PAUL McSHANE remains confident that Reading can still enjoy a successful season.
It has been an inconsistent campaign for last season’s beaten play-off finalists, summed up by the that they sit 14th in the Championship, 10 points off the top six and 10 points clear of the bottom three.
But captain McShane retain the faith that the Royals can gatecrash this year’s play-off party again.
“It’s been frustrating and disappointing,” admitted the skipper.
“We’ve got to put this first half of the season behind us and totally focus on what’s coming up and climb back up that table as quick as we can.
“It’s been disappointing but I still believe we can drag it back.
PODCAST: Tom and Olly preview the festive fixtures
“It’s about focussing on what’s coming ahead now and not dwelling on the past.
“But yeah it’s been frustrating because I feel at times we have played better than last season.
“I don’t like to blame luck really but we’ve been conceding bad goals that can definitely be avoided.
“I think at times last season we had done that but we sort of got away with it a little bit but this year we’re not getting away with it.”
He added: “I think sometimes it’s been a lack of concentration in games, people not being switched on enough and you need a little bit of luck but I don’t like to rely on luck.
“The Cardiff game (2-2 draw), I think there was a few games last season where we’ve seen those games out but the law of averages is sometimes they do come back and Cardiff got the equaliser.
“There’s still loads of points to play for and I believe we can still drag the season back.”
Manager Jaap Stam is set for three early Christmas presents with his Reading squad preparing for an injury boost.
The Royals could welcome John Swift, Garath McCleary and George Evans back into the
squad for this Saturday’s home clash with Burton Albion, the 500th game at Madejski Stadium.
Evans (thigh) has been out since September, McCleary (groin) has not played since victory at Leeds in October while Swift (hamstring) has been missing since November.
All three are back in training and even if they are not risked for the visit of the Brewers, all should have a part to play over the busy festive period where Reading play four games in 11 days.
“You need to take care and it doesn’t mean that because these players are coming back that they need to start straightaway,” said Stam.
“You talk to the physios as well and see how long can they play, is it an hour or is it how we did with Yann (Kermorgant) as well, 45 minutes or maybe less.
“That’s how we approach these players.
“But with the amount of games that we have in a certain period, we can leave them out for one and let them work a little bit more on the training ground to get fit and bring them into the squad for other games.”
Reading sit 14th in the Championship following their 2-0 loss at Ipswich Town and it is set to be a memorable afternoon at the Mad Stad on Saturday when Burton come to town (3pm).
A packed house is expected for the 500th game played at the stadium since it opened in 1998, with tickets sold across the stadium for just £5.
“From what I’ve heard it’s a sell-out, so that’s nice,” said Stam.
“It’s always nice for the players, for the club and for the fans that are always there.
“The atmosphere because of that is normally better as well.”
He added: “Burton is a good team.
“They’re very solid, they work very hard and have got a certain energy and ability as well.
“Playing against these teams is not easy. The manager has done a great job over there keeping them up in the league.”
A late decision will be made on whether or not to include goalkeeper Vito Mannone, who was due to return from Italy on Wednesday following compassionate leave after the death of his mother.
