Pogrebnyak: Fulham didn´t do enough

Reading’s new signing Pavel Pogrebnyak says Fulham owner Mohamed Al-Fayed failed to do enough to secure his services at Craven Cottage.

Pogrebnyak turned down Fulham, where he spent a successful loan period last season, to join English Premier League newcomers Reading in July.

“I signed a four-year deal here and Fulham gave me (an offer for) one and then two after that,” Pogrebnyak said.

“I think Fulham’s owner didn’t do too much to keep me at Fulham.”

The Russia forward was at loss to explain his absence from Fabio Capello’s squad for the midweek friendly with Ivory Coast, but remains hopeful of featuring in the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

“I am disappointed,” he said.

“I think I was left out because I have a game on Saturday.

“I think I’ll be there for the next game.”

Meanwhile, Reading manager Brian McDermott has revealed the club have set their sights on emulating the recent successes of Saturday’s opponents Stoke City.

Reading open their Premier League campaign at home to Tony Pulis’ side.

“When I first met (Reading owner) Anton (Zingarevich), we spoke about Tony Pulis and we spoke about Stoke and that model and how well they’ve done,” McDermott said.

“Not only have they survived but they’ve got to an FA Cup final, they’ve played in Europe and they’ve brought in some really big players over the years so it’s a real good model for us to follow.”

“We’re at home and that’s the most important thing for us. We wanted to play at home for the first game.

“We’re playing against a team that’s established and a manager that’s established Stoke in the Premier League over a number of years.”