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"Since I got the job our shape has been very good, I've concentrated on our shape, then our flair players can go and do their stuff. Sometimes it doesn't happen for the flair players, so then you have to be very tight and as a minimum come away with a draw. Look at QPR, they've got two 0-0 draws on the spin, so it doesn't happen going forward all the time, but then you should still come away with a draw."
Reading haven't scored in their last two games but McDermott said: "I'm not concerned about that. The next goal full stop is all I think about, the rest will take care of itself over time. We've got international strikers at the club. We keep talking about the strikers, we've got to create chances for them, that's very important, and if we keep doing that they'll score."
McDermott also had a word for former Reading player Andre Bikey who will be playing against his old club for the first time. "Yes, he's a good lad," said the Reading boss. "I've got a lot of time for him. He's a family man; I know his wife and he's got a little baby now. He's been in England for a number of years, great guy and did a good job for Reading."
And on the Clarets: "I'm sure Burnley will be in the shake-up come the end of the season. They'll be looking to get in and around the top two or the play offs, as we all are."
Brian Laws has been busy discussing the future of Chris Eagles given his recent form. "I am not concerned about Chris at all," Laws said. "The time to worry was in the summer, but all that is behind us now. He has signed a new contract to be here for the next few years and he is settled."
Looking forward to the Reading game, Laws added: "We have to use Turf Moor as a fortress and the players are. There is always that hiccup around the corner, but we are so keep to keep our record going.
"I think this could be as attractive a game as you might see. Two teams will play the game the right way on a pitch that is in phenomenal condition and is screaming out for good football. If you want to play, you have the surface to go with it."
Laws warned: "No team is going to come here and lie down. We're not going to steamroller every team that comes to Turf Moor. We have to be patient as a team, as well as the supporters needing to be patient.
"Realistically there are going to be times when the opposition is going to try to work really hard to snuff us out, and stop us from playing.
"I think the crowd, at the moment, are expecting it and they need to cool their jets a wee bit. The supporters are going to play a massive role at Turf Moor. We want them to be noisy and very supportive of the team because that puts pressure on the opposition as well."