Goals from Pavel Pogrebnyak and Nathaniel Chalobah gave Reading all three points to make it four points from six over the past four days.

The win moves Reading up to 16th in the Championship, with an FA Cup Fifth Round spot also secured after last week's win at Cardiff.

Clarke said: “We took a little bit of stick for only getting a point in midweek but I said if we come here today and beat Sheffield Wednesday then it'll be a good week.

“I'm pleased with the performance and I'm pleased with the clean sheet.

“We attacked well. I've played three in midfield in the last couple of games away from home to try and tighten it up.

“I felt at home we should be more offensive so I chose Simon Cox over Oliver Norwood and we created some great chances.”

It should've been a bigger margin of victory for Reading but Garath McCleary's goal was wrongly ruled out for offside and Hal Robson-Kanu had his tame penalty saved by Kieren Westwood.

Clarke admitted it would've been a more comfortable 30 minutes for his nerves had either ended in a goal, but praised the resolve of his side to see the game out after the disappointment.

“If the penalty goes in then it makes it an easier afternoon,” reflected the Reading boss. “We showed a great resolve to see the game out 2-0 after the disappointment of the penalty and the disallowed goal.

“But that's part of building the character of the team so for me, it's a good day.

“You have to question why the referee didn't caution the player. I'm not calling for a red card as I don't think it was, but it's a foul in the box so there's got to be something.

“We're just looking for some consistency. As for the disallowed goal, McCleary was clearly onside.”

With just over 48 hours to go until the transfer window closes, Clarke was tight-lipped on whether Reading will do any business before Monday evening.

The Royals were linked to Danish striker Lasse Vibe yesterday, but Clarke refused to be drawn on the possibility of anyone arriving at the Madejski Stadium.

“It's just speculation,” said the Reading boss when quizzed about Vibe. “I'm not expecting to do that much business. If I can improve the squad and it's the right deal for the club then we'll look to do it.

“If we can't do any business and I have to go with what I had today then they showed they're a very competitive side.

“As I sit here now I honestly couldn't call what's going to happen.”