New Reading coach James Oliver-Pearce has enjoyed his first fortnight in Berkshire, his first time away from AFC Wimbledon in more than a decade.
The former Woking player worked his way up in South London to take on a variety of roles in both the Academy and first team, most recently assisting current Royals Head of Football Operations Mark Bowen.
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Now getting his first opportunity to coach at Championship level, the Londoner is thriving.
"It’s been really good," he said to the media ahead of the opening pre-season fixture against Colchester United. "It’s a bit of a change from Wimbledon, spending 10 years there, coming into an environment with the resources and facility we have here. I’m enjoying it, the players have been brilliant, and the staff have been brilliant so I’m finding my feet gradually and looking forward to the season."
So far only three players have been introduced to a thread-bare squad, with two goalkeepers and Tom Ince returning on a full-time contract.
Despite a lack of numbers, Oliver-Pearce insists the hard-work has already started and the players will be ready for the new season next month.
"There's some work to be done in bringing in players but all you can do is the best with what you’ve got- and at the moment the players that are in the building have had an excellent attitude. We’re not able to build everything we would want until we’ve got all of the players but the attitude to their work has been brilliant.
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"I don’t know a lot about what has gone on before and it’s got nothing to do with me. We’ve got an opportunity to try and build something with a fresh set of staff and a largely different group of players so what has happened is irrelevant, we just have to look forward as a club.
"Pressure is a privilege. If you’re fortunate enough to have pressure in your life you’re in a privileged position as you’ve got something to aspire to achieve. How successful that turns out, time will tell. You want to make sure that your performances are gearing you up to get successful results consistently so there is pressure, but I see that as only a good thing."
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