Promotion dream still on for Reading FC

Anthony Smith • Published 29 Sep 2011 15:30 5 Comments

READING FC manager Brian McDermott believes his new-look squad is good enough to win promotion.

Royals have sold their top players for massive profits throughout McDermott's 20-month reign in charge.

As a result, he is currently building his third squad after waving goodbye to stellar talents like Gylfi Sigurdsson, Shane Long and Matt Mills in order to balance the books.

It means McDermott has rarely had a settled side and has been forced to wheel and deal in the transfer window in order to soften the blow.

Nevertheless, McDermott is confident that with a united dressing room, anything is possible.

Speaking exclusively to the Chronicle, he said: "At the moment, we're just trying to hang in there in the league. Last season we dragged each other through and it took us all the way to a Wembley play-off final.

"We're trying to do that again this season, that's what we're trying to achieve. It's what we have to do because this is almost a new team again. But we never complain about that. It's the way it is and we will work even harder to get there."

McDermott faces a fine balancing act as he combines the task of rebuilding the squad with producing results on the pitch.

"We've had to make a lot of changes over the summer, and not for the first time," McDermott added. "We're trying to build something and also get results at the same time. That's the mixture at the moment, and it's not easy combining the two.

"We're trying to show more quality and at times we have done that. But you always have to balance that against getting results."

Reading's remarkable 3-2 win at Bristol City on Tuesday night sums up the job McDermott and his staff are facing.

Royals were ragged for 70 minutes and fell 2-0 down only to storm back with three goals in the final 18 minutes through skipper Jobi McAnuff, Adam Le Fondre and substitute Mathieu Manset.

But he insisted: "There's a lot of potential in this squad because we are a young team. Reading always produces players with potential and there are a few like Shane Long and Kevin Doyle playing in the Premier League right now to prove it. But new players take time to adjust."

Buoyed by Tuesday's win at Ashton Gate, Royals face another stern test when they host unbeaten Middlesbrough at Madejski Stadium this Saturday (3pm ko). Tony Mowbray's side have won all four away games this season and have conceded just one goal in that run.

"We stayed in the same place as Middlesbrough in Slovenia on pre-season tough and Tony has done a great job there," McDermott declared. "They've had a terrific start to the season and we know Saturday will be a tough, tough game.

"Boro have had a settled side for a while now. Players there are still on big money and it will be a major test for us."

Sadly, Royals' injured winger Jimmy Kebe is almost certain to miss the game: "We'll make a late decision but it's unlikely he will play," confirmed McDermott.

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 29 Sep 11

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Royal Wood
  Unregistered User
  Sep 29, 16:32
  Report comment

  Doing a great job Brian....BUT
  
  Let me get this right then, we are constantly balancing the books even when players have been sold for massive profits and others have been released which means the wages are reduced.
  
  EUREKA MOMENT!
  
  Why dont we sell the naming rights to the stadium that to be fair may not generate hundreds of millions like Man City but could generate 10's of millions which would allow the club to deal with the invest and push for the prem.
  
  Or is it that they dont really want that?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 8     No 2

• 

  Royal Wood
  Unregistered User
  Sep 29, 16:33
  Report comment

  Doing a great job Brian....BUT
  
  Let me get this right then, we are constantly balancing the books even when players have been sold for massive profits and others have been released which means the wages are reduced.
  
  EUREKA MOMENT!
  
  Why dont we sell the naming rights to the stadium that to be fair may not generate hundreds of millions like Man City but could generate 10's of millions which would allow the club to deal with the shortfall but also invest and push for the prem.
  
  Or is it that they dont really want that?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 2

• 

  LoyalRoyal
  13 posts
  Sep 29, 19:50
  Report comment

  Brian is one of the best Reading managers ever and I think he will lead us to the prem if le fondre and church keep scoring goals
  
  Recommend?   Yes 3     No 0

• 

  ARealRoyal
  Unregistered User
  Sep 30, 10:01
  Report comment

  Maybe if so called fans stop moaning about how the club is run finacially and actually take a look at the accounts that reading have published then you would see where all the money is going and realise that its not that simple!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 7

• 

  Royal Wood
  Unregistered User
  Sep 30, 12:59
  Report comment

  ARealRoyal
  
  If you see my first comment "Doing a great job Brian" you will see I am 100% behind the team and as for the financials it is a case of disputing what and where but a simple solution is offered
  
  So you tell me Why not to sell the naming rights to produce the extra cash
  
  Recommend?   Yes 6     No 1

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