Harlee Dean, a Reading defender, claimed he felt like a “glorified cheerleader” after going 14 months without a league start.
The 33-year-old was signed in the summer of 2023 but did not appear in League One after October, as he was one of a few seasoned pros dismissed by Ruben Selles in preference of a younger squad.
Dean, who continues to play in cup games and off the bench, had his first start in over a year on New Year’s Day, replacing an ailing Amadou Mbengue less than an hour before kickoff.
Dean earned a lot of praise from fans for his Man of the Match performance in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Charlton Athletic, as the defender began consecutive league games under new manager Noel Hunt.
Speaking to the media following his remarkable performance, in which he saved a goal on the line, Dean said: “I was lucky to get my chance against Cambridge because Amadou was ill, and that’s how football works- you don’t always get what you deserve. You have to be prepared, and I believe I stepped up against Cambridge and did well. I was relieved it was my shirt to lose after that because I believe I would have been kicked out and left on the sidelines otherwise.
“I’m here to play football, particularly with the group, and I bring a lot to the group. I don’t want to be a glorified cheerleader, which I thought I had been for a while. It has been challenging, and I have only started two league games in 14 months, so there is still a long way to go, and it is up to me to perform.”
This came as skipper Lewis Wing praised the former Championship mainstay at Cambridge, admitting he was surprised Dean played so little minutes for the club.
After a week off, the Royals return to play on Saturday when Championship promotion contenders visit in the FA Cup.
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