Brian McDermott is trying to tell us not to worry about the dodgy spell we’ve recently endured, saying he’s been through it all before and come through it.

The statistics show that McDermott specialises in making a slow start to the season, only for his teams to start to pick up as the leaves come down from the trees and the nights get longer. Two years ago his Reading side endured a run of five consecutive defeats, before a change in form saw them storm up the table to win the division.

And now he could do with his present team starting a similar turnaround, after a run of four defeats in the last five league games, with the only win coming against a Bolton side who are stuck at the wrong end of the table. But he was keen to tell the Yorkshire Post that in his experience, both with non-league Slough and Woking and then with Reading, form can quickly turn around and that his sides can start to climb the table.

“I have had a run twice that was worse than this. It was 13 games when I was first a manager — eight draws, five defeats. I also had five games on the spin for Reading where we got beaten and before that, I was caretaker and had five games without a win. I have also had 15 wins out of 16 games and eight wins out of eight.”

The manager has acknowledged that Saturday’s performance wasn’t good enough, but says that the key is to put in a more determined performance against Bournemouth tonight. “Looking back at the games I’ve been involved in, we have not had too many performances like we had in the second half.”

“The important thing now is to find a way to get a result. We need to get the confidence levels up. You have to get on with it and move onto the next game. That’s the only thing that matters to me — the next game and trying to beat Bournemouth at Elland Road. We need to get up the pitch and get in behind teams more. That’s one of the fundamentals as we’ve looked pretty solid and are the sixth best defensive record in the league.”

He’s right about the defensive record, but the problem has been at the other end of the pitch, as only Yeovil have scored fewer goals in our division. The manager is working hard to get some more firepower in, but for now he will have to work with what he’s got, having been rebuffed in his efforts to sign Luciano Becchio or Serge Gnabry on loan. That said, it hasn’t helped that of the strikers he’s already signed Noel Hunt has had a disappointing time so far.

McDermott’s honeymoon period seems to be over, with a few fans becoming very critical, and this could well be reflected in a rather poor attendance tonight. I think we should give him a chance for now, as it will take time to improve the mediocre squad he inherited, but he needs to buy better whenever he can go into the transfer market.

We’re not expecting an heroic charge up the table in the manner of Reading in 2011/12, but it’s not unreasonable to think we can challenge for a top six finish by the end of the season. Let’s hope the improvement starts tonight against Bournemouth.

Photo: Action Images

Tare added 14:33 - Oct 1 After Bolton game what has happened? RM a new contract and somehow ship was moving in a wrong direction. Not because of RMs contract but it all seem to be culminating to that point. But this team is not as bad as some people are considering but not so good as I thought before the season kick-off. We need on "Vinny Jones on the pitch" we need one LW and scorer for sure. Why "Vinny" because this team is under weather just right now. Hopefully loan market will supply us some ammunition before January. Tare

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TimWhelan added 13:40 - Oct 2 I thought Rudy Austin was in the 'Vinny' role as the inspirational captain. But as you say, we need a winger and a striker in soon. Hopefully Byram will give us a bit of width down the right when he's fit again, so that just leaves us to get someone to play wide left.
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