Reading goalkeeper Joe Lumley admits he needs to stop picking up yellow cards, but feels it is worth it to secure a win for the side.

Lumley, on loan from Middlesbrough, has made himself a fan favourite for his antics in slowing down the clock, or time-wasting to some.

From knocking the ball back out of play to moving the position of a goal kick, the 27-year-old has done it all so far this season.

With six clean sheets to his name, already one more than the side picked up across the whole of last season, the club are used to running down the clock in order to see out games.

Eight of their 11 wins so far have come by the odd goal, with another four draws seeing the Royals protect points.

The Boro stopper has already conceded more this campaign than he did in 34 appearances for the Teessiders last year, and is halfway to last years tally of 12 clean sheets.

However, he has picked up double the amount of bookings, with the former QPR keeper on four for the season so far.

Reading Chronicle:

Speaking on his antics, the London-born goalie said: "It’s just managing the game and trying to help the lads out. Ut might not just be time-wasting to kill the game, it might be just slowing the game down a bit on an away game to quieten the crowd down or we might be under the cosh so I have to slow it down. Sometimes I do it on purpose and sometimes I get a yellow card for absolutely no reason.

"I feel like I’m quite good at it. Managing the game, I’ve always been quite good at, even growing up and playing outfield for the school I used to be good at managing the game. It’s a strong part of my game. I’m not proud of the yellows and I do have to keep them down, but sometimes a yellow- to get three points- you’d take all day long."