Reading FC

Ryan Bertrand joins in the celebrations after Gylfi Sigurdsson’s winner from the penalty spot
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McDermott hails Reading FC victory over QPR

By Adam Lee
March 17, 2010

Brian McDermott paid tribute to the never-say-die attitude of his players after a late goal saved Reading from a frustrating night against 10 men.

Royals looked like they would have to settle for a goalless draw before Gylfi Sigurdsson was fouled in the area.

And Sigurdsson picked himself up to fire home from the spot to earn McDermott’s men their eighth Championship win in nine games.

Royals’ boss was quick to praise his young side, who just three months ago would never have shown the determination to grind out a result against a stubborn QPR team.

“We just kept going and kept going,” said McDermott. “It wasn’t the most beautiful game of football in the world, but tonight was about getting the result and we got that result.

“I’m sure our crowd have gone home very happy.

“I thought it was a really good game as far as it was two very honest sides with two genuine bunch of players.

“Both had a go and we were fortunate enough to get the goal at the end.”

The opening exchanges promised a good tussle between two of the division’s in-form teams.

But despite the early labours from both sides, the best chance came courtesy of a 25-yard free-kick from Brian Howard that almost caught out QPR keeper Carl Ikeme at his near post.

With both teams showing plenty of invention in attack, goals seemed inevitable, and QPR almost grabbed the first with 18 minutes gone.

A deep corner from the left found Kaspars Gorkss at the far post, but, more by luck than judgement, Adam Federici managed to block the header before Tamas Priskin fired the loose ball over the bar.

QPR had an even better chance soon afterwards when a beautifully executed pass from Adel Tarrabt left Ivar Ingimarsson stretching, but Federici stood strong and closed down Jay Simpson superbly.

Reading were looking second best, and were fast running out of ideas against a typical Neil Warnock defence – solid and well drilled.

Even two bookings in as many minutes for QPR’s Damion Stewart and Alejandro Faurlin couldn’t turn the tide in Reading’s favour

The game changed, though, with a minute of the first half left when Stewart impeded Federici as he tried to kick the ball upfield, and referee Gavin was left with little option but to show him the red card.

Reading started the second half looking hungry, with Shane Long and Jimmy Kebe both going close to breaking the deadlock.

But all of Reading’s early momentum was soon lost, and they became increasingly reliant on hopeful long balls with QPR determined to hold out for 0-0.

Warnock, who was subjected to sustained abuse from Reading’s fans throughout the first half, was the last opposition manager to win at Madejski Stadium when his former club Crystal Palace triumphed 4-2 back in December – and it looked like he was going to frustrate Reading once again.

But in the closing stages Royals found a second wind, and looked to have made the break-through when first Sigurdsson and then Jobi McAnuff had shots cleared off the line by Matt Hill and Matthew Connolly respectively.

Then, with Royals piling on the pressure, Hill caught Sigurdsson as he skipped past him on the by-line and referee Ward pointed to spot.

Sigurdsson stepped up to power home the penalty and Royals safely negotiated the final six minutes to secure a win that lifts them up to 14th place.

Twice more Royals broke forward through McAnuff, but both times poor shooting cost them the chance to double the tally.

And in the end they had to settle for a 1-0 win that for long periods of the game had seemed unlikely.

Reading (4-2-3-1): Federici, Griffin, Bertrand, Mills, Ingimarsson, Tabb, Howard (Rasiak, 61), Sigurdsson, Kebe, McAnuff, Long (Church, 66). Subs not used: Gunnarsson, Matejovsky, Church, Kanu, Hamer, Khizanishvili. Booked: Rasiak.

QPR (4-4-1-1): Ikeme, Connolly, Hill, Stewart, Gorkss, Leigertwood, Faurlin, Priskin (German 87), Ephraim, Taarabt (Ramage, 80), Simpson. Subs not used: Vine, Cerny, Borrowdale, German, Cook, Buzsaky. Sent off: Stewart. Booked: Faurlin, Liegertwood, Hill, Connolly.

Referee: Gavin Ward

Attendance: 16,886

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I have to say that the majority of talk here about Mills has slightly missed the point.

