JON Dadi Bodvarsson has urged Reading FC fans to get behind the team and push them towards a top-six finish in the Skybet Championship this season.

The towering Icelandic international striker said Royals are determined to silence their critics and prove they can be a dominant force in the league.

The 25-year-old confessed the squad will need the supporters behind them and said tomorrow’s (Friday) opening clash against Derby at Madejski Stadium is the perfect opportunity to win fans over.

“Like the cliche goes, they are our 12th man,” stated Bodvarsson.

“Without them there will not be as much drive. They give us the edge.

“There is something about the fans that gives you that little bit extra.

“When you hit teams on the break or you score a goal, it gives you a bit of extra energy that’s deep inside you.”

Reading finished 20th in the table last season in what was a bitterly disappointing campaign for the club.

Bodvarsson confessed Royals lacked shape and leadership, but said he is confident there is enough quality in the squad to turn things around.

The striker welcomed the additional competition in the form of Sam Baldock and Marc McNulty and said his teammates are ready to challenge at the right end of the table this year.

He asserted: “I feel like the top six is the ambition for this year.

“Last year was very poor in terms of Reading’s standards.

“We were not compact and a bit out of shape a few too many times. The confidence goes lower and there was a lack of leadership.

“They were a few of the main things that went wrong last season.”

He concluded: “I hope we have a clean slate now – from the first game to the last, we have to be more consistent.”

Tonight's fixture is live on Sky Sports (8pm).