Leigertwood: 'We must cut out mistakes'

Anthony Smith • Published 18 Feb 2011 08:30 0 Comments

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MIKELE Leigertwood believes Reading must start cutting out their mistakes as he prepares to make his comeback against Watford at Madejski Stadium tomorrow (3pm ko).

Royals have paid a heavy price for shipping late goals in their last four games and must now play catch -up on the top six Championship teams.

But to achieve that they must eradicate the errors which have plagued them all month.

In an exclusive Chronicle interview, Leigertwood said: "There are 15 games left and 45 points to play for so it's still totally in our hands.

"But we can't really afford to make many more mistakes from here on. We'll be trying to win every game from now until the end of the season and hopefully that will take us where we want to be.

"As long as we keep the right attitude, we have every chance."

Leigertwood had become a key member of the Reading side when his progress was halted by the red card he received after the bad-blooded 2-2 draw with Cardiff City. He was banned for three matches and in his absence Royals picked up just one point from Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Sheffield United.

"I was very disappointed to lose my place in the team," he explained. "But I've served my punishment and I want to finish the season strongly now. It's been a frustrating time but I've got some good training and rest under my belt which should stand me in good stead for the remaining games.

"The players worked their socks off in those three games without getting what they really deserved. But these late goals are hurting us to be honest, it's uncharacteristic of Reading.

"But it's just one of those things that happens in football. There's no rhyme nor reason why, so we've got to use that disappointment to drive us on."

Reading have not won in the Championship since their 3-0 home victory against Doncaster on January 15, and in the past week they have shipped late goals at Norwich City and Sheffield United.

"It's been a disappointed dressing room this week," admitted the 28-year-old midfielder. "We didn't play very well in the second half against QPR, everyone knows that. But we played well against Norwich and were unlucky to go down to 10 men before they scored in the last minute. But to concede another late one at Sheffield left everyone disappointed because we were the better side.

"There's nothing we can do about that now other than try and put it right on Saturday. The good thing about this divisions is that games come around thick and fast."

Hot on the heels of the Watford clash will be another six-pointer against play-off rivals Millwall at home next Tuesday night (8pm ko).

"We have two massive home games in a row now against teams we are fighting for promotion against," added Leigertwood. "If we're serious about this season, we need to get something from them.

"We've got to prove ourselves against these kind of teams. But it's Watford first and they've been the surprise package in the Championship given their financial situation.

"They've given a lot of youngsters a chance which is always good to see. They had a good result on Tuesday when they managed a draw from two goals down, but a bit of experience can help at this stage of the season and we'll be looking for three points."

Leigertwood is almost certain to start on Saturday in place of the suspended Jem Karacan.

And Royals boss Brian McDermott admitted the on-loan midfielder has been sorely missed.

"By definition of our results, we've missed him," insisted McDermott. "Mikele is a good lad around the place and I've got to think about that's best from the team.

"Our recent performances have been good apart from the one against QPR, so we've also got to bear that in mind. But there's no doubt he's an important player for us."

However, McDermott also stressed: "There won't be wholesale changes, it's not as if we're losing three or four nil.

"We keep getting done in the last minute, but we're still very, very close. I don't want to make excuses, but we will keep working hard and hopefully we'll get our rewards soon."

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