Reading winger Glen Little believes the Royals can consolidate in their third year in the English Premiership. Having played over 200 games and scored a respectable 32 goals for Burnley, Little believes scoring nine points this month could be enough for Reading to distance themselves from the lower teams and secure their spot for another season. He said:
“We’ve got some tough but exciting games over Christmas – West Ham Portsmouth and Tottenham. If we can get a couple of good results against Birmingham and Sunderland, which are important matches, it will set us up for a nice Christmas.
“You want to win at least two or three (over the Christmas period). If we can win these next two then you would like to think that there won’t be any trouble. But if you don’t then you’re back to that position of looking over your shoulder checking the results.
“Over the last month we’ve lost quite a few games yet we’ve still seemed to stay in and around 12th place because everyone below kept on losing. We are desperate to get away from the trouble and, playing Birmingham and Sunderland, we know it’s a big week for us and we’ve got to try to get four or six points.
“Then you can look forward to Christmas, pick up a few points and then you’d like to think that in the New Year, with two or three more wins, you’re practically safe.”
Little, who is currently injured, also expressed his melancholy at being unavailable for such an important period.“It’s a bit strange,” he said. “Boxing Day matches are always exciting with a bit of a special atmosphere. There’s usually a bigger crowd and more of a buzz. There are players who are happy to miss out at Christmas, but I love that time of year.
“The games come thick and fast and last year was a great time for the club. It’ll be disappointing to miss out, but it’s something I’ve got to get used to. Hopefully next Christmas I’ll be involved.”
Can Reading stay up? Or after such an impressive season last year, will they bomb out like Wigan have done this year?