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Saturday, 25 March 2006, 18:06 GMT

Royals ascent

By Dan Warren

Bobby Convey Reading have sealed a place in English football's top tier for the first time in their 135-year history.

Their all-conquering season has made promotion a seeming inevitability for months, and was confirmed at Leicester on Saturday.

It has been a brilliant season for Steve Coppell's side. The rampant Royals have won more games, garnered more points, scored more goals and lost fewer times than any other side in the top four divisions so far this season.

Reading's 22-year-old winger Bobby Convey tells BBC Sport how and why the club has swept all before them this season.

THE MANAGER

Steve Coppell doesn't bother you, he leaves you be if you're doing well. But if you need anything he is there.

"On the training ground he's a bit less quiet than when he is speaking to the media"
Bobby Convey on Reading boss Steve Coppell

But he is not in your face. He's been great so far - he gives people time off when they need time off - he's managed us well.

This is the team he wanted. He has the guys in the positions that he wants and he deserves the credit for how we play.

On the training ground he's obviously a bit different than he is when he is speaking to the media. He seems a lot quieter then.

But he thinks about what he's going to say before he says it and he helps you out with a lot of stuff.

It is key to have a manager who you can speak to and who you know is supportive of you.

THE MENTALITY

We are doing so well, we just have the mentality of the manager to take it game by game, three points by three points.

I know everyone thinks it's annoying that he never talks about promotion, he just talks about the next three points and being happy at the end of the season.

That's something we've taken on board. Last season, we dropped a few points around this time and we don't want to do that again.

We have a different mentality now, we have a better team, we're scoring goals and we're defending really well.

Obviously when you're winning you're happy and those little mistakes here and there go away.

THE CUTTING EDGE

We have three forwards - Kevin Doyle, Dave Kitson and Leroy Lita - who have all reached double figures in terms of goals.

And we have scored regularly from midfield - last year I don't think we even got two goals from wingers.

It's been great - us scoring takes the pressure off our defenders, because the more the ball is up front, the less they have to defend.

THE STABILITY

This season has been the hardest - with the World Cup at the end of the year, the games have been crammed in a little bit.

It's been a little bit difficult at times, but I think we've been lucky not to have too many injuries.

The gaffer likes to play his same team that wins all the time and gets used to each other, and I think that's what we've been able to do.

We've had that with key players who have played together a lot, and got to know each other and gel well together.

THE CHAIRMAN

The chairman has set up a great facility, the stadium is unbelievable, we have the fan base now.

I think that the chairman has set it up really well. He's put a lot of money into the club. It's a great place to play.

If teams have come in for our players, we don't have to sell. That's been good, that has helped us keep players which is a lot easier.

You only get better when you play with the same guys.




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Related to this story:

Leicester 1-1 Reading (25 Mar 06 |  Championship )
Coppell pays tribute to players (25 Mar 06 |  Reading )
Reading's rags to riches (25 Mar 06 |  Reading )
Royal seal of approval (24 Mar 06 |  Reading )
Jason Roberts column (23 Mar 06 |  Football )
History in the making for Downs (23 Mar 06 |  Reading )

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