As promising as the second half performance was for North End, Billy Bodin labelled their first 45 minutes ‘sloppy’ as PNE were beaten by a single goal at the Madejski this afternoon.
Speaking to iFollowPNE after the game, Billy spoke of the frustration in amongst the dressing room post-match with the Lilywhites returning to Preston empty handed.
“The lads are very disappointed in the changing rooms,” said North End’s No. 39 after the final whistle.
“We were probably the better team; in the first half we were probably a bit sloppy and the goal kills us a little bit. We had a few half chances before that and we were just a bit unlucky too be honest.
“We had enough of the ball and chances to win the game clearly in the end. It happens in football and you have to keep trying what the manager wants you to do. First half we did that well at times and we created chances but the goal killed us a little bit and the confidence was a bit down but in the second half we bounced back but the chances weren’t going in. On another day it could have been three or four and we’re just a bit unlucky today.”
Today’s game was all about fine margins with Mo Barrow registering Reading’s only shot on target with his goal on 12 minutes, and Billy admits he’s had to become accustomed to that since making the January switch up the leagues.
“That’s one of the main things when I came in January about the Championship," continued Bodin. "In other leagues you might make a mistake and the players aren’t as good to punish you. This league is full of great players; Ben’s (Davies) obviously been caught down the left hand side and they score from it and that killed us at the time. At the time we were doing quite well but the goal went in and the heads may have dropped but the amount of chances we had, we should have won the game.
“They couldn’t get out of their half at one point - we must have put in about 20 crosses today. We hit the bar a couple of times and there was a few that flashed past the post. On another day we could have had three or four but we’ve just got to move on now and move on to Tuesday - hopefully get a good result and who knows where we’ll be end of the season."
For more reaction from Billy, head to iFollowPNE now.