McDermott searching for consistency ahead of Donny trip

Anthony Smith • Published 4 Feb 2010 09:00 0 Comments

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BRIAN McDermott wants his players to prove their Barnsley victory was no flash in the pan by winning at Doncaster Rovers this Saturday (5.20pm ko, live Sky Sports).

Reading defeated the Tykes 1-0 at home last weekend with Shane Long netting the winner to secure their first league victory since December 5.

Now McDermott is challenging his players to return from Keepmoat with three more points and take another significant step towards Championship safety.

And if they can defeat Sean O'Driscoll's slick Rovers' side, it will be the first time Reading have completed back-to-back wins in the league this season.

However, the Royals will start as form underdogs against Donny who boast one of the strongest home records in the division.

Boss McDermott told the Chronicle: "It was a great relief to get the win against a very good Barnsley side.

"I was well aware how dangerous Barnsley were and they showed it by going to Preston and winning 4-1 on Tuesday.

"That result proved what an excellent victory it was for us and I thought we thoroughly deserved the three points.

"It was really important and the players had a real spring in their step this week.

"But we've got to show it was not a one-off, that we can perform like that over a period of games and not just now and again.

"That's the challenge for us. We know we can do it on the day but can we do it again and again and again?

"It's all about finding that consistency. We haven't managed it this season but our performances have definitely improved recently and we believe we are getting there.

"Now we have to carry that forward into Doncaster which will be a real test for us."

Royals remain in deep trouble in the bottom three and McDermott insisted: "The players are desperate to get the results we need.

"Going to Doncaster is a difficult prospect. They like to play a certain way, they pass it around and every one of their players is comfortable on the ball.

"In some ways it's how we want to play and I think our fans can see it is what we're trying to do.

"I know Sean from way back when I played for Arsenal. I went to Fulham on loan and Sean was already there so we got to know each other.

"He's a real football man and he's been in the game a long time now, he knows what it's about.

"I genuinely thought he had a chance of going to Burnley in the Premier League because of the tremendous job he's done at Doncaster."

While McDermott prefers to focus on Saturday's clash than look too far ahead, Reading's home fixture against Plymouth Argyle next Tuesday is already on his mind (8pm ko).

Royals were hammered 4-1 at Home Park in December in McDermott's third game as caretaker manager.

And he declared: "Doncaster is the start of a big, big month for us. We play Plymouth next Tuesday and that will be massive too.

"They beat us 4-1 at their place which was easily our worse performance since I took over.

"But in my opinion we have improved a great deal since then and I know my players are desperate to prove that our defeat down there was just a bad day at the office."

* BRIAN McDermott faces a grilling from Reading supporters at a Fans Forum later this month.

The event takles place at Madejski Stadium on Thursday, February 18 (7.30pm) and is open to all STAR members.

Non-members can join on the night or log on to www.star-reading.org

* READING'S Championship away fixture at Crystal Palace has been put back 24 hours and will now be played on Wednesday February 17 (8pm).

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