By Matthew Grant and Mark Sugar
February 19 2004

In the second of our Exclusive interviews, 1871royals.co.uk talks to Steve Brown about the game against Gillingham, how Reading's season will go and how his injury is.

1. Firstly Browny, how’s the injury?

 “Poor, well very poor. I am not going to know the outcome for a couple of days but its doubtful.” 

2. Saturday is a big game for us; a good performance is needed after Rotherham.

 “Rotherham was a disaster and the Gillingham game away has been a long time in coming to rectify it.” 

3. How does the manager approach these games against “smaller” clubs because our record is poor compared to when we play the bigger teams?

“No he approaches each game the same way and prepares by doing the same stuff.. We always seem to play better against better sides mainly because they show us less respect.” 

4. In terms of your form this season, how do you feel you’ve done with obviously AP leaving, SC coming in and then your injury problems and the signing of Ivar Ingimarsson?

“Up and down like the team. When results have been poor generally my form has been as well but when we have had some good results my form as been better.” 

5. Can we cope without Nicky Forster?

 “Yes, yes we can.” 

6. Is the team morale still good despite the performance against Rotherham?

 “Morale is good. We are not far off from where we were last season.” 

7. Gillingham will be a good test for us, what kind of battle do you expect?

 “Well we have tended to do well against Gillingham in the past. It will be a difficult test for us.” 

8. You will be without your regular defensive partner with Adrian Williams suspended, are you confident we have enough cover in the squad to cope?

“Maybe not! We are lacking in defence and Ivar may also not be available.”

  

Thanks Steve