READING FC interim boss Noel Hunt has tasked his team to ‘keep cool and stick to the game plan’ in their vital match against Wigan Athletic.
The Royals go into the game in 22nd place in a precarious position with their position in the Championship under serious threat with two games to go.
Reading desperately need points to improve their situation before they play relegation rivals Huddersfield Town on the final day, while Wigan have to win on Saturday to keep their survival hopes alive.
“Not many people gave us a chance in the last three games. The way we’ve performed and worked for each other it will be no different.
“Everyone knows It’s a big game for both teams. The players know that and they are all really switched on. It’s about focusing on how we can hurt Wigan.
“We’re used to being underdogs. We were for all of the time I was here as a player and I want us to go with the mentality that we will out run, out work and out fight teams.
“We have to fight with everything we’ve got to get three points on the day.
“The nerves before games will never leave. It’s been overwhelming, the support.
“As a coach, you always want to do more but it’s important not to drown them as well. It’s about giving them clear messages and they’ve responded really well and are in good spirits.
“The key thing is that we’re at home so it’s about getting the crowd behind us, which I know they will be.
“We’ve got to keep believing, keep pushing and keep fighting. The boys have put in the work this week and hopefully we can bring it to the table on Saturday.”
The Royals boss is expecting a tough test from Wigan who need to win the match at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Reading won the reverse fixture between the teams 1-0 thanks to a Tom Ince free-kick.
Hunt continued: “At the end of the day we’re playing football for a living and it’s an honour. These are the moments you really feel alive and 100% emotion in the game.
“It’s about keeping cool and sticking to the game plan and understanding what we need to do to win.
“We both need them (the points). We know they’re going to come at us hell for leather and I wouldn’t expect anything else.
“They’re a good footballing side. They’ve gone to a back three and like to keep possession.
“There will be spells where they might have the ball, but that’s no problem, we just need to stick to our game plan and understand what our roles are.”
