Every week ex-Reading goalkeeper Steve Mautone will be delivering
his word on the Royals exclusively on Hob Nob Anyone?
Steve, who now plays for Ryman Premier side Slough Town, will be remembered
as Reading's popular first choice 'keeper after signing from West Ham for £250,000
in March 1997. Mauts went on to make 34 first team appearances for the Royals
before suffering from a knee injury which hampered his career in the football
league.
1 May 2001
"Play-Offs Here We Come!"
Five years on and we're back in the play-offs.
Lets just hope that the lads can do it this time.
I have every confidence in the coaching staff and the players to do the job at hand. Like I said last week, I am confident that, whoever we face in the semis and then in the final, we can win. And what a party Reading will have.
That is what every fan, player and official should have in their minds. Too many people are negative about the fact that Reading did not get automatically promoted. That has passed and we all need to think positive about what the lads face next.
Colchester was always going to be a difficult game.
The pressure on the boys would have been so intense and really you can’t blame them for just this game. Reading have squandered too many opportunities throughout the season, which left them an uphill battle for second or even first place. Remember Bristol City home and away, Colchester at home and the two draws just recently at Luton and Cambridge. It is a tough, long season and consistency is the key.You also need a bit of luck, which the boys didn’t have on Saturday. How the hell the ref saw any offense for the penalty is beyond me. I’m sure that when he sees the replay, he will be ashamed of his decision.
I know that the lads will want to put in a good performance for the last game of the season in front of the last home crowd of the season before the play-offs against Bournemouth, who also have a lot to play for. The lads will want to finish on a high to give themselves every confidence for the play-offs and I’m sure they will.
My prediction, for what it’s worth, will be a win for the Royals by 3 goals to 1.
And remember, they say that the play-offs are a lottery but someone has to win - so lets hope it’s the Royals.
Mauts.
Steve Mautone
(ex. Reading Player & avid supporter)
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