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.
2 April 2001
"Sign Of A Good Team"
The sign of a good team is a team that bounces back from a poor result and wins not only one but two on the spin. I suppose the saving grace from last week was that Rotherham lost, so the boys are still in with a good chance for that automatic promotion place. This is very important because from my own experience, play-offs for promotion can be very nerve racking, and as most loyal royals will remember anything can happen in a play-off game.
The game at Swindon was a fantastic result regardless of how the team played. Remember, Swindon is fighting for their Division two survival, so they had everything to play for too. Phil Whitehead deserves a mention for his contribution to the win. He was the man of the match and a tower of strength as usual for the Royals. At this stage of the season, a goalkeeper in form is so important to the confidence of the team. And as the saying goes "confidence breads confidence."
Speaking of confidence, Parky is just oozing confidence. On his 500th appearance on Saturday against Notts County, Parky showed the 11,000 + crowd, the coaching staff, the top knobs up stairs and the chairman why he should be first in line when contract negotiations begin. As usual he led by example, winning every tackle and geeing the lads up all game.
It was good to see Butler and Cureton teaming up to make Readings strike force and hasn't it paid off for Alan Pardew. The record speaks for itself. The make a good partnership up front.
Now for my tips for the up coming games. I know I haven't got one right yet but I am getting closer. Last week, I did predict two wins, I just can't get the scores right. So this week I think the lads will have a hard fought battle at Luton with a 1-0 win and away to Cambridge on Saturday will be a little harder but they will steal one point with a 2-2 draw.
Hope you enjoy the games and remember, the boys need all your positive support.Mauts.
Steve Mautone
(ex. Reading Player & avid supporter)
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