Reading FC's Leigertwood ready to make a statement
Anthony Smith • Published 14 Oct 2011 14:30
0 Comments
MIKELE Leigertwood believes Reading can make a significant statement to the rest of the Championship in the week ahead.
Royals are heading into a critical seven-day period with a trip to Burnley this Saturday followed by successive home games against Derby County and Southampton.
The weekend's fixture at Turf Moor will be the first since the two week international break, while the mouthwatering clashes with Derby and Saints - two teams in the top three - could give fans a clearer indication of the strength of Reading's squad.
One thing for certain, Leigertwood would love to come through those tests with a decent haul of points and show the rest of the division that Royals are well and truly back.
"We're focused on what's ahead," said Leigertwood. "We came back to good form before the international break and we need to continue that and hopefully kick-on again.
"We have one away game and two home games in the next week and we know we have to make the Madejski Stadium a fortress.
"We must be strong at home so the teams are worried about playing at the Madejski."
Reading have recovered from a poor start to the season and are now unbeaten in four Championship matches, taking them up to a mid-table position.
The last away game ended in a nailbiting 3-2 victory at Bristol City when Brian McDermott's men fought back from 2-0 down thanks to goals from Jobi McAnuff, Adam Le Fondre and an injury-time winner from substitute Mathieu Manset.
"It was a bit of a crazy game down there," admitted 28-year-old Leigertwood. "But we stuck to our task and the substitutes help change the outcome of the game.
"As a team we all know what's required now, the manager has demanded more of us since we lost at home to Watford and we've taken on that challenge."
McDermott was forced to tweak his team in a bid to arrest a five-match losing streak in all competitions and Leigertwood's previous midfield partner, Jem Karacan, was one of the victims.
Leigertwood has now started the last four games alongside Jay Tabb and Royals are unbeaten in them all, picking up two wins and eight points.
"I played with Tabby a few times last year and we did well together," said Leigertwood. "I think we've picked up where we left off and got some good results.
"I enjoy playing alongside him. He works hard and always gives 120 per cent. I think we complement each other quite well ."
But he also insisted: "We're going to need the squad. I have played in the middle with Jem Karacan before and he's kind of out of the team now.
"But Tabby has also been out and no position is safe. It could happen to me so everyone just has to do their best."
Meanwhile, Leigertwood has spoken of his dream of playing in the World Cup having just returned from international duty with Antigua & Barbuda.
They won 1-0 in Curacao and currently top their qualifying group, and Leigertwood declared: "The game went well and it was a good victory," said Mikele.
"The game was on astro-turf and they were a decent side, they have a lot of young Dutch players that they bring over from the Netherlands but we were organised and got the result that we needed.
"I played 90 minutes in 30 degree heat. There was a nice little breeze but I was still literally soaked, my boots were squelching with the sweat. But it was a really enjoyable time and I managed to get some rest.
"After this we have two games against Haiti which we need to win to get through to round three.
"Then there would be big games against the USA and Jamaica to get us to the World Cup. Why would you not want to play in the World Cup? It would be fantastic."
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 13 Oct 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
