Published: Thursday, 3rd July, 2008 3:12pm

Skipper still smarting after drop

by Anthony Smith

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Hurting: Reading captain Graeme Murty says time has failed to heal the pain of relegation.

ROYALS skipper Graeme Murty is still fuming almost two months after the club's relegation from the Premier League.

Murty has revealed that time has failed to heal the scars left by last season's massive disappointment of going down on goal difference.

But the 33-year-old full-back is determined to turn those frustrations into positive energy as he joins up with his team-mates for the start of pre-season training today (Thursday).

"Some people may want to forget about last season which is understandable," he said. "Personally, I'm still extremely angry and upset about it.

"I think about it a lot because we all want to be back up there in the Premier League. But the fact is we're not and I'm sure there are others who feel the same as I do.

"However, if we can channel that anger in a constructive way and use it to help us next season then it can be a positive thing.

"The manager will want us to show him how much we want to get back there. From my point of view, I'm desperate to get on with the job and the lads have to show the same attitude and pull in the same direction."

Several of Reading's key players are being linked with moves back to the top-flight and Murty accepts it is inevitable that some will leave before the season starts.

He also has little sympathy for those wantaway players whose transfers may never materialise.

"Some players are going to be disappointed because they haven't got a big move to another club," he suggested. "Well, that's just tough.

"Now it's down to the rest of us to convince them that there is value in still being here at Reading and that perhaps the only way they are going to get back into the Premiership is with Reading.

"Hopefully we can all help to develop that attitude because we have a tough battle ahead.

"If anyone thinks it is going to be a breeze they are wrong. We need to show intensity and that we're ready to go from the start.

"It's a different challenge for us. We've always been the underdogs but not any more."

And he added: "If players want to stay they will stay, it's as simple as that. The managers will be able to tell that from their reaction in pre-season.

"If a big club comes along and entices someone away then there's nothing we can really do.

"There will always be speculation, it's par for the course. What's important is that we prepare for the season in the right way and ignore everything else."