Reading FC striker Le Fondre aiming to give doubters the Blues
James Walker-Roberts • Published 4 Nov 2011 09:30
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READING FC striker Adam Le Fondre has warned it would be dangerous to write his side off as they look to lay the foundations for another unbeaten run against Birmingham City at the Madejski on Sunday (3pm ko).
Royals have been in mixed form as of late, avoiding defeat for eight matches prior to their midweek loss to Nottingham Forest but now with just 14 points from their last nine outings.
The below-par display at the City Ground has left them 16th in the Championship table ahead of a tough run of fixtures that sees them face the Blues, Cardiff City and Ipswich Town.
However, just as the eight-match unbeaten run received conflicting interpretations, Royals striker Le Fondre is viewing the current situation as glass half full, rather than half empty.
"We need to push up the league but, as the gaffer said, back-to-back wins would leave us around the top eight and people will be talking about us as possible contenders again," he told the Chronicle.
"At the moment, we're down in the bottom half and I'm sure some people are writing us off. But the last few seasons have shown that is a dangerous thing to do because the club has been on brilliant runs after Christmas in the past."
"They've done it for the past two season and there's no reason why we can't do it again. We're starting from a stronger position this time and we will see what happens, there are plenty of points to play for."
Indeed, despite their indifferent form and lowly league position, Reading are just six points off the play-off places.
A win over Birmingham on Sunday could lift them into the top half to the table and, as they have already shown against Southampton and Crystal Palace, Royals are more than capable of mixing it with the best in the division.
"These are two massive home games coming up now and it would be a good time for us to bounce back," said Le Fondre.
"Birmingham are obviously a very strong side, but we're playing in front of our own fans and we'll be looking for three points.
"I've never played against them before and I'm really looking forward to it. There should be a big crowd and I love playing at Madejski Stadium, and these are the games you want to play in. I hope I can prove myself by scoring a few more goals."
Le Fondre has netted four times in the Championship for Reading this season but, like the rest of the team, the goals have dried up recently for the former Rotherham United man.
Against Forest he was starved service for much of the match, although admits Royals were wasteful with the few chances they did have.
"If we had taken our chances, we could have closed the game out a lot earlier," he said. "The general feeling is that we were punished because we played well enough to get at least a point.
"To be honest, we weren't in top form but we'll keep working hard and keep trying to do the right things. I'm sure if we keep doing that we'll start putting those chances away."
* A collection will be made before kick-off on Sunday to raise money for a statue of Reading solider Fred Potts, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for rescuing fellow townsman Arthur Andrews at Galipoli in 1915.
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