He has started to look like a top player, has contributed greatly to a great run etc etc but his reaction was cringe worthy and made me so angry last night.

Granted we all want passion (from both players and fans alike) but was this passion from Mills or the actions of a petulant and immature 'professional' who simply couldn’t take a small amount of criticism from a tiny section of the disappointingly small crowd last night??

Like many people I don’t agree with booing our players when they are playing and trying their hardest; if they are simply not capable then they should never be booed - Cummings was a great example of this. He was /is rubbish and got some stick, as have numerous other players this season (Rasiak, Howard, Kebe etc) but did any of these react this way?

I can tell you all for a fact, that if we were struggling still or if Mills had been pants in recent games then he would be vilified by each and every fan. FACT.

His reaction was embarrassing and the way he looked across to the east stand, stood there chest out, considered his response then delivered the finger was so out of order it is unreal.

We all acknowledge that supporting the team 100% is the way forward but surely the same principle should be applied from the players towards the fans. His inability to deal with a few groans fuelled the crowd and after his gesture he rightly got booed; I simply laughed when people started cheering his name like he was some sort of hero - as mentioned he would have had each fan booing him if we were struggling still.

We were all frustrated and he was clearly following instruction to ping the ball wide but rather then growing a set and getting on with it he reacted like that. Granted, he is young and will no doubt regret his actions but he showed a huge amount of arrogance and contempt towards the fans last night.

Simply not acceptable.

Bofty, Emmer Green
17/03/2010 at 14:28

The recent success following such a dismal start to the season has clouded people's views and expectations. Up until the last couple of weeks we've been in a dog fight to avoid relegation. Suddenly, we've become play off candidates. With success comes higher expectations and sure enough the lack of tolerance for anything but quality play. Last night Warnock utilised his usual ploy of unsettling the opposition's passing game by the over physical approach. Anyone caught dwelling on the ball got clobbered. With only a few Royals players with the physique and experience to mix it, booting the ball away became the safest option. Only after the expulsion of their main thug did we start to regain control of the game. The frustration of dealing with such tactics is bad enough for the fans but unbearable for the likes of Mills who, it appears was under the direction of the manager to thump a series of 60 yard balls diagonally in the vicinity of Kebe. Although somebody who thinks he is captain material should be able to take the fans impatience on the chin his reaction clearly shows he's got some way to go. Come the next home game he needs to acknowledge the fans around the ground with a gesture that he's committed to the cause and not a sulky kid. Let's take some positives from last night. We beat Warnock again (and QPR look a decent side) and we do have the momentum to make a late surge for the last remaining playoff place.

Bradders, Reading
17/03/2010 at 13:04

I dont agree with booing your own fans either but lets be clear what happened here. Mills was not booed before his gesture to the crowd. What he reacted to was as somebody else said the groans of a few hundred fans who were frustrated with seeing his cross field passes end up in row G. For him to turn around whilst the game was going on and stare out the East Stand before giving them the finger was ridiculous. I think far more fans booed him after that than groaned in the first place and rightly so, he needed to know that his behaviour was not acceptable to most. When the crowd started to sing his name and clap him he again turned and just shook his head, no acknowledegment to those that were trying to lift him, arrogance to say the least. Matt Mills has been a great player in recent weeks and milked the plaudits, this was not the way to behave. Make no nones about it, if he had done this to the away fans he would be in serious trouble, not only with the FA but most probably the Police as well. Good luck for the rest of the season Matt, but a little humillity wouldnt go a miss.

LOYAL ROYAL, A33
17/03/2010 at 12:31

To Biffa - fair point, although did hear some boos straight after the pass (as did Mills by the looks of it). However, they certainly increased after the gesture. And yes, he had hit a few wonky passes - but surely anyone who has watched football will have seen players have wobbly patches, we should be prepared for this. It's just a bit annoying when our largely mute fans suddenly find the energy to make noise like this. And PS apologies to anyone in the North Stand, I was the tall sweary man making these points rather less coherently last night as it was unfolding...

