McClaren gunning for play-off spot

01 May 2015 16:17

Derby manager Steve McClaren has vowed to attack against Reading as the Rams chase a Sky Bet Championship play-off spot.

A run of just two wins in six matches has seen the early-season favourites' campaign slip away, but they can still claim a play-off spot ahead of Brentford and Wolves with a point at the iPro Stadium.

And McClaren is confident his free-scoring side will have too much for the Royals.

He told the club's official website: "I think the players have shown in the last four games, especially in the three matches that we've drawn when we have come back from behind to get a point, that we have great character.

"They've fought, battled and scrapped to the stage where we are in control of our own destiny.

"We need to win the game this weekend and that's what we'll be focusing our efforts towards doing.

"This team can only play one way; we are attack-minded. We can't play for a draw or park the bus, we just have to go and play our own game and go for the win.

"If we do our job, it doesn't matter what happens elsewhere."

Derby come up against Steve Clarke's Reading side, who are without a win in 11 games and also suffered the disappointment of an FA Cup semi-final defeat at Wembley to bring a premature end to their season.

Clarke admitted it had been a tough few months, but suggested a win against Derby would be a good way to end the campaign.

"It'd be a little ray of sunshine for the players and the supporters," he told the Reading Chronicle. "The supporters are suffering as are the players but even a win won't mask a disappointing season.

"The players are hurting. No one likes to lose games and there'll be a reaction on Saturday."

Derby's closest rivals, Brentford, host Wigan in what could be Mark Warburton's final game in charge at Griffin Park.

Wolves are also at home and they face recently-relegated Millwall, but know an inferior goal difference places Brentford and Derby at an advantage.

Bournemouth will make sure of their promotion providing they avoid a 17-goal swing away at Charlton, and could pip Watford to the Championship title if they can better the Hornets' result against Sheffield Wednesday.

Ipswich only need a point at Blackburn to secure a play-off spot, while Leeds host Rotherham after a first win in seven against Wednesday last time out.

Nottingham Forest and Bolton close their seasons against Cardiff and Birmingham respectively, and Norwich are hoping to secure third place at home to Fulham.

The Canaries will be hoping Middlesbrough drop points at home to Brighton, and manager Lee Clark has banned his players from performing a lap of honour when relegated Blackpool take on Huddersfield.

Source: PA