McDermott hails Royals' march

Reading boss not giving up hope of catching Southampton

Last Updated: February 7, 2012 2:21pm

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Brian McDermott: Reading manager has been delighted with the progress his team have made

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Brian McDermott believes Reading are heading in the right direction and is not ruling out securing automatic promotion from the Championship.

The Royals endured a slow start to the season after winning just once in their opening six games, but have risen to eighth in the table and are now two points outside the play-offs.

Reading are also only seven points adrift of second-placed Southampton, with a game in hand, and McDermott has been delighted with the progress his team have made.

He told the Reading Chronicle: "Look at the squad, in the last 22 games we're top of the league.

"We took four points from the first 18 available but we're top of the league since then. We're going in the right direction, the boys are doing really well.

"We've won eight games from the last 11 and we beat a decent Bristol City side last time out which was important. Southampton and West Ham are coming back towards the pack, which is good for everyone involved and for where we want to get to.

"The table has condensed. We were 17 points behind Southampton at one stage, now it's seven points which is a lot better."