Reading star Tom Ince believes he is thriving in his more experienced role with the club, including his words of wisdom on the pitch. 

A passionate player, the top scorer can be regularly seen exchanging words on the pitch with his teammates, sometimes very animated.

Speaking after scoring the winner against Swansea City, his 100th career goal, the former Blackpool and Derby County winger explained how it comes through passion and desire to win.

“As you get older, gain more experience and know the game… it’s a long time since I was the young tricky winger at Blackpool," he explained. "With experience, and the level that I’ve been able to play at and achieve, I feel like I can give my advice and guidance on the pitch.

“Sometimes that can come across a bit strong to my teammates – but that’s not a case of me feeling like I’m above anyone else. That’s just me having pure passion. I’ve always hated losing!

“And I always want to raise the standards for myself and my teammates around me, because we’ve got some good players in this team that can go up a level and get better and better. All they need is pushing."

Reading Chronicle:

Sitting in the top 10 and within range of the top three, Ince believes pundits have been unfair on the side this season.

"At the start of the season, we had eight players and ten triallists. We put together the team that we have done under a transfer embargo and not being able to spend money.

“The thing that defines us is spirit. You see that week in, week out – 100 per cent from every single player. There’s a sprinkling of quality in the team too. But we always show fight, determination, and when we recapped on the first half of the season, what an immense achievement from one of the favourites to go down."