“I THINK things are starting to pick up for me.”
That is the assessment from Reading winger Callum Harriott as he continues to work his way further into Jaap Stam’s first team plans.
Harriott joined the club from Charlton Athletic in the summer but has struggled for starts with Garath McCleary and Roy Beerens regularly picked to play on the wings.
But the 23-year-old was handed his third league start in the 3-0 win at Wigan Athletic last time out, playing 82 minutes before being replaced by Dominic Samuel.
And the Londoner is happy with how his Reading career is progressing.
“I think things are starting to pick up for me,” said Harriott.
“I like the formation and style of football we’ve been playing which has been good.
“We’ve been getting the results as a team which is most important.
“I’ve got good competition in the team so I’m willing to keep working hard.”
He added: “I think it’s good for me as a young player (to compete with Beerens and
McCleary).
“It’s important to keep learning day to day and I think that’s what I’m doing.
“Obviously every player would say they’d like to play a bit more but it’s the manager’s decision.
“What’s most important is that we’ve been getting the three points and I think that’s what really matters.”
While league starts have been hard to come by, Harriott was a regular in the EFL Cup side which progressed to round four before losing 2-0 to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
The winger followed up starts against Plymouth Argyle, Milton Keynes Dons and Brighton and Hove Albion in the earlier rounds by being given the nod against the Gunners.
And he made a lively appearance, before being subbed off, up against full-back Carl Jenkinson, almost levelling the contest when his shot deflected just over the bar off centre-back Gabriel.
“Honestly yeah I thought that was going in,” he said.
“I think it was going top corner but it hit someone so I’m not going to say any more!
“The full-back I was up against was in my team back in Charlton, Carl Jenkinson, but I think he just came back from injury as well.
“It was disappointing for me to come off early in the second half but I’m sure there was a reason for it.
“I just try to give everything in the minutes I play.”
He added: “I was a good game to play in.
“I’ve been an Arsenal supporter since birth, I was born into that family.
“It was a good experience and I think we had one or two chances and in those games I think it’s important to learn.
“It was a good game, disappointing result, but a good game.”
