Hunt praises Reading’s ‘underdog mentality.’

Noel Hunt, the manager of Reading, has commended his team’s “underdog mentality” as they fight both on and off the pitch.

The Royals are vying for a berth in League One’s top six on the pitch, but off it, the club’s long-term prospects are uncertain due to several failed takeover attempts.

The club is still owned by its distant owner, Dai Yongge, who has stated in remarks that he is still determined to sell Reading as soon as possible.

Hunt’s team has the third-best home record in League One this season and is four points outside the top six.

“I can’t fault these boys for their effort, passion and desire,” Hunt told BBC Radio Berkshire.

“An underdog mentality is a massive thing that we have at the football club. We speak about out-fighting and out-working other teams; it’s part of our DNA.

“It’s important that we have that, and it’s what we speak about to people that come into the building, so they understand what we’re about. I think the boys have been great, and they have built a real togetherness.

“They all take ownership out there; in reality, there is one captain, but really we have 15 or 16 captains in this squad; they’re all fighting for each other.”

Hunt took over as Reading boss in early December as Ruben Selles departed for Championship side Hull City.

Since then he has won five league matches, with four of those victories coming at the SCL Stadium.

“I’m just focusing on controlling what we can control,” Hunt added.

“I just try to concentrate on the day-to-day, and for me, that means Birmingham this weekend.

“I try to keep a short-term focus and I think it is suiting me quite well, I don’t want to look too far into the future because in this game you don’t know what could be around the corner.”

Birmingham City, the leaders of League One, will visit the SCL Stadium on Saturday.

Reading, who have won nine of their previous twelve league home games, will try to upset the Blues, who have won their last fifteen games.

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