Criticism shocks Royals manager

Anthony Smith • Published 28 Feb 2013 09:55 12 Comments

READING FC manager Brian McDermott is reminding fans that things have never been so good despite last weekend's Wigan Athletic debacle.

Reading were beaten 3-0 on Saturday and McDermott was barracked by supporters from the sidelines.

However, Royals boss hit back at the boo boys this week and was quick to remind them of the giants strides the club has taken in the past decade.

Speaking exclusively to the Reading Chronicle, he said: "The majority of our fans are fantastic. They understand the heritage of this club and where we have come from.

"I would say that in the last 10 years or so, Reading Football Club has known nothing but success.

"I bet clubs like Leeds United and Portsmouth would love to swap places with us right now, and there are plenty more clubs in that boat."

The Wigan defeat was Reading's third straight loss in all competitions, leaving them one point from safety in the relegation zone.

McDermott added: "I understand the crowd will be unhappy when you lose a game, but all I know is that everything went against us on the day, it really did.

"A few fans sitting behind the dugout were getting on to me during the game which was unusual. I didn't react to it but I was a little surprised if I'm honest.

"It doesn't bother me in the slightest but I must stress it is not helpful for the players."

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Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Sir Dodger Royal
  Unregistered User
  Feb 28, 10:29
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  The pressure is getting to McDonet. Clearly been watching Raff's Press Conference. Get a life and starting earning your wages. You are in the big time but clearly not for long. It's your team, your signings, your tactics, your lack of motivational skills, your lack of innovative coaching ideas so sort that lot outttttttt
  
  Real Facts. Real World. You know it makes sense.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 12     No 30

• 

  Northy
  Unregistered User
  Feb 28, 10:49
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  The numpty above is exactly what BMc is talking about. All of these 'fans' can't even string sentence together let alone be in a position to criticise! Yes, we lost a game but to a Wigan team who on their day are a good Premiership side. Supporters need to do that, support the team. The boos and constant moaning do nothing to help so if we got behind the boys regardless of the score the team will react.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 23     No 9

• 

  Wrighty
  Unregistered User
  Feb 28, 11:41
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  So I should be grateful that we are where we are and then stump up good money to watch a team that is in good spirits show no backbone, no cutting edge, naive defending and an inability to muster any shots? That does not mean we should all become boo boys and I do not think many are, they just want to see some of that 'spirit' on the pitch. I think the pitiful performance on Sat deserved some crtical feedback from the fans rather than just a 'hoorah, we're in the premiership'!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 15     No 6

• 

  Steve100
  3 posts
  Feb 28, 12:11
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  keep at it Brian! 99% of the fans are right behind you and the team!! 99% of us understand and appreciate where this club has come from, and just how hard it is to compete in the premier league (especially with our budget!).
  
  U'RRRRRRSSS!!!!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 15     No 8

• 

  surreybob
  Unregistered User
  Feb 28, 13:11
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  Look where Swansea have come from in 10 Years
  
  Recommend?   Yes 6     No 1

• 

  rh28
  Unregistered User
  Feb 28, 14:15
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  @ Wrighty
  
  No - you should just be a bit more mature and understand that in the PL we aren't going to win every week and sometimes things aren't going to go to plan. In the recent past many clubs have made kneejerk reactions to short term setbacks and very of few of them (if any) have benefitted.
  
  And by the way losing 3-0 at home doesn't automatically mean that the players showed no spirit or backbone. There are plenty of players who would have thrown the towel in at 3-0 and down to 10 men but I didn't see that in any player wearing a blue and white hooped shirt on Saturday. We lacked quality in critical areas but please don't tell me the likes of McAnuff, Leigertwood and Harte stopped trying.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 3     No 4

• 

  Russy B
  Unregistered User
  Feb 28, 14:33
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  Lets put this one to "bad day in the office" as they say, every Reading player should be able to take a long look at themselves after that game, the performance, the effort and desire had gone from every single one of them 4 out of 10 performances all round. Wigan were good yes but we were equally as bad. I don't like booing your own team.
  
  Most of the time this season you cannot fault the effort of the players whatever the result, I think they can pick themselves up again and march on forwards.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 5     No 1

• 

  Andy
  Unregistered User
  Feb 28, 14:48
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  I wouldn't mind going down as long as we actually competed in games and showed some passion. They can do it, they have played better recently and hopefully this is just a blip. Our inability to keep the ball is worrying and how little we create chance wise during the game. I dislike the way Brian always refers to the past all the time almost using as a scapegoat to deflect the blame of him and the team. We all know where we came from and how well we have done to get here but we want to stay here as this is where we belong! Whether that's taking more risks in the transfer market or playing a different style of football something has to change or we will keeping coming across the same problems.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 2

• 

  OldNed
  Unregistered User
  Feb 28, 16:09
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  Let's face it; last Saturday we were outplayed and outfought by a decent PL side, and if we are brutally honest, we don't pass the ball or keep it as well as most other teams in this league. But having said that, the players usually give it all they've got. Against Wigan, for some reason, they didn't or couldn't. Evenso, we could have been one or two up before they scored. But however disappointed or frustrated you might be, you don't 'boo' your own team, in my book. All it does is make them more nerevous and tentative. Most of us don't have a bad day at the office in front of 20,000 people.
  
  Win or lose they're our team.
  
  I have supported Reading for over 60 years through thick and thin. Believe me, most of it has been thin, in the lower divisions. So perhaps I am a little more grateful than those who have only known a more succesful Reading that I am watching my team play at the highest level. COME ON YOU RRRz
  
  Recommend?   Yes 3     No 1

• 

  randomhuman322
  Unregistered User
  Feb 28, 20:02
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  He has as much sense as he has hair. One can only assume he's been to sunnier climes, forgot the noggin lotion and got sunstroke. At least then this verbal cobblers might make some kind of sense...
  
  Recommend?   Yes 5     No 3

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  dickemery
  Unregistered User
  Mar 1, 11:08
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  the manager is out of his depth,the tactic is down to him ,the players are down to him,to remind him we have won 5 games out of 27 played,the fans have a right to be disappointed,they help to pay his wages,time and excuses have run out,no doubt the russian will be looking for a new manager up to the task
  
  Recommend?   Yes 5     No 1

• 

  Shylock Manly
  Unregistered User
  Mar 3, 22:46
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  Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 3     No 2

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