Royals boss eager to reward fans with Pompey win
Sportsdesk • Published 16 Aug 2011 18:05
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BRIAN McDermott has promised to send Royals fans home happy again tonight.
Around 1,500 Reading supporters watched their side defeat Championship title-favourites Leicester City 2-0 away from home on Saturday.
It was a bitter blow for ex-Reading skipper Matt Mills, who joined the Foxes in a whopping £5.5 million deal recently.
But for McDermott and Royals fans it was a moment to savour as his side chalked up his first league victory of the new campaign.
And how McDermott would love to do it all again at Fratton Park tonight (7.45pm ko).
He said: "We had fantastic backing at Leicester, the fans will have enjoyed the trip home and the performance as well.
"That was a game we wanted to win, we performed well on the day and now we move on.
"I said yesterday we have to leave it behind us. Last year we learned so much, both personally and the players, that this League is a mentality thing, you look at every game individually, get your tactics right, the lads carry the tactics out and we try to win.
"Now we want to do that again, get the consistent levels that you need in this league.
"There will be a good football atmosphere tonight and I am sure our fans will play their part."
He added: "Portsmouth is a good place to go and play, there will be a great atmosphere, I am sure we will bring a lot of fans, we want to go and give a good performance and get the right outcome."
Jay Tabb is back in contention after serving a three-match suspension for his red card in the Championship play-off final at Wembley last season.
But striker Simon Church remains sidelined, meaning Mathieu Manset and Noel Hunt are likely to start up front.
Ex-Reading forward Dave Kitson is likely to be in the Pompey squad, and McDermott suggested: "I think Dave will play, I'll be surprised if he's not playing.
"I know him well, he's a friend of mine, he's a good player and was a terrific player for us."
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 16 Aug 11
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