Pardew: We Need Goals, Goals, Goals!

Last updated : 01 October 2002 By Rob Cooper

Alan Pardew
Alan Pardew
Royals boss Alan Pardew has admitted that his side will need to score more goals in order to continue to do well in Division One.

Reading have netted a slightly disappointing twelve times in twelve matches. Just three of those goals have come in the past six games.

With quality strikers such as Jamie Cureton, Nicky Forster, Anthony Rougier, Martin Butler and Darius Henderson at the club you would expect the side that scored seventy goals on route to promotion last season to have a better record in front of goal.

Speaking to the Reading Evening Post Alan Pardew said: "We're working very hard at the moment. We need to keep looking at getting the ball in the area,and to keep working - then the goals will come."

Martin Butler has missed the last three matches whilst Jamie Cureton hasn't scored for seven games. With the favoured strike pairing of Butler and Cureton lacking form it could be advantage Darius Henderson.

The big striker, recently linked with a move to Middlesbrough, is ready to make his return from an ankle injury suffered six weeks ago.

Pardew added: "Darius is a fantastic footballer, but he keeps getting these injuries. His chance will come though, and he has to take it when he does."

Meanwhile, Reading's clash with Crystal Palace later this month could be called off because of international call-ups.