Tony Pulis sends message to Ruben Selles and Shaun Maloney | OneFootball

Tony Pulis has heaped praise on Reading chief Ruben Selles and Wigan Athletic boss Shaun Maloney for the jobs they have done this season.

Reading and Wigan Athletic hit with points deductions this season

It has been a tough year for the Royals, as fans have been protesting all season as they look to force owner Dai Yongge out of the club.

His mismanagement had left the club in major trouble, with Reading hit with a points deduction last season that contributed to their relegation from the Championship.

Those issues have continued, and they’ve lost six points in total this season for various offences, the most recent which came in February after they failed to make agreed payments to HMRC on time.

Meanwhile, the Latics suffered an eight point penalty before a ball was kicked this season, which came about due to consistent late payment of wages under the previous regime.

Pleasingly for the club, Mike Danson has since taken over, and there is a lot more stability as they look to kick-on. Nevertheless, Maloney was still working with a side that were starting behind all of their rivals, but he managed to guide them up the table relatively quickly.

Ruben Selles and Shaun Maloney receive Tony Pulis praise

Not many managers will be in a position where they have to deal with points deductions in their entire career, but for Selles and Maloney, it’s something they’ve had to handle despite their inexperience as a head coach.

Pulis is a manager who has seen a lot over the years, with the 66-year-old having gone from working in the lower leagues where he would have to scrimp and save, to coaching in the Premier League and the riches that would bring.

Pulis was sympathetic to what Selles and Maloney have had to deal with, but he stressed the need to focus on football to the duo, as he urged them to make sure they are never distracted from the main aim of the job - which is to get three points for the club and the fans.

Pulis said: “My advice to managers of those clubs is to focus on winning games on a Saturday. If you get too wrapped up in stuff going on behind the scenes, it can distract you from winning matches and that's what matters most for the fans, the team and the town.

“I understand it's hard as cuts to the team affect their position but whatever hand you're dealt with, you've got to find a way to win on Saturday because you won't stay in a job if not, regardless of what's going on upstairs.

“Those two lads deserve a hell of a lot of credit for the jobs that they have done, regardless of how they have done it. Forget style, whether it's playing out from the back or going long from the goalkeeper, management is about finding a way to win.

“.”

Reading face Blackpool this weekend in their final game of the season, whilst Wigan host Bristol Rovers, as both clubs look to end this turbulent campaign on a high, as they then look ahead to what they hope will be brighter futures.