Competition for places 'only a good thing' - O'Connor

Reading defender Paudie O'Connor has said that it "is only a good thing" that the club are busy in the transfer market this January.

In years gone past the Royals have been restricted by transfer embargoes and were unable to add to their group, but under Rob Couhig's ownership they have already signed four players this window, two permanent and two loans.

Three of those four signings have been defenders, with Haydon Roberts, Benn Ward and Ryan Nyambe strengthening their options at the back.

"I think we'd probably all agree we were a bit light at the start [of the season], if we're being honest," O'Connor told BBC Radio Berkshire.

"If we want to really challenge for those top-six places in the league you need a squad especially at League One level, there's a lot of games and it's tough on the body.

"That competition can only be a good thing, it can drive competitiveness, it can drive training and it can obviously bring performances out within yourself.

"With a few bodies coming back and a couple of new boys coming in it'll make us nice and solid for the rest of the season."

Tuesday night's draw against Exeter leaves Reading 13th in the League One table, eight points off the play-off places.

O'Connor was on the scoresheet against the Grecians, side-footing the ball into the net on the volley from a Lewis Wing free-kick.

With 19 league games left, O'Connor is confident the defensive reinforcements alongside the experienced players already at the club will only be a benefit in their hunt for the play-offs.

"For those experienced boys out there in the squad it's time to obviously stand up," he added.

"We have to put those results back to back that we know there's enough quality in this dressing room to go and do.

"It's down to us there's no one else that's going to hand it to us, we have to grab the games by the scruff of the neck and make sure it happens."

Reading now have three away matches in a row with trips to Northampton Town, AFC Wimbledon and Wigan Athletic.