Relegation countdown: Madesjki- It's out of our hands

Reading chairman John Madejski admits that rivals Fulham are in pole position to avoid relegation as the season reaches its conclusion.

Victory for the Cottagers at Portsmouth on Sunday would secure their place in the Premier League, sending Reading and Birmingham down, a situation that Madejski is all to aware of.

"If the status quo remains we will get relegated, so all we can do is play our hearts out for the sake of pride and professionalism," he said. "We must win against Derby. Whether that will be enough to avoid relegation is in the lap of the gods, but at least we'd be able to come out of it with some pride and dignity.

"The pressure is off us and on Fulham instead because they know they have got to win. Our destiny isn't in our hands any longer, but we need to perform for the pride of Reading Football Club and everybody associated with us."

Ironically, the chairman believes the Royals can learn a lesson from Fulham's impressively fluid performance at Madejski Stadium last month.

He said, "When Fulham came here a few weeks ago they were in the doldrums but they played with vim and vigour and didn't seem to be feeling any pressure. They just came and played, and that's what we have to do at Pride Park."

Finally, he had words of gratitude for Reading fans, saying: "I'd like to thank the supporters for all the help and encouragement they've given the squad all season.

"They've been absolutely brilliant, the away fans always give it absolutely everything and I'd urge them to do that again at Pride Park because they do make a difference - that's why I bleat on about it all the time.

"Whatever the circumstances, if they can keep up that wall of noise it will help enormously."