Reading FC

Midfielder Jay Tabb has played the last four games in defence
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Reading FC's Tabb looks at the positives

By Matthew Sadler
November 18, 2009

Jay Tabb revealed that the Reading squad will not be thinking about their 17-match winless streak at Madejski Stadium when they welcome Blackpool to Berkshire on Saturday.

Royals haven’t tasted league success on their own turf since beating Wolves back in January, but the midfielder turned right-back insists that confidence is high within the camp.

He said: “We have gone two unbeaten with a win and a draw and now we build on that starting with Blackpool.

“It is tough. They have a good manager there and he has gone in and done a good job.

“I don’t think anyone expected them to be up there where they are. They have done really well and obviously are working hard for each other.

“You need to have a bit of confidence and we won’t be going into the game thinking of our home record.

“We will be thinking we have had two good performances and let’s try and build on that.

“We are reminded of it all the time and we just have to think of the last two games where we played well and if we put another good performance in then there is no reason why we

can’t get the home win we need.

“It’s still quite close down there, it’s not as if we are adrift at the bottom.

“If we get a win then you climb out of the relegation zone and two wins on the bounce takes you up six or seven places.

“It’s not all doom and gloom. We are in the bottom three and no-one likes that, but we have had a couple of good performances and the aim is to build on that.”

Left-footed Tabb has impressed since filling in at right back and the 25-year-old admits he is learning more about the position every time he takes to the pitch.

He said: “I have to work off whoever is playing centre back next to me and as long as we communicate well and there is plenty of talking on the pitch then it should be ok.

“Part of the full-back’s role in the team is to push forward and I don’t know if I do it as much as Ryan (Bertrand) because I have to worry about what is behind me as well.

“If I get the chance to get forward then I will, but first of all I have to think about defending. I think I am learning and getting better at that every game.

“I am quite comfortable getting the ball at the back. I need to do some work on my right foot and I have been doing that with the manager in training.

“That is getting better, but overall I am enjoying the position and getting a run in the team.

“When I kick left-footed it is natural, but with the right you probably take that split-second longer and think about it a bit more.

“I just have to become a bit more natural with it, but I am quite confident with my right foot as well.”

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