After your play-off final defeat last season, do you expect to be challenging for promotion again?
I'd like to think so. We've still got a decent squad with players who will give 110% for McDermott. We've also got some cracking youth players coming through and the squad love playing for Brian. Playoffs at best this season... it would be good to win a play-off final for a change (1995, 2001, 2011).
What do you think of your transfer activity so far? How big a miss is Shane Long going to be?
To put it bluntly John Madejski is a bit of a tight git. We'll rake in the money but not spend any of it. So far we have signed Mikele Leigertwood on a permanent deal which was great news and we have taken Khumalo on loan from Spurs.
It seems a bit strange that Shane is no longer at the club as he's been here since he was 18 and in my opinion had only come good last season. McDermott worked wonders with him where Rodgers and Coppell failed. He's a top player and we won't begrudge him a move to the Premier League. The fans love him, unlike Matt Mills...
Ibrahima Sonko was a flop loan signing for us last season but would you have him back at Reading?
The question answers itself. He has rejected the chance to come back to us because he wants more money. So no. We want players to play for the shirt, not the cheque. He claims he loves the club but would rather go elsewhere.
He was a decent defender when he was last at the club. When he played against us last year for you lot he was a laughing stock, but he got a great reception at the end.
Dave Kitson banged in plenty of goals for the Royals but has struggled since moving to Portsmouth. How did he manage to score so many goals for you?
The minute Dave Kitson arrived in RG2 from Gillingham he scored goals. He scored the club's first ever goal in the top-flight. He played well under the system Reading used under Coppell, long ball.
His hat-trick against West Ham (when Alan Pardew was in charge) in a real grudge match made him a legend. When he came back with Portsmouth this season he looked disintrested, lacked the work rate that the other Pompey players had and looked a shadow of his former self. Maybe he only plays well for Steve Coppell?
Confidence must be high after a positive start to the season. Do you believe you can come to Fratton Park and win or would you take a draw if offered to you now?
We've had a good start to the season. I'd take all three points. We don't have a good record at Fratton Park. As long as we don't lose 7-4 again and be first on Match of the Day for all the wrong reasons. I think we can snatch the win.
What sort of match are you expecting on Tuesday night?
It'll be a tough match for sure. Portsmouth have signed some good players in Luke Varney and Norris and Cotterill has done a decent job down there considering the financial situation. As I said earlier we never do well at Fratton Park. The one Pompey player I do rate is Greg Halford, despite his short spell at our club.
Predict the outcome of the game.
Portsmouth 1-2 Reading