Fedders brushes off play-off talk

Anthony Smith • Published 25 Mar 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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ROYALS keeper Adam Federici dismissed talk of a late play-off push following their last-gasp 2-1 victory at promotion chasing Leicester City.

Gylfi Sigurdsson converted an injury-time penalty to seal a 2-1 victory at Walkers Stadium on Wednesday night and make it an incredible nine wins in 11 Championship matches for rampant Reading.

A staggering haul of 28 points from a possible 33 has fired Brian McDermott's side up the Championship table to within striking distance of the play-offs.

They are eight points behind six-placed Cardiff City but have a game in hand and still have to visit the Welsh capital for a potentially crucial fixture on April 10.

And in this kind of red-hot form, you would not bet against them winning virtually every game from here on and sneaking in.

Federici, though, declared: "I'm happy not thinking about it at the moment.

"They guys aren't saying much about it either so we're just taking it one game at a time.

"West Brom on Saturday is a big game again and if we keep winning who knows where we might end up?"

Royals supporters are convinced that a top six finish is not impossible, and Federici added: "That's part of being a fan and fair play to them.

"They had to put up with a lot of in the first half of the season but we've turned it around for them.

"It's great to have that confidence back in the team and to hear people saying good stuff about us now."

Royals left it late again on Wednesday when Sigurdsson slotted the injury-time winner from the spot after sub Simon Church had been tripped by Nolberto Solano.

Jimmy Kebe put McDermott's men ahead in the 17th minute with a cunning finish for his ninth of the campaign.

Martyn Waghorn levelled five minutes before the break but Reading grabbed another late, late winner through Sigurdsson barely a week after the 20-year-old's identical trick in the victory over QPR.

"It was a fantastic result in a big game, and a feisty one at that," added Federici. "We had a good talking to at half-time and came out firing."

"Everyone really wanted to win that game and we worked so hard together. It's credit to how we're playing at the moment that we got another 90th minute winner.

"We never stop trying to win games whether it's the first minute or the last."

"Leicester have been in great form. They were promoted last season and they're a fantastic side and we wish them all the best."

If Royals are to maintain their play-off push they will probably have to beat second-placed West Brom at the MAdejski Stadium this Saturday (3pm ko).

The sides drew 2-2 in the FA Cup fifth round last month before Royals won the replay 3-2 at the Hawthorns, Sigurdsson again with a sublime extra-time clincher.

"West Brom are a great side but we got one over on them in the FA Cup and they obviously weren't too happy about that," quipped Federici.

"I'm presuming they will be coming down to beat us, and beat us well, so it should be a good clash."

***** ADAM Federici will be giving a pair of boots away to a lucky supporter this Saturday.

The fun-loving Aussie will be handing over the yellow boots he wore during Royals cup run.

There is one condition - you must carry an Australian flag or come in Aussie fancy dress. *****

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