EXCLUSIVE: Reading have best team ethic
Anthony Smith • Published 26 Oct 2012 09:00
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BRIAN McDermott insists Reading's team ethic is unmatched by any club in the country.
Royals are struggling in 19th position in the Premier League and without a win to their name.
But McDermott has every confidence in his players to turn things around by rekindling the spirit that won them the Championship title last season.
Speaking exclusively to the Chronicle he said: "We've got the best team ethic in the country, and I mean that. We showed that last season when we won the championship and we want to show that again.
"You need to have that spirit in adversity when things aren't going your way. That's when we all find out things about each other.
"But this club is united and always has been. We're not looking to blame anyone.
"We know that if we keep doing the right things then it will turn for us."
This Saturday's crucial home game against Fulham is the beginning of a defining period for McDermott's men.
Royals face a make-or-break month in November when they play Queens Park Rangers, Norwich City, Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa before making a trip to Southampton in early December.
McDermott insisted: "We feel we're very close to where we want to be. We've had some very hard games and on another day we could have beaten Chelsea, Newcastle and Swansea and possibly West Brom.
"The only time we've been well beaten is by Spurs so that's where we're at. The main thing is we put everything into Saturday's game."
Royals' boss also believes supporters have a major role to play this weekend.
"I earmark every game as an opportunity to win, but we're at home and our record at the Madejski is fantastic," he declared.
"We love playing in front of our own fans. They really get behind the boys and I really want to get that message out to them.
"They're vital to us at home. The players want to do right by them, and get a win for them, they really do.
"The boys are giving us everything, I can't fault their endeavour. Now we really need our fans to keep the faith on Saturday and help us get the right result."
Reading will have to improve on last Saturday's performance in the defeat at Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool to stand any chance of picking up three points against the Cottagers.
However, McDermott insists there were positives to take from the 1-0 loss at Anfield.
"We will take the second-half against Liverpool into Saturday's game," he explained.
"I've watched the replay twice and our workrate, application and attitude in the first half was undoubted.
"Unfortunately, we didn't do what we had to do with the ball, we were too sloppy.
"Saying that, in the second-half we were on top. We had opportunities and we could have nicked something."
This article appeared in Bracknell News 26 Oct 12
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