Reading FC

Joseph Mills has told Brian McDermott he is ready to make his full debut should the Reading boss shuffle his pack following their fourth defeat in a row
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Joseph Mills ready to make his mark at Reading FC

By Jonny Fordham
August 30, 2011

Joseph Mills has told Brian McDermott he is ready to make his full debut should the Reading boss shuffle his pack following their fourth defeat in a row.

Mills made his second cameo appearance for Royals in their 1-0 loss at Hull City when he replaced first-choice left-back late in the second-half.

And with experienced campaigner Harte at fault for the Tiger's winner, 21-year-old Mills is sitting tight for his chance.

Former Southampton defender Mills said: "Hartey is there at the moment, he's doing well and he is a top player.

"I have to work hard in training and when I do get my chance I have to show what i can do. If the manager needs me, I'm there for selection."

Royals will be now have to wallow in their depressing defeat for the next 11 days due to the international break.

They go again when Watford visit Madejski Stadium on Saturday, September 10 (3pm kick-off).

And on reflection of losing a game lacking if quality at the KC Stadium, Mills admitted: "It was a game where neither team decided to come out of it with three points.

"There weren't any real clear-cut chances and it was a goal that was really a cross, which no one could do anything about.

"It was a difficult game away from home, but a draw would have been a fair result.

"It's the start of the season and there're still so many games to go. We have spoken about the situation and we need to get out of it as soon as possible.

"It's a long season and we have the break now so everyone can recover. We go again against Watford and hopefully we can turn it around.

"It would have been nice to get something at Hull to go into the break, but now we have even more of an incentive to come back stronger."

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Most recent user comments 9 of 9

John2875, I wouldn't have called Sidwell a playmaker. Box to box midfielder deffinitely. Brian Howard is a playmaker. Unfortunately, despite his ability, he isn't consistent enough.

TilehurstSouthbank, Tilehurst, Reading
31/08/2011 at 08:16

a bit worried that some of our more senior and influentual players have seen other key players leaving, and have started feeling a little pressure now sits on their shoulders. not that this is a bad thing but we are going to need someone to step up to the plate and perform.

hopefully with the new signings of this week will place the correct pressure on them to hold their places.

i also believe if harte is not scoring set peices and penalties he is of no use to us.

ajr111, swindon
30/08/2011 at 19:19

Good signings that should make a difference, Reading certainly need right and left defenders who can cope with pace and a striker who can actually put the ball in the net! However the club is still in need of a mid-field playmaker in the mould of Steve Sidwell, someone who can direct the game and make things happen. I was saddened on Saturday at the apparent lack of desire to win, a very lacklustre performance which I hope will not be repeated.

John 2875

John2875, Marlow
30/08/2011 at 15:11

I think 5 games into a new season is a little early to make judgements on the squad and its deficiencies.

Shane Long is a big loss and would be to any team at this level - we have not seen Le Fondre yet. McD stuck to his guns and played Shane Long and that worked perhaps he needs to show the same faith in his striker selection going forward.

Matt Mills a good quality centreback but I think his loss is made worse by the fact that Zurab and Ivar have also departed and that Khumalo despite being part of a Premier League squad doesn't look up to it. Gorkss is an ideal replacement an example of McD making the right decision.

The two fullbacks - they are good players but they are being targetted by opposition due to the lack of pace - this tactic seems to be working at the moment as it did in some games last season, although I would say that the goal on Saturday was a bit of a wonder strike and I wouldn't blame Harte - I think Cummings and Mills will be seen more and more this season.

We don't have a hugh contingent of players on international duty and the next two weeks represents a good opportunity for the team to gel.

If we play 4-4-2 then I cannot see we need anymore midfielders if we go 4-5-1 then I agree with most we would need a link man in that Gylfi mould. I suspect that will go with 4-4-2....

We should judge this team after 10 or 15 games as to what areas need strengthening- although having said that we were mid table at this point last season and Shane has scored about 3 or 4 goals and look what happened!

I am quite optimistic and looking forward to seeing how the new boy does up front. Maybe I am being a little niave but aren't most supporters at the start of the season?

C'mon URZZZ!

Robsy , Reading
30/08/2011 at 13:46

Naive supporters and management - just because it was good enough for last season doesn't mean its good enough for this season.

I'm sending this by email not postcard. The world moves on!

Oh yes
30/08/2011 at 13:00

Obviously I've been in a coma - I didn't realise that Manset & Le Fondre had started up front together! So I cannot give an opinion as to whether it will work. LOL

Funny Leigertwood & Karacan were the heart of the midfield which drove RFC to the mediocrity of the play-off final but somehow not now good enough!

Yep its not been a great start - but then I would suggest people take a look at the past two seasons they were not exactly terrific either!!

We now have a squad that looks to have more strength in depth than it did two weeks ago - 2 players plus for each position.

I am looking forward to seeing if Le Fondre can do the business and would expect to see more of Mills & Cummings over the course of the season.

C'mon URZ!

Robsy , Reading
30/08/2011 at 11:56

New centre midfielder is needed to push ledge and Jem, Gunnar, Tabb and Howard just not good enough at this level. Manset and Le Fondre up top with Hunt as backup, doesn't impress me. Church out on loan to league 1. McAnuff releived of Captain and given to Gorkss, let mcanuff concentrate on his own game. Cummings and Mills as full backs and McCarthy back in goal. For all the good saves Feds does he lets him too many cheap goals!!

RFC4EVA, reading
30/08/2011 at 11:12

Just signing 3 players is not enough they need to bring in another 2 more experienced players to fill the gaps when they get injuries through the season.

cav007, Caversham
30/08/2011 at 10:17

Look at the Stats on various web-sites. It was one-sided and Hull deserved their victory.

Will McD's loyalty to the silver brigade and reliance on Sunday league tactics cost him his job?

Come on - someone sort it out.