Published: Thursday, 24th July, 2008 08:00
Doyle backs Kitson over move
By Charles Watts
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Kevin Doyle understands Dave Kitson's reasons for leaving the club.
KEVIN Doyle admits the loss of strike partner Dave Kitson will be a blow for Reading but doesn’t blame the former Cambridge United man for heading back to the top flight.
Premier League newcomers Stoke City snapped up Kitson for a fee of £5.5 million at the end of last week bringing to an end his four year stint in Berkshire.
Doyle and Kitson, for the most part, were Steve Coppell’s preferred pairing up front and together the duo formed a formidable partnership which saw them net 36 times between them as the club won the Championship title in 2005/06.
“Of course he’ll be missed,” Doyle said. “He was here a couple of years before I came here and has scored a lot of goals so he’s bound to be missed.
“But he’s got a chance to go back to the Premier League and he’s taken it and you can’t blame him for that.”
One of the names who has been linked as a possible replacement for Kitson is 23-year-old Dave Mooney who currently plays at Doyle’s former club Cork City.
Reading are said to be preparing a bid of around £400,000 bid for the frontman who Steve Coppell watched score the winner in Cork’s 1-0 win at Drogheda United on Sunday.
Doyle said: “He came to Cork this year so I’ve never played with him or seen him play but from what I hear he’s a good player. If he does come I’m sure he’ll do fine.”
Reading flew to Sweden early yesterday morning for a three game tour as they continue their preparations for their Championship campaigns which kicks off on August 10.
It will be Doyle’s second tour to the Scandinavian country with Reading, the first of which came as the club prepared for their first crack at the Premier League.
While many complain about trips away, especially to play against lesser clubs, Doyle insists he enjoys the breaks as it gives the squad time to bond before the serious business of the league begins.
“I don’t mind the trips to be honest,” Doyle said. “I enjoyed Sweden before and I enjoyed Korea last year.
“They’re pretty relaxed, there’s not a whole lot to do but it’s nice to be in a different environment. It’s good to get away together and to concentrate on getting fit. I don’t think we worry too much over the results.
“You go away with your international teams and there’s a bit more pressure on the trips so you don’t enjoy it as much. But when you go away with your club like this before the season starts it’s a nice break.”
Once they return from Sweden next Wednesday Reading will have three days to prepare for their final friendly of the season against Aston Villa before the Championship begins a week later.
Doyle said: “Everyone is looking forward to it. We’re all disappointed with last year but I think we’ve got over that and we’re just excited about the new season like we are every year.
“There’s still some very good teams to play against and some very nice places to go. It will be our aim to go straight back up.
“I found it just as tough in the Championship as I did in the Premiership so it will be a very tough year and hopefully we’ve got the quality and the experience to do well.
“I think we do, I think we believe we do and that’s half the battle.”
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