Reading's focus is on winning, says captain Jobi McAnuff

 
Feeling focused: Jobi McAnuff
30 March 2012

Reading captain Jobi McAnuff believes West Ham's continued complaints that they were disrespected earlier in the season at the Madejski will work against them tomorrow.

Former Hammers winger McAnuff was talking about the incident, during Reading's 3-0 win, when Jimmy Kebe appeared to be taking liberties when pulling up his socks while on the ball and was wiped out by Jack Collison - who was subsequently sent off.

McAnuff said: 'It gets focussed on too much. West Ham have taken issue with it.

'Our focus is on winning. If they want to focus on other factors, maybe that works better for us.'

Reading also believe they are cooler under pressure, having had no red cards this season, while the Hammers had two off against Reading alone and have regularly been reduced to 10 men.

Holding midfielder Mikele Leigertwood said: 'Our temperament is good. If we keep 11 on the pitch, we give ourselves a good chance.

'There is no point in getting frustrated and agitated.

'They will be physical and we have to match them. If we do that, we can frustrate them and their crowd. That might work against them.'

McAnuff reckons that the home fans could turn on manager Sam Allardyce if Reading get off to a better start, saying: 'If we start well, maybe get the frustration and nerves going a bit, we can use that to our advantage and hopefully ramp up the frustration a little bit.'

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