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Jason Roberts and Nicky Shorey traing with Reading FC in Portugal

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McDermott: Reading FC still have a lot of work to do

By Jonny Fordham
July 25, 2012

Reading left "too much work on the training pitch" as they lost 2-0 to Sheffield Wednesday, according to manager Brian McDermott.

Two late goals in either half by Mike Jones and Chris O'Grady won the game for Dave Jones' side in Albuefeira.

But McDermott is looking to bounce back on Friday against Portuguese Premiera Liga side Sporting Clube Olhanense, managed by Sérgio Conceição.

He said: "It's good that we had another 45 minutes and got a lot of work under our belt.

"But we left a lot of work on the training pitch and Friday is another game for us.

"I'm looking forward to getting back to what we're good at.

"It's more important to me to get my team right and we still obviously have an awful lot to do.

"We will probably play 60/30 in the next two games and then after that we will be looking more to the game against Stoke."

Pavel Pogrebnyak made his Reading debut alongside Adam Le Fondre in the second half and he will get another step closer to match fitness from more game time on Friday.

"It was great to see Pavel get his first 45 minutes for Reading and you can see he is a quality player," added McDermott.

"We're looking forward to working with him."

Right-back Chris Gunter will have another scan on his injured ankle today and he is unlikely to play until Reading return to England on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Adam Federici will also not feature as he is given time to recover from a rib injury and a summer spent with Australia.

His understudy Alex McCarthy (quad) could be fit to step in against Olhanense, but midfielder Jem Karacan will play no part as he is brought back gradually from breaking his ankle.

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Most recent user comments 9 of 9

They were a Pardew gimmick!

JJB
17/09/2012 at 12:07

We need more creativity in the centre of midfield. Think we need to buy again. Our defense was great last season. So what! We are in the premier league now. We will not be playing against strike forces that couldn't hit a barn door at two paces. We will not keep so many blank sheets. I can not see us being out of the bottom 6 in the premier league. Too many 100 percenters in the middle and not enough flair. Agree with Champs. Teams in the prem will work us out quick if all we are going to be is a defend, hump it and run team all game! Perhaps we might score from a set piece.. oh dear!

poru, Bournemouth
25/07/2012 at 23:02

Goals from open play are required - hoof and run doesn't really encourage that.

Champs
25/07/2012 at 20:23

Anyone know if they still have those placads up in the changing room? There were are few other randomly chosen words too if I remember right. "Can we squeeze?" stood out...

Hopeful Hoops, Reading
25/07/2012 at 13:41

Lets also bring back the Tenacity, Spirit & Flair t-shirts.......wonder how many people on here remember them?

Reading1987
25/07/2012 at 13:35

Yep...loved that ethos. Hope they still employ it.

Lester Crinklesack
25/07/2012 at 12:49

Think 45 mins in that heat so early on in pre-season would be plenty! Wobbly is right, got to build it up as don't want to over do it and risk a injury, thus having to start all over again. I'm sure with the great backroom staff we have, Reading FC will be the one of the fittest teams in the PL......anyone remember those t-shirts Pardew did stating that?

Reading1987
25/07/2012 at 12:35

I don't think it is about playing together, I perceive it is about getting match fitness / sharpness? If they are knackered after 45 mins there is no benefit (in fact risk an injury?) by playing the 2nd half. Hence he will play the first string for 60 mins next game, and build / go from there? I agree the playing together thing will be delayed but I guess they can also work on that in training?

Wobbly Bob
25/07/2012 at 12:30

This playing a different team in each half puzzles me. Surely it would be better to play one team against Sheff Wed and another against the next opponents. You get a better understanding of players if they have a longer time on the pitch.