LIAM MOORE admits he is relieved that the transfer window has now closed.
After a stellar first season at Reading, Moore was linked with a move away both in the summer and again in January with West Ham United and Celtic among the club linked.
Stam warns disgruntled fans not to expect a change of playing style
No bids materialised and Moore remains a Reading player and will play a key role in the
club’s battle to avoid relegation when Championship action returns at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
“There was a bit of speculation and I was asked about it a few times,” he said.
“I’m kind of glad the transfer window is closed because I had a conversation about a month ago about it with the media and I think I kind of got a bit misunderstood.
“I was asked if I could play at that level (Premier League) and I said I would like to think I can play at that level, would I want to play at that level, again yes I would like to because that’s what everybody’s aiming for.
“Everybody wants the top but nothing happened and that’s the way it is.
“I’m happy at Reading. I like to work hard here and I want to get this club up the table.
“I’ve always tried to maintain that as well and it’s a good thing now because there doesn’t need to be any talk whether he is going or not going, I’m here and I want to fight for the club.”
He added: “On the outside world I don’t really listen to too much.
“But I have been asked the question four or five times, am I going or not going.
“If there was a bid to go in, that’s down to the club.
“I can only control what I can control and that’s my performances.
“It’s closed now and the same applies.
“I guess in the summer there might be more speculation, I don’t know, but it’s just about what I do here and hopefully try and do well for the club.”
Moore backs “mentally strong” Tyler Blackett to recover quickly from fan boos
With new signing Tommy Elphick now joining captain Paul McShane on the treatment table, Moore is set to be the leading centre-back for the next few weeks.
And the 25-year-old admits he does feel some extra responsibility to help turn the season around.
“I’ve got to be a big voice,” said Moore.
“We’ve got a lot of injuries in that department at the minute.
“Last season we were lucky with injuries. When teams are going well you normally look at a string of four or five games of the same starting 11.
“We’ve not managed that for a long while now. But we just need to dig in.
“There’s people that can fill in and the sooner we get those players back the better.”
He added: “I thought Tommy settled very well, not only on the pitch but in the dressing room as well.
“Personally I was disappointed because I felt like I had a good understanding with him very quickly in the Burton game and he started very well against Millwall.
“It was a big blow.”
COLUMN: Roddy appointment shows long-term ambition from Royals owners
