McDermott toasts 'incredible' team
Anthony Smith • Published 3 May 2011 16:30
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Frustration: Shane Long blazes his shot over the bar as one of Reading's best chances went begging at Coventry City. Pic: Tony Knox.
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READING manager Brian McDermott ordered his players to celebrate qualifying for the Championship play-offs - but without the booze.
Royals secured the point they needed to finish in the top-six with a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Coventry City on Saturday.
They will not find out who they will face in the play-off semi-finals until the regular season finishes this Saturday, with McDermott's men set to host Derby County at Madejski Stadium (12.45pm ko).
But the prospect of a showdown against former manager Brendan Rodgers' Swansea City looks a distinct possibility.
McDermott declared: "What these boys have done is absolutely incredible and I'd like to congratulate them on that.
"In the last 16 games we've won 11, drawn three and lost two. We had a meeting with 17 games to go, we'd been written off, so to get here, the players and staff have done us proud, every single one of them.
"I'm delighted for the fans as well. I said to the players you need to celebrate being in the play-offs - I'll have the alcohol but you leave it alone.
"What they've done has not happened over a couple of games, it's 45 games. You can be lucky over four or five games, but you always finish where you deserve to.
"Now we'll have a good week, then it's Derby at home and then we look forward to the play-offs."
Reading's season looked like petering out when they slipped down to 12th position in mid-February following successive defeats to QPR and Norwich City.
But a sensational run - including an eight-match winning streak - saw them take 26 points out of a possible 33 to cement their place in the end-of-season shoot-out.
And though Royals have not won any of their last three games, McDermott is confident they can beat anyone on their day.
"I'm really excited because we're involved in what is now a cup competition," he argued. "We also have the opportunity to play at Wembley in what is probably one of the most prestigious games in world football."
Despite their superb run of late, Royals have drawn two and lost one of their last three games before Saturday's showdown with Derby County in Robbie Savage's last appearance before he retires.
They were relieved to secure the draw against Coventry having weathered long spells of pressure at Ricoh Arena.
McDermott added: "Did we play well in this game? No, not particularly, we had to hang in there and get the result, but we're in the play-offs.
"We knew it would be a tough game. We played with a little bit of tension, we had a couple of chances but Coventry played really well. They're a handful, they've got threats across the pitch."
He also insisted: "I didn't want to go into next week's Derby game having lost and looking over the shoulder. I'm delighted to have got the point, though I wouldn't say I'm delighted with the performance.
"The dressing room was a little bit flat afterwards but the result was the most important thing."
The first leg of the play-off semi-finals will take place on Thursday, May 12 and Friday, May 13.
The second legs on Monday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 17.
The final takes place at Wembley Stadium on Monday, May 30.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 03 May 11
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