LIAM MOORE hit back at pundits and bookmakers who have written Reading FC off ahead of today’s first-leg play-off clash against Fulham.

Moore, who had a birds-eye view of Leicester City’s 5000/1 miracle last season when the Foxes secured the Premier League title, suggested Reading are more than capable of defying the odds.

Today they face the Cottagers (5.30pm ko live on Sky Sports 1), who have already been tipped as favourites to win this season’s play-offs, with Reading considered as outsiders, despite Royals finishing third in the league.

“It’s an enjoyable place to be,” declared Moore.

“Not many people thought we would be where we are this season but the stats don’t lie, we finished in third position.

“It’s been a fantastic season and if people want to write us off without a ball being kicked in the play-offs then that’s fine.

“Pundits and bookmakers aren’t always correct. I was around a 5000/1 miracle last season so I don’t look into the odds.

“It’s two sets of 11 players and the subs and the squad. The best squad will win over the two sets of games.

“We are going to continue to work hard and see where it takes us.”

Despite being thumped 5-0 on their last visit to Craven Cottage, Moore insisted the players are ready to put in a better performance this time around.

“We looked at previous games and different patterns of movement,” the 24-year-old added.

“That was a bad game for us but we’ve moved on a lot as a team, we’ve grown and we’ve matured.

“It was a very different team on the day with injuries and suspensions so we can’t look into that too much.”

Fans urged Reading to secure third place so the second-leg of the play-off semi-finals will be played at Madejski Stadium next Tuesday.

And Moore insisted it is vital Reading achieve a positive result at Craven Cottage and use their home-form to their advantage.

“There is no away goals in the play-offs so you can write that side of it off,” he asserted.

“But if we can go there and get a positive result, with our fortunes at home this season it will be very good for us.

“Training has been good and the lads are in good spirits.

“We know it’s going to be difficult but we’re ready to kick on.”