pearcey and I connected well and and at times we didn't but you will get that in your first game with new players. With more experience, positive things can come from that."
Mills played well, and put in a couple of very important blocks in the second half as he showed good positional sense. "As a defender you thrive on those kind of blocks. The 'keeper made some fantastic saves and we dug in to grind out a result."
The Royals are looking for their first goal of the season, but Matthew knows from experience that new teams take time to gel. "I had a similar scenario last season when playing in a young side. With less naivety we can impose ourselves.
"The biggest thing tonight was that we came through some real pressure. We could look each other in the eye and trust each other and that is very important."
Boss Brendan Rodgers was happy with his debutant's display, and predicted he will continue to improve. He said, "Matt is an outstanding prospect. He's still some way off fitness, and the only way he's going to get it is by training and playing games.
"That was a tough game for him, Swansea move the ball around so he has to move. He's only had one 90 minutes since May and that was the Burton game. He's regaining fitness but he has outstanding qualities and he's one for the longer vision of what I'm trying to do."
