Reading FC

Reading boss Brian McDermott was pleased with the clean sheet and point against high-flying Middlesbrough going in into the international break
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Brian McDermott pleased with performance against Boro

By Jonny Fordham
October 03, 2011

Reading boss Brian McDermott was pleased with the clean sheet and point against high-flying Middlesbrough going in into the international break.

Goalkeeper Adam Federici had a busy afternoon and produced a smart double save late in the first-half and had the woodwork to thank twice late on.

With Royals drawing 0-0 at Madejski Stadium on Saturday, they now have until October 15 until their next Championship game - away to Burnley (3pm kick-off).

"I thought it was a pretty good point at home against one of the best sides that have come to Madejski Stadium in the last year or so," said McDermott.

"The way they play is unusual with three at the back and we had to adjust our shape a little bit. They know their system well and they've got a lot of experienced players.

"I thought we were right in the game in the first half, played some nice stuff and a few things just didn't fall for us.

"Our inexperience showed a little bit in the second half and we probably needed to kick on a bit more than we did after half time.

"But our boys were resilient. You compare that to the Watford game where we lost 2-0 - it's worlds apart.

"We got some really good blocks in right at the end, which demonstrated that and we did well to keep a clean sheet.

"We've not had as many clean sheets as we would want - but you look at the average age of that back four [23.5 years] and you realise we are a work in progress.

"Feds made two match-winning saves against Bristol City earlier in the week and we had to rely on him to pull off a great double save in the first half."

Simon Church and Adam Le Fondre looked lively up front and both came close to opening the deadlock in either half.

And Royals were left to rue what they thought should have been a penalty in the second-half after Church caused all kinds of problems in the box.

McDermott added: "We thought it was a pen, I've seen it [the Church decision] and it was onside, sometimes you get it and sometimes you don't.

"The margins are tight but it's fine, no problem, it does happen. We've got a few days off now I think they will need that. It was important we got a result with the two week break.

"Last time we lost at Hull before a break and that wasn't a good feeling. A few of the players will be going away with their countries of course and we hope they all come back healthy.

"Me personally...I don't know what i'm going to do. I'm very dull!

"I watch a lot of football. I don't actually know what I do apart from football!"

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Most recent user comments 9 of 9

Hopefully we will move on and with a bit of confidence we will improve but tactics must change surely. There were periods when we passed the ball well on the deck and after a while someone would lose patience and just boot it up the park in the hope that Alfie (all 5 feet of him) or Church would get it which most times they didn't. We must play most of our football on the ground which at present we aren't- that surely is the way forward. As Brian Clough once pointed out "If god had wanted us to play football up in the clouds he would have put grass there".

SKAN, STAFFORDSHIRE
03/10/2011 at 18:11

Don't recall a game when there was so little to remember about our play. If Mid had a striker they could be a good team but can see them falling away. Oh I so wish we had someone who could make the play instead if booting the ball up field and hoping the front runners can make something of it.

Bingley, Woodley
03/10/2011 at 17:32

I missed the last 2 games due to holiday, I thought Church looked like he has come on a lot! I have always liked Church, thought he needed more time to prove himself or maybe go out on loan last season but thought he looked a lot more confident and a much better player on Saturday. I think him and Alfie link up quite well and after a couple more games playing together and getting used to each other they will form a great partnership.

McAnuff was our worst player, he frustrates me, dont think he is captain material at all! Gorkss for captain I think!! Come on URRRRRRRZZZ!!

The Sig lover!!
03/10/2011 at 15:26

I listened to the match on Radio Berkshire and Church was hardly mentioned yet one of the Sunday papers made him man of the match. Very strange.

Bigboy, woodley
03/10/2011 at 15:01

Very few teams at Championship level that have not played in the Premier League. I don't think its a poor league, indeed I think having a league where almost any team can beat another makes it more unpredictable. Maybe teams that are promoted from the Champ fair better because of this. I don't think any of the promoted teams from last year look out of place?

In defence of McD and his subs - I'm not sure the changes he made were wrong, perhaps late? I think he has been hampered by the silly 5 player maximum rule!

Happy with the fact that 8 of the 11 RFC goals have been score by strikers - the other 3 by the wingers! Couldn't by a striker a goal this time last year!

Robsy , Reading
03/10/2011 at 13:56

If Middlesbrough are the second best side in this league - its a poor league.

On holiday for last match so I have seen one shot on target in two games.

Again appalling substitutions by McD.

Oh yes
03/10/2011 at 13:06

'Church caused all kinds of problems in the box' - was I at the same game?

The Realist
03/10/2011 at 12:56

@ Jordans Bra - depends when you started supporting Reading :-) -- To be picky Le Fondre shot on target in 2nd half.

Thought it was a game of 2 halves (I know I know) Reading were better in the first half - Boro in second half. Marvin Emnes was a class apart and he could of/should of made the difference. Other than him I thought it was two evenly matched sides.

A really entertaining 0-0 - which happens a lot more often than you'd think!!!

The Championship seems even more unpredictable than ever!