Published: Thursday, 18th September, 2008 09:00
Hunt brothers aim for the top
By Anthony Smith
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Making his mark: Noel Hunt made an instant impact in the 6-0 drubbing of Sheffield Wednesday with two goals on his first Championship start.
STEPHEN Hunt is tipping Noel for international honours as the Irish brothers aim to kick-start Reading’s season away from home at Watford this Saturday (3pm ko).
While Royals maintained their 100% home record by hammering Sheffield Wednesday 6-0 on Tuesday night, their form on the road is a cause for concern.
Steve Coppell’s side have won just two of their last 23 games and they have picked up just one point from three games on the road this season from the goalless draw at Nottingham Forest on the opening day.
That was followed by a 4-2 defeat at Charlton and last Saturday’s 2-0 reverse at Ipswich when Coppell’s men were comprehensively out-played.
But Hunt says the disappointment of the Portman Road performance served as a wake up call and gave the team added motivation against Wednesday.
“We didn’t get the hairdryer treatment at Ipswich, the manager is not like that,” explained Hunt. “But he made us well aware we were not good enough and we owed it to the fans and ourselves because we’re better than that.
“We weren’t `at it’ mentally at Ipswich, it was there for everyone to see. We let ourselves down as well as the fans.
“But no excuses. Ipswich were better than us and we were better than Sheffield Wednesday. It’s just the way it goes.”
Reading suffer no such problems a the Madejski Stadium where they steamrollered sorry Wednesday thanks to a Kevin Doyle hat-trick, two from Noel Hunt and an Andre Bikey header.
Coppell’s men clearly enjoy playing in front of the Royals’ faithful and a large following will be making the short trip to Watford who slumped to their first home defeat against Plymouth on Tuesday.
“Desire is vital in this league,” suggested Hunt. “You out-run teams and our fitness in the first half against Sheffield Wednesday won us the game. Some of their players said to me `crickey, slow down.’ We were flying.
“It did well for our goal difference which could be important at the end of the season but we move on and face a tough game at Watford on Saturday.
“Hopefully we can go on a run now and get some consistency away from home and have the confidence to beat teams.”
And he added: “We’ve moved up the league, though Wolves also won to keep the six points gap which is a bit disappointing because it would have been nice to be closer to the top of the league. But if we play well at Watford then it will get us closer.
“It’s not too far away so we will hopefully have a big following. If anything that will help us take more fans and create a nice, vocal backing.
“Watford lost on Tuesday which was the last thing we needed but the important thing is we go there with the right attitude.”
Meanwhile, Hunt believes little brother Noel has the ability to follow him into the Republic of Ireland squad one day.
The 25-year-old £600,000 Dundee United signing scored twice against Sheffield Wednesday on his first league start to take his tally to three for the season.
That is certain to have cemented his place in the side at Watford alongside Doyle and Coppell appears to have found his most potent combination up front.
“He’s been waiting for his chance and he took his two goals very well, he finished well,” stated Hunt, 26.
“He will grow in confidence, I know what he’s capable of doing and hopefully some of the Irish set-up will see what he can do as well.
“It’s up to Mr Trapattoni, though I know it would be great for Noel. He’s been in the `B’ squad a few times but let’s not get carried away.
“He’s done well for us but he needs to get his head down now and get ready for Watford. Like the rest of us he needs to rest and recover.
“We’ve got a tough game to come Saturday and, if we can keep him as low-key as we can, it would be great.”
The Hunts are the first brothers to play for Reading since Tony and Barry Wagstaff 40 years ago.
Royals coach Wally Downes joked: “It must be something in the water in Waterford. They’re both terrific kids to have around the place. They’re open and honest and they work hard.
“They get around the pitch quickly, they’re the same stature and it looks fast and flashy. They do make a big impact.
“Noel isn’t raw like when Doyle and Shane Long came here. He has a pedigree and he’s played in the Scottish Premier League. But he knew he wasn’t going to go straight into our team.
“However, it didn’t take him long to fit in and he immediately kept up with the pace of training and he’s a goal threat.”
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