Reading 'will always go for a win'

The Royals earned plaudits for their performance in a 4-2 midweek defeat at Chelsea and face their third match in a week when they travel to Sunderland on Sunday (AEST).

After taking a surprise 2-1 lead at the home of the European champion, McDermott could have been forgiven for sitting back and returning to Reading with a point.

But after Gary Cahill's effort squirmed under Adam Federici to level the scores at 2-2, McDermott decided to keep chasing the victory - a philosophy he is unapologetic about.

He said: "I don't think you can turn around and ever say you can settle for a draw in this league, or any league.

"And that is to say, what is settling for a draw? Does that mean you get as many people as you can behind the ball? I don't think that necessarily works, you can get a draw by putting another striker on and putting more pressure on the ball.

"But generally if it is 2-2 or 1-1, wherever we are playing, we are trying to win.

"There is a big difference between three points and one point."