Nick Blackman is a man at the top of his game, and will lead the line when Reading face Rotherham United in the Sky Bet Championship on Tuesday night.
The forward has hit nine goals in his past nine games, a total which matches his return from 2013/14 and 2014/15 combined, and Blackman is thankful for the chance presented to him by boss Steve Clarke.The 25-year-old had previously been used as winger, but Blackman has excelled since moving into a striking role and has more than repaid Clarke's faith, with ten goals in all competitions so far.
Speaking to readingfc.co.uk, Blackman said: “The manager is playing me in a bit more of a forward role and giving me a run of games. I’m a forward and he wants me to play as a forward.
“I have always had belief in myself and belief in my ability, but I’m being given a run of games by the manager and so I’ve been able to pick up a bit of form.
“The main thing is playing every week. You can’t get into any sort of form when you’re coming off the bench for 20 minutes here and there, or if you’re playing as a rigid right-winger.
"I did that for the team with no problem, and I always worked as hard as I could, but I don’t think it was my best position."
Blackman's goals have contributed to Reading storming up the Sky Bet Championship table. Six wins from the past seven games have seen them climb to second ahead of tonight's game against the Millers, who are one place off the bottom.
And the front man sees no reason why a talented Royals squad can't maintain their momentum, with promotion the ultimate aim.
“It’s looking good at the moment. Everyone is working really hard on the training ground. We’re not getting complacent – we’re just going about our business and taking each game as it comes," added Blackman.
“Everyone is enjoying playing with everyone, and you can see the quality of some of the link-up play we have got when we go forward. It’s frightening sometimes.
“We want to get promoted – that’s what we want within the changing room, and we’re going to go about our business and try and be up there at the end of the season.”