Trevor Wallid, Tilehurst
17/03/2010 at 12:27

Worth remembering a few things about last night. A) We won B)Warnock set his side up to draw - and they did a bloody good job at stopping us play. C)Didn't see Jobi, Kebe, Siggy or Tabb coming short to give Mills an option. D)Bertrand, Griffin & Ingimarsson all lumped it long just with a little more success E) Mills has been immense for the last 8 or 9 games - he had an off night - doesn't everyone?

Interesting trivia first 26 games Reading = 23pts - Last 9 games Reading = 24pts - Well done McD & the boys -- C'mon URZZZZZZ!

Robsy , Reading
17/03/2010 at 12:25

Again I'd like to reiterate the point that nobody booed the players or the team until Mills stuck his finger up to that crowd. That was the ONLY reason anybody booed him as far as I'm aware.

Comments about Mills and team playing well recently are obviously correct but totally irrelevant to Mills’ reaction to a collective groan and the fans reactive to his abusive gesture.

Tom_Foolery, Reading
17/03/2010 at 12:20

Did Mills stick fingers up at the crowd or did he hold his hand up to apologise for sticking another long ball into touch?

Sorry my eyesight isn't good enough to see which way round his hand was.

One for the new feature in Friday's evening post - Johnny Fordham Investigates.

RYF, Royal County of Berkshire
17/03/2010 at 12:15

Trevor, I only heard boos after Mills salute. However, I agree booing your own is still very wrong. By the way it wasnt one misplaced pass, but several to the same player on the same part of the pitch, or rather off the pitch!

Biffa, Didcot
17/03/2010 at 12:11

Some fans are so fickle when you are loseing they boo and moan now you are winning have two games in hand and can go 7th if you win them some stupid people who call themselves supporters single players out.

I think these so called fans have such a bad time from her indoors they are not interested in weather the team are doing well they just enjoy being negative i think you should all back him or dont turn up.

Win two games and then maybe the play offs are not such a dream after all.

Just remember these guys are normal people who have feelings back the boys.

Classified
17/03/2010 at 11:57

Question after last night; do Reading fans deserve promotion? 8 wins in 9 games at a canter, then last night we hit a slight glitch and the game gets a touch dull. Result - one misplaced pass and boos emerge. Have the Coppell years spoilt us that badly? Mills' reaction was not great, but really some people need to have a chat with themselves. Or, failing that, they need to go away and support Chelsea or some other bunch of glory seekers where that sort of '606' instant reaction idiocy is seen as acceptable. To those who booed last night - what have you got planned for the first time we actually lose at home? Effigy burning?

Trevor Wallid, Tilehurst
17/03/2010 at 11:51

Judging by the many thick, ignorant, know nothing, impatient, plebite Reading fans I have met I can safely say that whatever Mills does to these scrotes is fully justified.

I also hope that public school loud mouths like Tim Dellor shut up about it.

Bushes Bernal, The Back of Beyond.
17/03/2010 at 11:49

Try doing it to a customer and ye it wouldn't b a good response but if about 5000 customers all stood round me and my work team and started singling me out and booing me they would get the same response. We're all human we all have passion n fellings and REACTIONS!!!!!!!

ROYALS 21, reading
17/03/2010 at 11:48

Fair post Royals 21. I'm glad someone else noticed we actually won the game last night. Well done the lads including Millsy. I'm glad we're nearly safe now, as the boys are starting to look cream crackered. URZ

Biffa, Didcot
17/03/2010 at 11:41

He is one of our best players,but its inexcusable to single finger your own fans...total dispespect....try doing it to one of your customers and see the response

PatrickRG9
17/03/2010 at 11:27

Good to get another win to see us move up the table ! Yet I think all the stupid so called fans who are suppose to support your players that booed mills we're a pathetic he had another quality game and was by far the most solid at the back! If he was playing the ball back all the time like the rubbish pearce does I would understand the reason for moans but he was playin it foward to kebe to use his pace which we all have seen has worked of late!! Hopefully the so called fans who wer booing will feel sick if he goes in the summer with the way he's been playin no doubt so one will come I. For him n I jus hope that stupidness last night won't make him have an easy decision. Cum on millsy reading all the way I hope THERE'S ONLY ONE MATT MILLS. Def up for player of the season