Joyce says a changing line-up has been a problem

Reading hockey captain Rhys Joyce says the club can still push for a play-off place in the EHL Premier Division despite their poor start to the season.

Reading are seventh in the league after winning only two of their opening seven games of the season.

Joyce told BBC Radio Berkshire: "Our number one objective now is to reach the play-offs.

"The pressure is on. It drives us to go back to the top and be up there by the end of the year," said the 32-year-old.

Reading lost 8-1 to league leaders East Grinstead last weekend and Joyce says he has been frustrated by their poor start.

"East Grinstead are a quality team. We had a bad day at the office but we didn't play well enough and it cost us.

"We're losing to teams we shouldn't be losing to so we feel bad and it's a struggle."

Reading have been without several key players this season as they were on international duty with England in the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

"Internationals make it difficult to prepare and inconsistency characterises our shape at the moment," added Joyce.

"Every week we have a slightly different team which hasn't been easy to manage."

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