Reading skipper challenges team-mates ahead of Ashton Gate test
Sportsdesk • Published 26 Sep 2011 19:10
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ROYALS winger Jobi McAnuff says the big challenge facing his side is to continue their recent revival as they prepare to travel to Bristol City on Tuesday night (7.45pm ko).
Reading have emerged from a five-match losing streak in all competitions by taking four points from their next two Championship games.
On Saturday they earned a 1-1 draw at Coventry City which followed a 2-0 home victory over Doncaster Rovers the week before.
Now Brian McDermott's men go to Ashton Gate hoping to extend their unbeaten league run to three matches.
McAnuff said: "It's about building up a bit of momentum now. The manager has told us it's about winning our home games and then looking to accumulate points away from home.
"We're going to Bristol City to win and if we can do that the picture will look even better.
"We haven't been overly busy in September so it's a matter of being ready for it on the night.
"It's always a tough game down at Ashton Gate. But if we can go there and play well for the 90 minutes we will fancy our chances.
"We've got a decent record down there so we're looking forward to it."
In-form Royals striker Simon Church notched his second goal in two games at Coventry City after Gary McSheffrey had given the hosts the lead at Ricoh Arena.
Noel Hunt then missed a penalty for Reading, only for Coventry's Lukas Jutkiewicz to do the same with only seconds left on the clock.
And McAnuff argues: "We started the worst way possible by conceding a goal then Coventry got a penalty in the last 30 seconds of the game.
"So a point was probably right in the end. We played well in patches and we've got to look at the positives."
One of those positives is the developing partnership between Alex Pearce and recent QPR signing Kaspars Gorkss in the heart of Reading's defence.
"The centre halves looked very strong on Saturday," he stated. "Pearcey is playing on the front foot, he's winning his headers and he looks good.
"It helps playing with Kaspars who has done very well since he came in.
"Up front Simon Church and Adam Le Fondre did very well against Coventry too, particularly in the first-half.
"It's about us getting quality balls in to them and allowing them to link up. I don't think we did that second-half on Saturday. But overall I thought they linked up really well and hopefully we can keep on with that on Tuesday."
Injured Reading winger Jimmy Kebe is a major doubt for the trip to Ashton Gate, though he could be available this Saturday when high-flying Middlesbrough visit Madejski Stadium.
** ROYALS midfielder Brian Howard has signed a three-month loan deal with Championship rivals Millwall.
The 28-year-old could make his Lions debut at Watford on Tuesday night **
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