McDermott emphasises the great jump by the Royals

Reading manager Brian McDermott has been keen to emphasis how far the club has come in recent years, despite their disappointing Premier League form.

The former Slough Town boss had led the Royals to the Premeir League for the first time in their history, but McDermott wants to remind the Royals fans about the massive jump they have made. Brian also makes reference to the time when he took over as manager, with Reading looming in the relegation zone in December 2009.

Speaking to the Official Reading FC website, McDermott said: 'As a club we've had a fantastic ten or eleven years, we want to do the best for our fans in every game, it's a good time to be a Reading supporter. Three years ago we were right at the bottom looking like we might go to League One and it's important to remember that.'

'It's amazing how far this club has come. Somebody said to me it doesn't get any easier because it's Everton next, but for me it doesn't get much better. If you think about it, Everton come here with a top manager, a top side. These are great times for Reading, and then it's Manchester United and Arsenal at home after that.'

For a manager that has always been first to emphasise the next game and not to look at the past or future, this does appear slightly ironic. However, us Reading fans do need to realise a relegation struggle was always going to be on the cards, as the Premier League really is a massive jump from Championship-standard football.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.