Harte says pace is key to Royals success

Sportsdesk • Published 10 Sep 2010 14:30 0 Comments

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IAN HARTE believes Reading’s blistering pace in attack can be the springboard to mount a serious promotion push this season.

The Royals snapped up the former Republic of Ireland international, who has just turned 33, from League 1 Carlisle United last week in a deal believed to be around £150,000.

And despite Brian McDermott’s men having experienced a mediocre start to the campaign, the defender is confident his new team-mates possess the quality to be up near the top come the end of the season.

Harte, who is set to make his Royals debut in tomorrow’s clash against Crystal Palace at Madejski Stadium (3pm), said: “I don’t see why we can’t get promoted. The strikeforce has pace and there is pace on the wings in Jimmy Kebe, Jobi McAnuff and Michail Antionio.

“I played against Michail last season when he was on loan at Southampton and I thought he was fantastic.

“I also know Shane Long from the Republic of Ireland team and he’s a quality player.

“There’s a good mix of players here and with a bit more experience who knows where we can finish.

“I’m just looking forward to getting to know the lads now and getting to know them and the team strategy.”

Harte, who turned down Championship rivals Norwich City and Ipswich Town as well as a new deal at Carlisle to sign for Reading, added: “The manager didn’t really have to sell me the club, it sells itself.

“Reading was in the Premier League a few years ago and we want to get back there quickly. There’s a great squad of players here.

“Reading only just missed out on the play-offs last season.

“This season didn’t start well when we lost to Scunthorpe so it was so important to get the win at Leicester when Mills got the winning header.

“It’s crucial to go into an international break with three points in the bag and hopefully we can build on that when we face Crystal Palace.”

The Royals have been rocked by the departure of star man Gylfi Sigurdsson to German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in a £7million deal, but McDermott still has plenty of youth to call upon.

And veteran Harte, who has been capped 64 times by the Republic of Ireland and also starred in the Premier League and the Champions League for Leeds United, believes his experience can help nurture Reading’s younger players.

“There’s a good mixture of experience and youth here but hopefully I can help the younger lads if they need to talk or work out how to get the best out of each other on the pitch.

“That combination worked for us at Carlisle so hopefully it can happen here too.

“Reading have some fantastic players. I know they’ve lost a top-quality youngster in Gylfi Sigurdsson to Hoffenheim, but I’m sure there are other players who can come in and do the same job.”

Defender Harte is now looking forward to staking a claim for a place in the Royals back four where he is most likely to start at left-back as Marcus Williams is an injury-doubt and Chris Armstrong needs more time after a career-threatening 13-month lay-off.

He said: “I’m fit and I’ll definitely be available to play against Palace.

“I played last season at centre-half and I’ve started there this season and scored two goals already. Hopefully that continues and I can score a good few more for Reading.

“I’m not sure where the gaffer will play me - that’s up to him. But it’s more important that we’re winning games and putting points on the board to see where that takes us.”

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