When it comes to being an underdog, Liam Moore is well-versed.
Reading go into this Saturday’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Fulham as huge outsiders to eventually triumph at Wembley and reach the Premier League.
Some bookmakers are offering odds of 5/1 for the Royals to be a top tier club come August, despite them entering the play-offs as the top seed after finishing third in the table.
But having spent last season at Premier League champions Leicester City, Moore, 24, knows all about defying the doubters.
“Being an underdog is an enjoyable place to be,” said the centre-back.
“Not many people thought we’d be where we are this season, but the stats don’t lie.
“We finished in third position, it’s been a fantastic season and if people want to write us off without a ball being kicked in the play-offs, then that’s fine.
“The pundits and bookmakers are not always correct.
“I was around a 5000/1 miracle last season, so I don’t really look too much into odds.
“Let the best squad win over the two games.”
While Moore was part of the Leicester squad during the last campaign, he had to watch on from the sidelines with the likes of Wes Morgan and Robert Huth selected ahead of him.
And having been promoted with the Foxes in 2014 and featured in the top flight during the start of the 2014/15 campaign, Moore says not being involved last season gave him the hunger to fight back and reach the Premier League again.
“I had a very tough 18 to 20 months,” he admitted.
“The club decided to send me on loan to Bristol (in September 2015), which wasn’t ideal.
“It wasn’t good timing for personal reasons with the birth of my child and I was 300 miles away.
“It didn’t work out great for me. I came back to Leicester, tried to work hard and last season I was around it and they were doing fantastic.
“It wasn’t even a case of knocking on the gaffer’s door and asking if I’m going to get a chance or not because they were flying.
“I just patiently sat there and watched the amazing story that unfolded around me.”
He added: “Being there for 16 or 17 years to see it but not be a part of it put a bit of fire in my belly definitely.
“I remember saying to my missus at this time last year that I’m going to try and write my own history this year.
“With the help of my team-mates, so far we’ve done that. Nobody expected us to be here.
“We’re here now and we’re three games away from the big time, so let’s hopefully do that.”
