McDermott speaks of how attacking sub paid off

Reading manager Brian McDermott has admitted that he was glad that he decided to make the attacking substitution that near enough won the Royals the game last night.

With 25 minutes to go in the game, the Royals boss decided to bring on Adam Le Fondre for midfielder Jay Tabb. This decision turned out to be a crucial one as Alfie was to be the hero, scoring two goals in the last 15 minutes to win the game against Southampton and to take Reading to the top of the league.

McDermott told the official site: 'Tabby hasn't played for while, he was playing with an injury and he did a great job for us. In that situation you just look at the game and at all square I didn't just want to nick a 1-1 draw. I wanted to win, I thought it was a positive substitution and it proved to be a good one.'

'It's about Le Fondre's finishes, and then things like Jimmy Kebe, back in our box heading balls like a centre half. That summed it all up for me. They're big moments, the details you have to get right. The players know how to win, what to do, we just send them out there and they're doing a fantastic job for our football club.'

The 3-1 victory over the Saints means the Royals are on the verge of a return to the Premier League for the first time in four years. Reading now currently sit in first place, nine points ahead of West Ham in third who have to play Brighton at home today. If the Hammers were to lose or draw in that game and Reading avoid defeat in their home game with Nottingham Forest, Reading would be promoted.

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