Brian McDermott On Reading FC's Defeat at Brighton

In a bitter night on the south coast, the Royals were looking to come back strong after a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Crystal Palace on Friday, but this was not to be the case. Manager Brian McDermott put out a strong side, but promotion chasers Brighton scored a first half goal to secure an important three points for the Seagulls, so the Royals left empty handed.

Speaking about the match, McDermott told the official club website...

"Brighton are going well in the league at this moment in time and they've managed to nick the game 1-0. That's where we need to get to. We had a chance to make it 1-1 at the end with Ola John. But it's not about this chance or that chance, we need to create more chances in front of goal.

"We had a chat after the game in the dressing room, a conversation about where we've got to be going forward. It was very straight forward. I've been here for many years and I know what this football club is all about.

With regards to work ethic, McDermott had this to say...

"It's players who work hard for the badge, work hard for the supporters, work their socks off every game they play. Any team who play against Reading has to know it is going to be a tough tough game if Reading play well.

"We're trying to get ourselves back to what we're about as a football club and that's going to be really important going forward. We are competitive. But we want to be where Brighton are. We've been used to being in the top six in the Championship, so that's what we're striving to get to - and we need to get back there as soon as we possibly can."

It's back to the Madejski this weekend against the in-form Cardiff City. Ahead of the game, McDermott said that...

"Every time we put on a Reading shirt, we are motivated to produce. We train over the next three days and we have to make sure we're spot on in training. Everyone in that group will support each other, the staff, the players - playing or not playing - and that's part of the DNA of Reading. We are a football club where we support each other.

"Two or three games ago we were unbeaten in six - we need to get back on a little run and it starts on Saturday."