James Fired Up For Reading

Despite the Royals having failed to register a victory in their last six home matches and the Foxes boasting the best away record in the division with 12 wins from 20, Nigel Pearson’s side are in for a real test, with the home side within striking distance of sixth spot. 

Brighton and Ipswich leapfrogged Reading into the top six at the weekend and now sit just one point ahead, meaning either a draw or a victory would put them back into the mix – behind Derby County, Queens Park Rangers and Wigan Athleitc. 

James insisted: “It will be all to play for. They’ll need a win to get in the play-offs and there will be a lot of pressure coming at them from numerous teams below them so it’ll be a good and difficult game. 

“We’ve got to go there with confidence and try to get the three points.

“Whoever you play at this stage in the season, it is going to be difficult. If you play any of the bottom teams, they’re going to be fighting for their lives and trying to stay in the league, and the same for those fighting for the play-offs. We’re looking forward to the challenge on Monday.” 

James sat out last Tuesday’s frustrating 4-1 home defeat to Brighton, but revealed that after a below-par display, the squad are focused and motivated to get back to the sort of performance that has seen them secure Premier League football for next season. 

He recalled: “It wasn’t where we wanted to be. We wanted to try to get the win in front of our fans, but it was just one of those days where nothing was going right for us and they took their chances. We’ve just got to forget about it now and look forward. 

“We’ve had a really good season, and it was just one of those days. We weren’t at the races really. 

“You can’t be too harsh on yourself, but we do set standards and to be promoted with six games left is a great achievement in itself, but we’ve got five games left and we want to try to win the league. 

“We’ve got back together as a group, put the defeat behind us and we’ll look to do what we’ve done all season and put a good performance in. 

“We’ve been promoted now, so we know we’ll be playing in the Premier League next season, so now it’s all about making sure we’ve got that gold medal around our necks. It’ll be something you can look back on in years to come and say you did win the Championship.”