Pards: Lofty Position No Surprise
Last updated : 09 November 2002 By Rob Cooper
 | Alan Pardew |
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The Royals have taken to the First Division by storm this season and currently occupy an impressive sixth place.
Reading have won five out of their last six matches to storm into the play-off places but Royals boss Alan Pardew certainly isn't suffering from vertigo, admitting he isn't surprised by his sides league placing.
He told BBC Radio Berkshire: "My players haver got a good attitude and are playing with no fear this season. I felt we were the best team in Division Two last season, although we didn't win the title, other factors prevented that.
"The team are much more relaxed this season and it's no surprise that we're doing so well. It's vitally important now that we keep everyone fit.
"At the moment our form suggests that we'll be threatening the play-off places at the end of the season."
Following on from today's win at Gillingham the Royals face another tough game at Bramall Lane next weekend against seventh place Sheffield United.
The Blades have also proved themselves a better side than the media think them to be with some superb performances.
Alan Pardew is not underestimating the size of the task his team face next weekend. The Yorkshiremen recently knocked footballing giants Leeds United out of the Worthington Cup.
Pardew commented: "Bramall Lane is another tough place to go and play but we're confident that if we play like we did today we'll get a result."