Reading won't spurn Premier League shot - Noel Hunt
Sportsdesk • Published 12 May 2011 17:45
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NOEL HUNT says the self-belief flowing through the Reading side means they will not freeze on the big occasion and spurn their chance of a Premier League return.
The battling Irishman is relishing the prospect of locking horns with Cardiff once more, both home and away, in their play-off battle.
Hunt is determined to make up for lost-time and personal disappointment by helping fire the Royals to glory.
And he hopes these play-off are a less painful experience than the last.
Hunt revealed: "I watched the last play-offs we were in from a hospital bed two years ago.
"My appendix had ruptured, so at least I'm fit and ready to be involved this time.
"I had broken my foot against Barnsley a few games beforehand. I was sitting at home when I had a tummy pain.
"My girlfriend said it was my appendix but I didn't think so. Then the next day I was in hospital so she was right and I was wrong.
"I ended up watching it from my bed and it was horrible. When Burnley scored their second goal in the second-leg I started pushing the morphine button.
"But it's not going to be the cause of pushing a morphine button and going off to sleep this time. I don't want to go through that again.
"I can't take anything for granted but hopefully I will come back into the side."
And Hunt is positive that play-off pain won't be repeated against Cardiff, particularly with the first leg on home turf.
"If we get a good result on Friday all the pressure will be on Cardiff in the second leg.
"Pressure is a big problem for some teams but it isn't for us. We put pressure on ourselves but the good thing about this club is we help each other and stick together. I believe it could be a big benefit to us come the play-offs.
"Cardiff is a massive game, they're a big team and we will relish playing them.
"We know what we've got to do to beat Cardiff. We've played them twice this season and on both occasions we didn't get the luck we deserved.
"Their goal at our place was never over the line and then we had the extra seven minutes the referee got from his magic watch in the game in Cardiff, which killed it for us.
"But these things happen in football. I believe what goes around comes around so hopefully the rub of the green will go our way in the play-offs.
"It's certainly going to be interesting and I'm really looking forward to it now."
Hunt continued: "It's been a good season for us and a lot of that is down to the manager and staff. Since Brian took over we've been on the up and up. He's bettered his record from last season and we owe him a lot, so hopefully we can do this for him.
"This is where the hard work really starts as these next two games are possibly the biggest of our lives. It doesn't matter whether you finish third or sixth in the league. All four teams will think they have a good chance - but we think we have as good a chance as any of them."
Inevitably, given success and finances, bigger clubs will be eyeing Reading's talent with interest. Former boss and Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has been linked with a £6m summer move for Shane Long.
And Hunt said on possible transfers: "We've got four of five players who are good enough to play in the Premier League.
"There's no doubt that if we don't go up then other Premier League clubs will be sniffing around them.
"It's down to Reading and to us to stop that from happening and to go up ourselves, because it would save anyone from leaving.
"But we'll worry about things like that when it happens. Right now our only focus if getting into the Premier League and keeping everyone together."
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 12 May 11
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