Many players retreat into a shell of despair during a relegation battle. Some cannot cope when the season reaches what is euphemistically known as “squeaky-bum time”. Not, though, Marcus Hahnemann, the Reading goalkeeper.

Like most custodians of repute, Hahnemann veers towards the strange side of normal. The gunowning, heavy-metal music addict and Xbox-devotee from Seattle in the United States shatters the mould of the average stereotypical cliché-ridden footballer. For him, Reading's plight near the foot of the Barclays Premier League, with two matches to go, is a veritable high. The match against Tottenham Hotspur at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday is to be eagerly awaited, not feared. Bring it on.

“All of a sudden the 38-game season is down to just two games,” Hahnemann said. “It's certainly exciting down at the bottom, probably more so than at the top because there are so many variables. But I do like the pressure. It's a buzz when there is so much on the game. I hate losing and the thought of losing on Saturday is unbearable. What drives me on is knowing what a great feeling it will be to win this match.”

Hahnemann has been busy as Reading, unable to reproduce their creditable finish of eighth place last season, have plummeted into freefall. Despite his save count approaching the 250 mark, they lie only one point above the danger zone. Yet nothing would thrill him more than a successful battle against the drop.

“A lot of people have discounted us and it's up to us to prove them wrong,” Hahnemann said. “We haven't had the best of seasons and that's why we are in this position.

“Tottenham have very skilful players. The fact that they have nothing to play for could go either way. But all that matters is us. If we play well, we can get something from the game. Our destiny remains in our own hands. That's all you can ask for.”