Ivar, the last league game was a disappointing result and after four games a disappointing start to the season?
Yeah that has to be said. Obviously we would like to have better results - two points after four games is not what we really wanted - but I think it has to be said that this is a young team and it needs time. You don't want to make too many excuses about it, it is just a fact and it will take time for the team to gel. But for me Saturday was by far the best we've played so far, so it feels like we're going in the right direction.
Certainly you have to be happy with the hunger for instance and the ambition - because they are obviously a very ambitious group of youngsters aren't they?
Yeah they are and like I said, I don't want to make too many excuses for them because they don't need it. But the facts are facts - they are young, I know that - but they also have to learn quickly. We want to be a tough team in this league and if they want to move that team forward, we have to learn quickly and get results because football is a game of results. We all know that, they know that and I'm sure it will turn around and the results will go our way. We also have experienced players like Harps, Brynjar, Marek and all those and the manager knows that, but this is the chance for those players to turn it around - he has stuck with them - and they have to repay him back.
Do you think come next May that Reading will be competing for a place in the Premier League and looking for a promotion spot?
Yes, I think so. I've heard a lot of people saying there is no chance of that but if I was thinking that then I would quit and the players would quit - I don't think that's the mentality of anyone. It takes time and I think we have seen from last season, we were top three or something in January - it didn't count for anything in the end. There were teams who were struggling in the beginning or had a good start, but didn't really count in May time. It's 46 games and you have to play 46 games, and then we will find out where we are going to end.
A quick word about your fitness because obviously you're one of the experienced players in the squad who could make a difference.
You were going to say I was old weren't you! No, it's going fine, it's just the injury I had - it takes a certain time to get stronger and I just have to wait my time. I feel good, I'm training well but it just needs a little more time and for me, I'm just following what the doctors have told me to do and that's what I have to do.
So are you in full training now?
I'm getting very close to full training. I'm training roughly four football sessions a week and an extra gym session - the only thing I am missing now is games. I hope I will get better soon and then when that is done have a couple of reserves games, then I will be fit and hopefully able to compete for a place in the team.
