Published: Friday, 19th March, 2010 9:00am

McDermott relishing Boro test

by Anthony Smith

Comments (0) | Print | Email

Kings of the road? Brian MCDermott's Reading aim to build on a run of six home wins when they visit Middlesbrough and Leicester in the week ahead.

ROYALS boss Brian McDermott heaped praise on his squad `for doing the business" at the Madejski Stadium - then challenged them to take their sensational form on the road.

In-form Reading face a massive week ahead with back-to-back trips to Middlesbrough on Saturday (3pm) followed by Leicester City next Wednesday night (8pm ko).

If McDermott's men claim a maximum six points it will leave them within touching distance of the play-offs.

But a poor points haul will almost certainly extinguish any faint hopes of a top-six finish.

However, only a fool would bet against Reading at this time following eight wins from their last nine league games, including six straight victories at home.

McDermott explained: "We have just finished a run of five home games in a row, four of them in the league.

"We went into that run on the back a very hard trip to Blackpool which we lost 2-0.

"But we did what we had to do and took 12 points from 12 in the Championship and gave Aston Villa a run for their money in the FA Cup quarter final.

"Now he have to carry that momentum with us for two away games in a week against very strong sides who are challenging for promotion.

"Middlesbrough are a Premier League club in all but their name and the Riverside is always a tough place to visit.

"Then Leicester are doing extremely well and are right up there in fourth place.

"It's a tough challenge but I have total confidence in my players.

"They have been nothing short of outstanding and I'm delighted with every single one of them."

Royals' squad will fly up to Middlesbrough to avoid fatigue ahead of a battle against Gordon Strachan's side.

Boro have been less than convincing at the Riverside this season winning just seven of their 18 games and scoring a meagre 19 goals in the process.

However, McDermott warned: "They signed a lot of players in January including some from Scotland who I know well because I used to do a lot of scouting up there for Reading.

"Players like Willo Flood, Stephen McManus and Barry Robson who are very talented individuals then there's Leroy Lita who everyone at Reading knows can score plenty of goals and got their late equaliser at Derby on Tuesday.

"But I prefer to concentrate on my players. We have no fresh injuries and we will go there and give it our best shot.

"People have asked me whether I would take a draw before the game but I said `no'. We try and win every game and Saturday will be no different."

Despite Reading's storming run, McDermott stressed he does not go in for table-gazing with Reading up to 14th and within range of the play-offs if they win their games in hand.

"I haven't looked at our position but we're moving up the table and that's good news for everyone," he declared.

"We want to pull well clear of danger, we're not out of that yet. But things are going in the right direction and the challenge is to build on our momentum over the last 11 games."

Sigurdsson's late penalty against QPR kept that momentum going and McDermott insists the importance of their 1-0 victory should not be underestimated.

"It was so important to come through that because it was a tough, tough game," he added.

"A lot of people were impressed with QPR and their squad at the start of the season and we were battered 4-1 at their place in October.

"When you add the Neil Warnock factor and their unbeaten record before Tuesday it was a terrific result for us.

"We showed tremendous character in what was an extremely difficult game."

Meanwhile, Matt Mills is likely to be in the starting line-up tomorrow despite his disciplinary this week.

The 23-year-old defender was fined in the wake of his fall-out with Royals fans during the QPR victory.

Mills was booed during the match and he later apologised for aiming an obscene gesture at supporters.

But his team-mates have been quick to rally around.

Right-back Andy Griffin said: "From what I've seen of Matthew Mills since I came here, he's been fantastic.

"The fans were singing his name at the end so Matt has just got to take the positives from it.

"He's got huge passion and desire to do well and he's been outstanding."

Left-back Ryan Bertrand added: "I couldn't believe it. Millsy has been excellent for us, especially in recent weeks.

"But I don't think any players deserves that, especially your own. Don't boo him, get behind him."