Published: Thursday, 7th August, 2008 15:00
Murty: `Championship most competitive for years.'
By Anthony Smith
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Toil and sweat: Graeme Murty is back in training after suffering a calf strain which will force him to miss the start of the season.
GRAEME Murty has suggested that up to a dozen Championship clubs have a realistic chance of securing promotion this season.
The Reading captain, celebrating his testimonial season, is convinced the division is the strongest and most competitive it has been in years.
And he expects the gap between those and the top and the bottom to be smaller than ever with sides from both ends of the table beating each other on a regular basis.
Murty, who will miss the start of the new campaign with a calf injury, argued: “There are some strong teams in the Championship this year. When you look at our opponents you sense that if we take anything for granted we will come unstuck.
“Last season clubs like Bristol City and Doncaster surprised people with what they achieved. Then we saw Hull City promoted to the Premier League so anyone can beat anyone on the day at this level.
“That especially looks to be true of this season. There’s not much between the top sides at all and there are clubs, including us, capable of going on fantastic runs.
“But if anyone says they know who is going to win the Championship, they’re a liar. There is no way of telling. It could be any one of up to 10 or 12 teams and I mean that.”
He added: “There are some big clubs around with a history of playing in the top divisions and they will all be going for it.
“Obviously we are one of the favourites people are mentioning along with Birmingham and Derby who were also relegated. But clubs like Nottingham Forest, Wolves, the two Sheffield clubs and Charlton have all spent money and it’s going to be extremely tight.
“But as long as we’re in the mix I am sure our strength of character will take us through.”
Manager Steve Coppell has admitted his biggest concern is the mentality of the players and whether they still possess the motivation required to win promotion.
The scars of relegation from the Premier League are beginning to heal but Royals have already lost some of their most influential players to top-flight clubs and more could follow before the close of the transfer window on September 1.
“We have to approach every game as though we’re playing Manchester United,” insisted Murty. “We must have that intensity about us. When we do we are a different proposition.
“We’ve become a bit of victim about our own fame in the past couple of seasons so we’re going to be a target this year. Now we have to cope with a different level of expectation.
“Going to these Championship venues won’t be the same as last season but you have to have the same focus and drive. If we take these teams lightly we are going to come unstuck.
“I can’t see the manager allowing that to happen, and the same goes for the players.”
Royals slipped under the radar three season ago when they clinched the Championship title with a record 106 points that may never be beaten.
But Murty warned: “What happened three years ago is done and gone. We can learn from it but we will never replicate that season.
“However, this team has the potential to look at the 106 points we got as a target. If we concern ourselves with our performances then the points will come, as they did when we were promoted.
“I think we’ve got the right man in charge to keep our feet on the floor and make sure our focus remains on the next game and nothing else.
“If we control ourselves and our expectations I believe we can do something really good again this year.
“We’re in a strong position. Financially we’ve never been healthier and I think we have a great chance of going back up if we can perform to expectations, have the right mentality and a little bit of luck.
“It’s going to be a long hard season and we have to make sure we stick together collectively so we need the fans on board as well. The only way to achieve that is to perform properly on the pitch.”
Meanwhile, Reading face losing more of their senior players before Sunday’s big kick-off at Nottingham Forest. Nicky Shorey will almost certainly be gone and speculation continues to surround Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle and James Harper.
“Credit to the players who have come under speculation,” stated Murty. “They came into pre-season in the right frame of mind, they’ve been extremely professional and considerate to their fellow pros.
“They’ve put their pound of flesh in because they know the fitter and stronger they are, the better chance they have of success, whether that’s with us or somewhere else.
“I really haven’t got a bad word to say about them. If anyone leaves before the start of the season I will shake their hand and wish them all the best then get back to concentrating on our club.”
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