Gunter ignores critics to focus on first win
Published 16 Nov 2012 12:30
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CHRIS Gunter has adopted a self-imposed media ban in order to block out criticism of the Reading team.
Gunter revealed he pays little attention to what critics say about Reading's start to the season that sees them languishing in the relegation zone after 10 games.
The level-headed 23-year-old defender explained: "Maybe people are out to knock us, I don't know. I don't want to sound ignorant but I tend not to read that stuff or watch it on the television anyway.
"You can't be too concerned with all that stuff. The only people who really matter are the ones on the inside. At the end of the day, we are the only ones who can affect our results.
"It doesn't matter whether there are good or bad things being said about us, come Saturday afternoon none of that matters."
And the Wales full-back added: "In football it's easy to get too high with success and too low when things aren't going great.
"The fact is you are going to win and lose games. I'm sure that this year we are going to go on a run when everyone will be telling us how well we're playing.
"So I think it's important not to get too carried away by that stuff and, for me, the best thing to do is to stay away from it."
At least Gunter's words will strike a chord with manager Brian McDermott who is renowned for his cool and calm approach,
"Brian brings a calmness to the dressing room," he said. "He has a sensible outlook on things. It starts at the top and filters down through the club.
"No-one wants to win games more than us players, it's our lives. Fans work hard to pay to come and watch us and we come in to work hard every day. But there is no secret formula to winning games, it's about having belief in what you are trying to achieve."
Royals may need every ounce of that belief this Saturday when they entertain David Moyes' slick Everton side (3pm ko).
But they will take confidence from having won 1-0 at Goodison when the sides last met in the FA Cup fifth round in March 2011.
The Toffees, though, have had a terrific start to the campaign and boast one of the Premier League's most dangerous players in Marouane Fellaini.
The 6ft 5ins Belgian has been almost unplayable at times, and when asked how Reading will handle the Toffees' tormentor, Gunter replied: "We were asking the same questions with Wales before we played Belgium in September.
"It's always dangerous to pick out one player, we will look at all the Everton players. In this league, if you ignore someone they will come back and damage you. But he's obviously started the season well and we will have to watch him closely."
Belgium won that game 2-0 after Wales' James Collins was sent off.
"We went down to 10 men after 15 minutes so hopefully it doesn't go the same way this weekend," quipped Gunter. "We made it tough for them after that but the start we had wasn't ideal.
"But Saturday will be different and it would be great if we can pick up three points.
"I made my Premier League debut for Spurs at Everton a few years ago. It ended 0-0 and I would take a clean sheet again. But it would be nice to build on that and get a win."
Reading are sweating over the fitness of Jimmy Kebe who damaged his groin in training this week.
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