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Reading FC captain Matt Mills
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Manchester City doubt for Reading FC and FA Cup star

By Jonny Fordham
March 10, 2011

Reading’s FA Cup hero and player of the fifth round Matt Mills is fighting a race against time to face his former club Manchester City on Sunday (live on ESPN, 4.45pm kick-off).

Mills, who followed in the footsteps of Adam Federici by picking up the award after being voted the star performer by fans nationally, has a groin injury that has cast a black cloud over his chances of playing.

However, manager Brian McDermott has given the squad two days off after Tuesday night’s 3-1 win at Ipswich Town to rest up before their huge tie.

And Mills is keeping his hopes up of leading out his men at Eastlands after his heroics at Goodison Park that led to his personal achievement.

Speaking about the accolade to the Reading Post he said: “I didn’t really know much about it until other people mentioned it.

“My mum told me and she said that she had been getting all her friends and the rest of the family to vote and I know some of the lads were spreading the word as well.”

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Alex McCarthy was also in the running to scoop the prize after his Goodison clean-sheet.

On Tuesday night he played behind a back four with a combined age of 130-years-old after Mills limped off and the creaking rearguard will have to be on top form to deny the likes of Carlos Tevez and company on Sunday.

“It’s great to be nominated alongside Alex McCarthy,” added Mills.

“He was brilliant against Everton and made some outstanding saves to keep a clean sheet and help us get into the next round to face City.”

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Good grief :p

I thought City fans were barmy when they all began snarling at each other as to 'how we should spend the billions' and 'on whom'...

As an avid anti-Lescott (the price annoyed me more than the lad!) when Hughes was in charge - I became the "Rag in a Blue Shirt" on one forum. Which I left. No school kid of 10/15 is gonna call me a red at my age! I had a ST for 14 years when I still lived in Manchester.

Last summer I was totally against us buying Milner for 20M plus Stevie Ireland (say £28 in total?) cos I saw him as a 'journeyman' and felt we needed a Van der Vaart 'type' more than a tireless headless chicken! I got slaughtered for that opinion too - but you guys get far more personal :o

As for the game on Sunday - I reckon it became a "MEGA MUST-WIN" for Mancini to keep his job come summer, the second the final whistle blew last night in Kiev :(

Sunny_MCFC
11/03/2011 at 14:27

Tabb or Karacan could go right back, allowing Brynar to go Centre back.

Lester Crinklesack
11/03/2011 at 12:15

Rosby - Morrison is cup tied for the game.

We should be worried about the CBs as we have one two fit CB's avaialble, possible one coming back from injury (Pearce) and two out (Mills injured, Morrison cuptied). Of the other players who can play CB they are need for other positions as we have no one else; Harte is LB (no cover there since Armstrong sadly retired), Gunnasson is RB (unless Griffin or Cummings available) and Leightwood (weakens Midfield).

HitchinRoyal
11/03/2011 at 11:48

Yet another poor response Big P....

C'mon son...back up your claims. Maybe tally up the yellows/reds, or particular instances where you've seen Mills play/behave badly.

It's fine to have a different opinion...no problem there, but you've got to validate it.

Lester Crinklesack
11/03/2011 at 11:29

" LOL @ Southbanktilehurst! I am the same poster as someone i have never heard of?! Classic! What a Mastermind you are! Mind boggling stupidity. Well done mate".

Big P is not someone you used to work with then? We both know someone who says different. ;)

TilehurstSouthbank, Tilehurst, Reading
11/03/2011 at 09:47

What's so crazy and wacky about opposing views? I rate Ingimarsson as twice the liability that Mills is (these days), yet I'm sure that's a polarising view too. And it's not 'anger' about your preference, it's called mild debate. You know, the reason why websites have comments sections in the first place!

I find it mind-boggling how fans of the same club CAN'T have differing opinions. Just because we all support the same side, doesn't mean any one person has to be brainwashed to love it and everything under its banner unconditionally!

Pinju, Tilehurst
11/03/2011 at 08:30

Its funny how some players divide fans opinion -- Brian Howard & Matt Mills seem to be the two who are under that particular microscope at the moment. Just like Shane Long was 3 odd months ago!

I don't expect Mills to play and Reading's squad will be weaker for it but we do have 3 recognised centre backs (Morrison inexperienced but it is his position)

Does anyone know if Griff or Cummings are likely to feature or will it be Bryn?

I just hope we give it ago - MCFC will need to be off there game and we need to be on ours but stranger things happen.

I expect the flight back from the Ukraine and two days rest will work in our favour.

C'mon UrZzZz!

Robsy , Reading
11/03/2011 at 00:03

LOL @ Southbanktilehurst! I am the same poster as someone i have never heard of?! Classic! What a Mastermind you are! Mind boggling stupidity. Well done mate.

And as for Lester, a season ticket in front of the highlights telly doesn't count I'm afraid.

Big P, Reading
10/03/2011 at 21:05

Losing Mills is not great news, but im sure Ivar can do the Job just as well, just a shame he has not played a wee bit more, could be a bit rusty!

Brother Horus
10/03/2011 at 17:23

I think it's funny how fans from the same club can argue so much! Save some of the energy you are using on pointless arguments and use it to back the boys!!!

Dee Reading Man, Tilehurst, Reading
10/03/2011 at 17:10

Some fans are just never satisfied. There's no point trying to reason with the likes of Big P/Hello to Siobhan & Jen (same poster) Tom Foolery, or Expom.

TilehurstSouthbank, Tilehurst, Reading
10/03/2011 at 15:50

Tom_Foolery, Reading

Don't feel silly, stick ur chin up and ur 2 fingers (just like Milly did to his own fans when he kept kicking the ball into touch). Have some pride lad. Some ppl on here would say they have never made a single mistake in their lives. Yet I know one thing, their parents most certainly did. LOL

Fancirca1963, Calcot, Reading
10/03/2011 at 15:47

Yes, you're right a lucky escape Pinju. It was a close contest by McDermott was just chosen ahead of me.

What a wacky, crazy notion that I might believe one footballer may not be a good as another footballer from that same club. Total madness.

Also, Chris Scott, I'm pleased that you've pointed out the incredibly bad foresight I had in calling myself Tom Foolery. I certainly feel silly now. Who would have known that some bright spark could have turned such an ordinary name against me in such a cutting manner?

Tom_Foolery, Reading
10/03/2011 at 15:05

Luckily for us, Tom's not the manager then...

Pinju, Tilehurst
10/03/2011 at 13:32

That's a whole lot of anger just for me thinking some players are better than others!

Yes, I saw the Everton game, I also saw his performances for 2 years before that. One swallow doesn't make a summer, as they say.

I did, however, very much enjoy seeing a 6"3, 13 stone centre back rolling around on the floor holding his face last Saturday, when an opponent brushed against his shoulder. Not the first time this season either.