THE PARDEW COUNTDOWN: Madejski To Welcome The Hammers

Last updated : 01 April 2004 By Rob Cooper
John Madejski
John Madejski
Chairman John Madejski is hoping that there will be a lively atmosphere at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

The Royals chief, who has ploughed millions into the club, is calling for fans to back the club all the way this Saturday in order to aid them in their bid to achieve a top six finish.

Following the handing-out of 'song sheets' at the ground in February atmosphere has improved greatly and Madejski is hoping for more of the same this weekend.

"The fans have come alive, the passion and excitement in the stands is absolutely palpable and I thank them from the bottom of my heart," Madejski emotionally proclaimed.

!You can see the effects of it on the team. They are looking bright eyed and bushy tailed on the back of it," added the chairman, speaking to the official site.

Yet Madejski is hoping that the passion and enthusiasm doesn't spill over into a bloody battle both on and off the field. Fans are rightly incensed by Alan Pardew's autumn departure, but the club are calling for fans to direct their frustrations in a positive way.

"It's about sport and the point is that they are our guests and I want to treat them as such. That's the way we should behave," added Madejski.

But few will forget the manner in which Pards walked out on Reading last autumn. The 43-year-old walked out on the Royals, despite having a contract at the Madejski Stadium, to take charge of West Ham, a team hardly much above Reading in footballing terms.

At the time Madejski spoke at length of his disgust at the 'lack of loyalty' in football and it seems that time has done little to heal the wounds.

"There's no recriminations and stuff like that, because what's happened, has happened. I still don't approve of it, but nonetheless it's another game and we'll put our best foot forward," he said.

Meanwhile, livewire striker Nicky Forster could be in-line for a first team comeback for the visit of the Hammers. The 30-year-old played for nearly an hour for the reserves on Tuesday afternoon. Although Coppell could hand Fozzy a place on the bench, he is unlikely to play any great part following such a long spell out through injury.