Mike Dodds, the Wycombe Wanderers manager, has applauded Reading manager Noel Hunt for’sticking to his convictions’ ahead of this afternoon’s Berks-Bucks Derby.
Almost 1,900 Royals fans will travel to Adams Park to face the Chairboys, with both teams trailing by one point from a possible 12.
Last season’s lost play-off semi-finalists were defeated late on Tuesday by Exeter City, while Reading salvaged a point against Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday to get their season underway.
Dodds praised the Royals, particularly Noel Hunt, ahead of tomorrow’s highly anticipated clash in HP12.
“I would put them in the same boat as us; they have probably not received the points or results that they have earned,” the former Sunderland boss told the club. “Noel has adhered to his ideals, morals, and views about how he wants his squad to play, and they have not changed, and I have complete respect for that.
“It will be a challenging game regardless of whether it is a local derby or who has points on the board; there are no easy games in this league. There are many different types to contend with, and they will be encouraged by the fact that they have a point on the board.
“It [Bolton] is a really difficult place to go- Bolton will be a very good team this year and you can see what they’re trying to do- so they will be buoyant from the fact they have their first point on the board at a really difficult place to get a point.”
Hunt’s first match in permanent control of the club was a 1-1 draw with Wycombe Wanderers in December 2024, while the Royals defeated Saturday’s opponents 1-0 in the reverse fixture in Berkshire thanks to Harvey Knibb’s late penalty.
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