Reading FC

Ian Harte has warned Reading FC’s Premier League rivals that there will be no easy points on offer at Madejski Stadium
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Ian Harte: Reading FC will fight to the very end

By Jonny Fordham
February 01, 2013

Ian Harte has warned Reading’s Premier League rivals that there will be no easy points on offer at Madejski Stadium.

The underdogs are fired up for their relegation battle and have now gone five league and cup games without defeat.

Brian McDermott’s side will be looking to sink their teeth into Sunderland next at the Mad Stad tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

And former Black Cats full-back Harte said: “In the first half of the season we didn’t have the best of starts, but we have given ourselves a fighting chance now.

“Long may that continue. We need to make this ground a fortress. We have made sure that any team that has come here, if they are going to go away with the three points they are really going to have to battle.

“We need to make sure we are ready to come out of the blocks quickly against Sunderland.”

After Wednesday’s dramatic late point at home to European Champions Chelsea, Reading will go into Saturday in high spirits.

“It was a fantastic point to take us out of the relegation zone and we will be out to get the three points tomorrow,” continued Harte.

“We weren’t really at the races at times during the Chelsea game and we knew we had to come back and give our best.

“When they got the second it looked like it was over and done with, but it just goes to show the fighting spirit we have.”

Supersub Adam Le Fondre was once again the man stealing all the headlines with his late brace to pile yet more pressure onto Blues’ underfire interim manager Rafa Benitez.

Royals’ ability to come back from the dead has earned them countless crucial points this season, and Harte isn’t quite sure how they manage to keep on doing it.

“Ask Alfie – he’s the one who keeps sticking them away,” he said.

“It’s amazing, I’m sure Reading will be happy because his price will be going up all the time.

“Hopefully he can continue doing that as it will help the whole team along. We just keep fighting for our lives. This is the best league in the world and we want to stay in it.

“We will go on into the 95th minute if we have to try and get the points.”

And Harte, who is out of contract in the summer, is unsure of what his future holds.

The 35-year-old added: “I’ve no idea (where I will be next year).

“The only ones who can answer that is the gaffer or the board. I’m just trying to help the team and to stay in the Premier League.

“If I could stay on I would be delighted.”

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Most recent user comments 11 of 11

Tbh boys Sunderland was a game if were gunna stay up we had to get something. The players/manager would of thought the same. But to go and win a crunch shows boll*ks the boys are giving everything let's back em

Urz Urz
03/02/2013 at 00:29

Please lets play 4-4-2 today.

We only score when we play 4-4-2

?

well, well, well
02/02/2013 at 10:14

I'll agree with you about Roberts.. I believe he signed thinking a comfortable 2 years in the championship taking the money and building his TV work up before moving on Now that he need to show it in the Premiership he cannot...

A. XYZ
01/02/2013 at 23:01

Splitting Hairs

I re-phrase i feel certain, just like i feel certain J Roberts came to Reading just for the money.

But as you say only one thing is certain and thats when the fat lady sings.

Charles Thorn, Tilehurst
01/02/2013 at 22:16

Charles Thorn, Tilehurst

Certain win against Sunderland,

Since when has anything Certain .. I'll hope for a win..

A. XYZ
01/02/2013 at 20:35

Certain win against Sunderland, after playing a quality Chelsea side and finishing like that they must be up for it. I am not a Chelsea fan but they all were top quality players but did not gel. Come on Reading get stuck in and be proud.

Charles Thorn, Tilehurst
01/02/2013 at 20:18

lol Big P

Depends who is on the bench.

Sunderland will be a bigger test for us. Unlike Chelsea, we ARE expecting something from the game.

Heads down boys, do what you do best and stay above that dotted line!

Crane God
01/02/2013 at 20:02

Anybody else thinking of staying in the bar til the 85 minute tomorrow?!

Big P, Reading
01/02/2013 at 19:49

we'd be in a better position by a country mile if we'd have held on to our leads and not bothered with any comebacks

last chance saloon
01/02/2013 at 16:54

Funny how just a few weeks ago it was acknowledged how often we were taking the lead in a game and then drawing or losing.

Did we not feel very sorry for ourselves after Man City.

It somehow seems better to get 1 point when we were 2 - 0 down than a draw when we were previously in the lead - it's a funny old game!