Published: Thursday, 5th June, 2008 09:00
Ingimarsson makes case for defence
By Anthony Smith
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On the defensive: Ivar Ingimarsson says Reading must bolster their defence this summer.
IVAR Ingimarsson is urging Reading to strengthen their defence next season - even if it makes it harder for him to get in the team.
Royals were relegated from the Premier League with the second worst defensive record last season.
They conceded 66 goals in 38 league games compared with 47 the previous campaign and only whipping-boys Derby County let in more this time with 89.
Injuries undoubtedly played a part as centre-backs Ibrahima Sonko and Michael Duberry were both sidelined for most of the season, forcing others like Andre Bikey and Kalifa Cisse to fill in.
Right-back and skipper Graeme Murty also suffered from knocks while left-back Nicky Shorey failed to recapture his outstanding form of the previous season and looks set to leave this summer.
Now Ingimarsson insists the club must beef up at the back if they are to mount a serious promotion challenge.
He told the Chronicle: “I played every minute of every game in our first Premier League season and I want to play every game next season.
“It’s up to me to stay strong and fit and come back for pre-season in good shape. If I do that I think I will play more games than I will miss.
“But I expect the club will sign some defenders too. It may sound strange but hopefully new players will arrive in my position because I believe that competition brings out the best in people.
“Maybe we lacked a bit of that last season for whatever reason. But the fact is we conceded too many goals and that needs to be addressed.”
Shorey has been strongly linked with West Ham, Newcastle United and Portsmouth while defenders Aaron Brown and Ulises De La Cruz have already been released.
It means Ingimarsson, Sonko and Duberry are the only first-choice centre-backs still at the club, though teenager Alex Pearce is likely to be pushing for a regular place in the squad.
Liam Rosenior and Scott Golbourne, once he has recovered from a pelvic problem, will also provide cover at full-back.
But the toughest job for boss Steve Coppell will be keeping the nucleus of his squad together with top-flight clubs preparing to swoop over the coming weeks.
Ingimarsson declared: “It’s important to keep hold of players but we must add to the squad as well and bring in some fresh faces. We need to freshen things up anyway, it’s something that needs to be done.
“I’m sure the club will try to keep the core of the team together. That’s not going to be easy and it is inevitable that other clubs will show interest in our best players.
“You hear the rumours, though precisely how many changes will there be I honestly don’t know, but we will find out over the next few weeks.
“It doesn’t surprise me to see the names of our players in the newspapers being mentioned with other clubs.
“Last season didn’t go well but the one before that proved we’re a good team full of good players.
“Clubs will remember that and maybe try to take advantage of it now we are no longer in the Premier League.
“I’m sure we will resist that and try and keep hold of as many that we can.”
Ingimarsson was an integral part of the Reading side which secured promotion to the Premier League by winning the 2005/06 Championship title with a record 106 points.
Steve Coppell’s side have been installed as second-favourites to do the business again this season and 30-year-old Ingimarsson is convinced their experience will prove to be invaluable.
“The Championship is one of the toughest leagues around, and one of the hardest to get out of,” insisted the ex-Iceland international.
“There are no small clubs in it now, they’re mostly all big names and many of them have had more experience in the Premier League than we have.
“But we have had recent experience in the top division which I believe will stand us in good stead.”
And he also argued: “All of us have played in the Championship before and a lot of our players have spent more of their careers in the lower leagues than in the Premiership.
“So maybe the disappointment of being relegated won’t be as big a shock for us as it will be for others when reality kicks in.
“It can take time to adjust to that but we’ve all been there before. We know what it’s like and we’re prepared for a battle.”
Meanwhile, Ingimarsson described Coppell’s recent decision to see out his contract as “great news for the club.”
He said: “It’s very good to know what is going to happen with the manager. He got us promoted before and he’s done it at other clubs as well.
“For me, there is nobody better to do the job and I believe it is exactly what we needed after relegation.”
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