‘IT’S THE BIGGEST GAME OF THE SEASON’
ROYALS FACE PLAY-OFF RIVALS IN CRUNCH MATCH
VELJKO Paunović labelled Reading’s Friday evening clash at Barnsley as the ‘biggest game of the season’ as they go head-to-head with a fellow play-off rival.
The Royals boss has used the international break to get the team ready and says the squad know what they need to do.
“We are aware of what it means to the group, our fans and the club.
“That (break) has been very helpful and we have focused towards building the enthusiasm and momentum towards the upcoming games.”
Royals have eight vital games left to secure a place in the top-six, with their first test coming against fifthplaced Barnsley. A win tomorrows would see the squad leapfrog them to fifth place.
Seventh placed Bournemouth had a game in hand and superior goal difference.
“I’ve been in battles like this before,” continued Paunović.
“Thanks to our hard work, we have put ourselves in this position.
“We have to embrace the challenges and be at our best in the eight games. The situation we are in is due to fantastic application from the group all season.
“Now we have to convert it.”
The Royals boss also confirmed positive news on the injury front concerning John Swift, Michael Morrison and Andy Yiadom.
“The list of injured players is slowly going down. For Swift, we are looking for him to be involved in the next couple of weeks but not for Barnsley.
“He (Swift) is in the final stages of recovery but it will be too soon for this Friday, but the next couple of weeks he will be an option.”
“Morrison and Yiadom are back in training and we are assessing their situations daily and we will make a last minute decision for Friday.
“We have to be careful with the work load and how much we do and focus resources towards getting us prepared, sharp and focused on performances.
“I feel very enthusiastic but we have to keep our feet on the ground and remind ourselves we haven't done anything yet.
“We know what the sacrifices and how much we have been through, how much work and commitment. That has to be reminded to put us in the situation we are right now..
“In the group we have we all want to win and we have to channel that pressure.
“We are managing pressure and managing properly and channelling that enthusiasm again.”
Both teams go into the contest in the play-off places, Reading in sixth on 62 points and Barnsley in fifth on 64 points, however with seventh-placed Bournemouth following close behind with a game in hand to play on 59 points.
The Tykes had been in superb form which has seen them shoot up the table in recent months and become a strong contender to finish in the play-offs.
Valérien Ismaël’s side had been on a stunning run of 12 games without defeat in the Championship before they suffered a shock defeat against relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday prior to the international break.
Barnsley have become a transformed side since they last faced Reading, back in September when the Royals ran out as 2-0 winners.
Reading took full advantage after Michal Helik was sent-off just before half-time and took the lead through Yakou Méïté.
Barnsley were then reduced to nine players as Mads Anderson was shown a second yellow card and Michael Olise sealed the three points with a pinpoint volley from outside the box.
Cauley Woodrow has been the Tykes’ most dangerous player in attack this season with 11 goals and four assists from 34 matches this season.
The two teams have near-identical records in the league this season, with Reading on 18 wins, eight draws and 12 defeats, while Barnsley have a record of 19 wins, seven draws and 12 losses.
The Royals have scored three more goals this season with 52, while Barnsley have conceded just one more goal than Reading with 42, but are two points above after their outstanding recent run of form has seen them emerge as surprise promotion candidates.
"We have eight finals. We have to be at our best,” said Reading boss Veljko Paunović.
“We have to adjust and recover with enthusiasm to find form moving onto Barnsley.
credit to the players and the group for getting through that difficult stretch with injuries tremendous credit to the players.
"Also, big credit to our performance staff - our fitness coaches and medical staff who have done a great job and helped make our job easier during those difficult times.
"But definitely, we have to look at what we have in the next eight games - or four weeks as that is where our season is going to be decided."
The Royals then have just two days to prepare for their next fixture when they host Wayne Rooney’s Derby County side at the Madejski Stadium on Monday.
England’s all-time international top scorer took the reigns at the Rams, stepping back as a player to become manager after former boss Phillip Cocu was dismissed from his position in November.
Derby have had a torrid season and have ben involved in a tense relegation battle. They have just eight games left to try and secure their Championship status. County are currently in 19th position in the table, but just five points clear of safety before they host Luton Town on Friday.
Derby are dangerously close to the drop zone and may find themselves in further trouble if Rotherham United, who occupy the final relegation place, pick up points in any of their four games in hand.
Rooney’s side earned impressive draws against both Barnsley and Brentford, but are now on a run of seven games in the Championship without victory.
Reading faced Derby on the opening day of the 2020/21 Championship season and picked up three points on the road for the first time under Paunović with a 2-0 win at Pride Park courtesy of goals from Lucas João and Ovie Ejaria.