Reading boss Brendan Rodgers asked for his club's fans to be patient after seeing their side go down 3-1 at home to Sheffield United.
Royals boss still looking for first win
Reading boss Brendan Rodgers asked for his club's fans to be patient after seeing their side go down 3-1 at home to Sheffield United.
The Royals have yet to win a league game under Rodgers as they again came up short, this time against The Blades.
Matthew Mills' opener was cancelled out by Stephen Quinn before goals from Jamie Ward and David Cotterill sealed the win which leaves Reading without a home win since January and their fans frustrated at a lack of investment in the team.
The Royals have raised around £12million this summer through the sales of Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt and Andre Bikey but have spent less than £2million on Doncaster defender Matthew Mills and the Madejski Stadium was ringing to the chant of "Where's the money gone?" at full-time.
Rodgers said: "I understand the fans' frustrations. They want to see their team winning and have just come to an end of a five-year cycle which brought much success.
"They know we need some players in and we will do that. This is early stages of an exciting project and you saw young players control a game here against a side who will be there or thereabouts this year.
"The situation within the club is that all that money is not available to me but I can't argue against the principles of this club because it has been run very well for 20 years.
"We are going through pain with the young players but it will pay off later on."
Smith hope
Rodgers remains hopeful of signing forward Tommy Smith from his former club Watford before the end of the month but has been left in limbo after the Hornets blocked a move.
Blackwell had a £1.8million bid for Smith accepted earlier in the summer and despite matching that fee Rodgers has so far failed to reach a similar agreement.
He said: "Tommy's situation is that we have offered the exact same deal in every way as Sheffield United but that was turned down.
"We are looking at that but we need to move on to other targets and we are doing that.
"I haven't given up on him but the reality is our offer has been turned down and United's was accepted. That is up to the clubs to decide now."
Pleased
United boss Kevin Blackwell was delighted with the three points, which he felt his side deserved.
"We created some lovely goals and we looked a good side at times. It could have been five or six. Apart from a 20-minute spell when Reading scored we were dominant.
"We were pipped last season but the players have shown a terrific response so far and are keen to make it this time.
"They could have felt sorry for themselves after last season but have shown real tenacity. Again we went behind here but we moved on and earned the win.
"If anyone can nominate the winner of the Championship now they are a better man than me. It's there for anyone to take and it will be a very exciting season."
