Reading Football Club News

• Nickname:Royals
• Founded:1871
• Manager:Brian McDermott

• Ground:Madejski Stadium
• Capacity:24,200

Marcus shocked by success

10 Apr 2007 - 16:36:14

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Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann believes the Royals squad have surprised even themselves with their excellent first season in the top-flight of English football.

The 34-year-old USA international has helped Reading to tenth place in the Premiership and, although their European hopes are all but over, Hahnemann says his team can be proud of their efforts.

He commented: "Because we finished last year so strongly, even after we had won the Championship, we never took our foot off the gas.

"We took a lot of pride in that - just winning the next game. That was one of the mottos that the manager keeps talking about.

"Maybe we were a little bit naive about who we were playing against at the start of the Premiership season.

"But perhaps being like that and thinking we could do so well has meant we have even surprised ourselves by how well we have done.

"Everyone thought we would do well, but the start we have had and in the manner we did it was beyond belief."