Young defender speaks after Cheltenham win
There was a lot riding on Tuesday night's game for Matty Carson, and not just because it marked the first league start of his professional career.
He had his own fan club cheering him on from the sidelines, who even managed to gain a new member in the form of Charlie Savage ahead of the game!
He said: "My old dig parents, who looked after me last season when I first came in, are massive Reading fans.
"They came down to wish me good luck, and give me a little present so it was lovely to see them."
He easily brushed off the pressure of his first league start, thanks in part to the Royals fans, and a first League One win of the season.
He said: "It is probably one of the best feelings I’ve had in football so far. It was brilliant making my debut here in front of the home fans.
"They got behind the lads, so it was even better to get the win. All the lads out there loved every minute of it, so everyone is buzzing with the win."
Carson, fresh off his league debut for the Royals against Port Vale on Saturday, came into the side as part of brand-new back-four, alongside Nelson Abbey, Tyler Bindon, and Amadou Mbengue. The average age of the defence? 20 years, 2 months, and 27 days.
Despite their youth, they all played with experience, each doing their bit to help Reading to not just a clean sheet, but a 1-0 win.
Of his defensive partners, he said: "Playing alongside Nelson makes everything a lot easier as I have played a few games with him already - he is quality.
"Tyler looks like he has played one hundred league games already. Amadou is the most experienced out of all of us, but we all pull our weight."
The left-back made his Reading debut in the 4-0 thrashing of Millwall last week, with the Cheltenham game proving to be a much closer game. However, this did not faze Carson, who believed it perfectly demonstrated the skillset of the younger squad.
He said: "It was really good to grind out the win, as we were put under the cosh a lot.
"I felt we dealt with it really maturely, especially for such a young back four.
"It was really good to grind out the win, as we were put under the cosh a lot. I felt we dealt with it really maturely, especially for such a young back four."
He also was full of praise for Rubén Sellés, despite the intensity he demands from his players.
Carson continued: "It can be a bit crazy! He wants a lot from you, a lot of running at a high intensity.
"But you can see out on the pitch the results that we get - we can create a lot of chances.
"He has been brilliant since he came in with me personally, and with a lot of the lads.
"Everyone is pulling in the right direction, so got to see where it keeps going."
Despite the euphoria of the whole evening, Carson is keen to keep grounded, and is already looking ahead to the visit of Stevenage on Saturday.
"We have got to keep working, and get ready for Saturday. We will get back into training on Thursday, and go from there."