Hunt hoping for Premier promotion
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From Shamrock Rovers and Waterford United in the League of Ireland to being on the brink of possible promotion with Reading, striker Noel Hunt is back from injury and ready to take up his partnership with fellow Irishman Shane Long tonight as they face Leeds United in a crunch Championship promotion match. Noel knows the importance of the game.
“Obviously Norwich got the right result last night against Ipswich, but to be fair we can’t be looking at them, we have to be looking at ourselves”, Hunt said speaking to Beat 102103 Sports Editor Martin Clancy ahead of tonight game. “The tie against Leeds is a massive game, it’s really big for us and we know how big it is. We know it could mean a chance of automatic promotion at the end of the season so we’re all looking forward to it.”
“Yeah there is a chance (on automatic promotion), but we’re depending on other results which makes it more difficult. We can’t worry about them, we’ve just got to keep our run going. If we do win our last four games, and we’re not in the automatic places, then at least we’d have good form going into the play-offs. Last week’s home win was good because it sets us up nicely for this week.”
The game is live on television but Hunt believes that the players don’t think about the live cameras, but expects a good atmosphere in Elland Road.
“I don’t think so, I don’t think you really think about it to be honest. It’s a big game, even if it was behind closed doors it’s a massive game for both clubs so the fact that they’ve a good support, with 35,000 there, I’m sure it’ll be a great atmosphere, and it being on television gives it that extra special to it.”
Having been out injured recently, the Waterford-native is was delighted with his goal last week, and paid tribute to his managers for his loyalty in bringing him back into the side, including a starting spot against Leeds United tonight.
“It was nice, first game back, to get onto the field and score after being out for a few week. The gaffer showed great loyalty by putting me back on the bench last week, I was delighted, so thankfully I’m starting this weekend.”
Hunts partnership with Shane Long has been vital to the success at Reading, but he knows that unless Reading achieve promotion, keeping Long could be difficult.
“Things have been great, the two of us have been doing really well together and he’s had a fantastic season. It’s massive for us if we go up that we will keep him but if we don’t then we’ll struggle to hold onto him because he’s a Premiership player in my eyes.”
[With thanks to Martin Clancy, Beat 102103 Sports Editor]
“Obviously Norwich got the right result last night against Ipswich, but to be fair we can’t be looking at them, we have to be looking at ourselves”, Hunt said speaking to Beat 102103 Sports Editor Martin Clancy ahead of tonight game. “The tie against Leeds is a massive game, it’s really big for us and we know how big it is. We know it could mean a chance of automatic promotion at the end of the season so we’re all looking forward to it.”
“Yeah there is a chance (on automatic promotion), but we’re depending on other results which makes it more difficult. We can’t worry about them, we’ve just got to keep our run going. If we do win our last four games, and we’re not in the automatic places, then at least we’d have good form going into the play-offs. Last week’s home win was good because it sets us up nicely for this week.”
The game is live on television but Hunt believes that the players don’t think about the live cameras, but expects a good atmosphere in Elland Road.
“I don’t think so, I don’t think you really think about it to be honest. It’s a big game, even if it was behind closed doors it’s a massive game for both clubs so the fact that they’ve a good support, with 35,000 there, I’m sure it’ll be a great atmosphere, and it being on television gives it that extra special to it.”
Having been out injured recently, the Waterford-native is was delighted with his goal last week, and paid tribute to his managers for his loyalty in bringing him back into the side, including a starting spot against Leeds United tonight.
“It was nice, first game back, to get onto the field and score after being out for a few week. The gaffer showed great loyalty by putting me back on the bench last week, I was delighted, so thankfully I’m starting this weekend.”
Hunts partnership with Shane Long has been vital to the success at Reading, but he knows that unless Reading achieve promotion, keeping Long could be difficult.
“Things have been great, the two of us have been doing really well together and he’s had a fantastic season. It’s massive for us if we go up that we will keep him but if we don’t then we’ll struggle to hold onto him because he’s a Premiership player in my eyes.”
[With thanks to Martin Clancy, Beat 102103 Sports Editor]
About Brendan White
Brendan White is Extratime News Editor and is responsible for the news section of Extratime.ie. Brendan also covers matches in Dublin and Waterford. You can contact Brendan on twitter @whitebrendan. View Full Profile