Reading FC

Bah humbug! McDermott's Christmas ruined after late City goal

By Jonathan Low
December 22, 2012

Brian McDermott said his Christmas had been ruined after Reading’s agonising 1-0 defeat to Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The Reading boss and his bench were visibly incensed with Gareth Barry’s 93rd minute winner, after the England midfielder had appeared to climb on top of substitute Nicky Shorey at the far post.

“It was an absolute joke,” said McDermott.

“We’ve had that a few times this season. We’ve had three or four of those decisions, all of which has cost us points.

“I said to the referee at the end he would be gutted he missed it.

“You can hang on in the air all day if you’re on someone’s back. But it was an absolutely certain foul.

"One thing’s for sure that’s ruined my Christmas.”

And McDermott said he felt his side merited a point.

“We certainly deserved to get at least a draw today,” he said.

“I’m really disappointed for our fans and the players today because we really didn’t deserve that."

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The black hole was something that Jm was not able/not prepared to cover.

Either way, it forced the club to cash its assets in. Brian mentioned this when interviewed at the time of the takeover. He made a point of saying that this would no longer be the case in the future.

The shenanigans about cat1 status rumble on. Seems to me that the goalposts (forgive the pun) are being moved to ensure that the system favours the big powerful clubs. (Plus ca change....)

Totally agree about player ambition and the draw of bigger, more glamorous clubs affecting player retention. It doesn't matter how much money we offer, if Barcelona came sniffing around Karacan, he'd go. Pearce will be wearing a Liverpool shirt in 2013.

ray northstander
24/12/2012 at 10:28

We can spend as much time discussing the Academy as we wish, but if Cat 1 status isn't achieved we're pretty much screwed. The inspection was made some time ago, but still no confirmation of their findings (as far as I'm aware). Anyone have an info on devbelopments, in this regard?

Perhaps, we're now investing to achieve the standards required. My concern would be that if we aren't sucessful, even if it's delayed by a year, our better academy players will be offski?

If we're relegated (and we don't seem moved to do an awful lot to prevent demotion), then we'll see if AZ has a plan of any kind.

Again, we can talk about retaining our better players but I'm yet to be persuased that'll be the case. What if they want to leave, won't sign a new contract, or we discover the annual financial black hole?

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
24/12/2012 at 10:09

Rest of WHAT money ? A) "Investment" isn't just about transfer fees. Spending money on the academy would suggest to most that he's looking at the longer term.

B) Who cares if he's going to garner a higher Uk profile as a result? He has spent his 25 million on taking over our club, RFC: not Swindon. Spurs or any other club.

C) That sentence is the truest thing in your post.

Without that last "lemon", mate, we'd be looking forward to hosting Aldershot at Elm Park in tier 4 over Christmas, not Swansea in the Prem.

ray northstander
24/12/2012 at 09:59

If Anton has only spent 5 million on the transfers where's the rest of the money gone????????

Some serious questions need to be asked about the financial status of the club.

A)Is Anton in for the long haul of the club and investing properly?

B)Only using it to be popular (look at me i've got a football club).

C)Just got a shock how much it costs to be in premiership and how much it costs to run.

Well we will wait and see with the future investment plan he has got lined up for January window. If nothing is done in the transfer market we know we got another lemon as a chairman, just like the last one.

cav007, Caversham
24/12/2012 at 08:58

dickemery, click on this link.

If you dont want to read the transcript, the press conference at which the takeover was announced is on a video.

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2107012_reading_fc_are_russian_millionaires_dream_club

I lost count of how many times Jm and Samuelson use the words prudence, investing in the grassroots like the academy, etc,etc,

I can only conclude that you are one of those who thinks that every oligarch will automatically chuck money around like there is no tomorrow.

In that press conference, and every subsequent interview, TSI could not be more specific about how they plan to take the club forward, whilst maintaining a strong balance sheet.

At no point has AZ actually said "there is no money". You are putting words in his mouth. The only mention of money was made by Brian, who was given a budget to work to, and has spent it.

We shall see in January what money might be available to strengthen the squad.

However, I do beleive that many have got to understand that the main change within the club in the new regime is that Brian no longer has to sell a Gylfi or a Shane Long in order to balance the books. These were both players that the club had developed itself, and this is where TSI are looking to expand. 5 million put into the academy could produce the nucleus of a Reading side 5 years down the line.

Many would prefer that 5M spent on a badge kissing mercenary. I think that is a short term sticky plaster on a severed artery.

ray northstander
24/12/2012 at 08:40

l think the season has been ruined by a russian who came in on a promise,yet says there is no money to buy prem players that obviously are needed,what you say sir john ?

dickemery, caversham
24/12/2012 at 05:12

The following was taken from another website but nonetheless the facts don't lie. Wether it was a foul or not with this record droping a point at City will make no difference!

'Reading's defensive record before they came to the Etihad Stadium was awful.

They had allowed opponents 306 shots on goal in 17 league games, more than any other top-flight team in the major European leagues of England, Spain and Italy.

They also had the worst away record in the Premier League, with only two points from a possible 27, had conceded the most goals - 36 - and their possession percentage of 40% was also the lowest in the division.'

Just My Opinion
23/12/2012 at 20:27

Far better in terms of application and organisation. Shame it's taken 'til the end of December for the penny to drop.

By the way, if City are Champions it underlines how standards of fallen in the last 3 or 4 years.

The rule of thumb with these contentious decisions is to ask a simple question: Would the decision have been given the other way? If you're honest, you'd have to say City would have been awarded a penalty, and a free kick would have been awarded rather than a goal.

The 'ghost goal' at Watford was mentioned, but just remember the manner in which Stuart Attwell officiated the remainder of that game. To say he over compensated for his mistake would be an understatement.

Bit concerned about West Ham having time off before our match, as beneficiaries of the annual Arsenal Boxing Day postponement.

We need two wins against Swansea and Essex 'pretend Cockneys' FC. Anything less and all the spin and excuses in the world won't disguise the feeble, half hearted mess we've made of this season.

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
23/12/2012 at 18:41

Always an excuse for LOSING again!

HWK_UK, Reading
23/12/2012 at 17:44

Danny - or you haven't got a clue!

I'd rather watch a team lose 4 -3 than 1 - 0

well, well, well
23/12/2012 at 15:37

"so we can't have it all our way". What have we had go our way this season? make a list of things that have gone our way and those against us, see the different total? In fact, that phamton goal only fired up Watford, and they came back for a draw.

Forest Royal, Forest of Dean
23/12/2012 at 14:00

I felt at the time that Shorey decided to take a risk by not jumping for the ball hoping to hold off Barry. He knew where Barry was, he glanced back and just tried to make it hard for him to get a connection on the ball.

well, well, well - so you would have played 4-4-2 ? You ain't got a clue. We would have been anhilated. Formation was spot on, we just get he ref descions we deserved.

Danny0367, Chorley, Lancashire
23/12/2012 at 13:24

1 shot on target - we deserved nothing

well, well, well
23/12/2012 at 10:44

Watch the replays, Shorey can see BARRY coming and just stands there and infact bends forward, i'm no footballer but surely if he stands up straight and even jumps he will head the ball away. You have to take the rough with the smooth, Reading accepted the phantom goal against Watford a few seasons ago didn't they so can't have it all our own way!

TABB was never going to get the ball for his penalty claim he was just the weaker man in a one on one. I see no one has mentioned the hand ball on the cross for TABB though, now that was a penalty and missed by the lino and ref.

Still lets get a few new faces in in January and build a strong team to bounce straight back to the Premiership. We do need to get off the 9 point mark though, just reminds me of Derby County.