Reading FC

Brendan Rodgers slams Royals' performance
advertisement

Rodgers slams Reading FC's 'lacklustre' performance against Boro

By Jonny Fordham
October 05, 2009

Brendan Rodgers slammed Reading’s ‘lacklustre’ performance after their 2-0 loss to Middlesbrough as their home league record stretches to 15 games without a win.

Former Royal Leroy Lita ripped into Reading’s defence claiming one goal and rounding off his return to the Madejski Stadium with a quality second goal past his good mate Adam Federici in goal.

Rodgers saw his side slipping back down the table just one place and two points from the drop zone and admitted that some of his players were unrecognisable from the performance of the 2-1 win at Preston just days before.

The Northern Irishman said: “It was a poor performance and I didn't think Middlesbrough had to work very hard to get the win.

“Everything that was good about our win at Preston on Tuesday night was the opposite today.

“Our decision making wasn’t right, it wasn’t like us because at home we’ve played well and created, but this time we were lacklustre.”

For the first time this season the 36-year-old named an unchanged side against Gareth Southgate’s Boro who had come into the game on the back of two defeats and a draw.

The last win in the Championship for loyal Royals fans is still as far back as January 27 as Reading looked to have forgotten how to win a game of football in front of their own supporters.

“We're very disappointed that we couldn't capitalise on a very good performance in the week,” admitted Rodgers.

“It has come back and slapped us in the face. We didn't get on the front foot quickly enough, we were waiting for the game.

That's been the case at home, we seem to be waiting for it to happen instead of making it happen, when we got in the right areas we failed to show enough quality.

“The home form continues now, and it's nothing to do with the crowd. You go to some grounds with a home record like that and you know some crowds would be on top of you.

“Here they give us energy, but we have to give them energy. We need to continue to be brave at home, and make the right decisions.”

Rodgers added: “It hurts, because we want this to be the fortress.

“If you want success then your home place needs to be a tough place to come.

“Some of the players just looked different players today than they have been in other games. It's very frustrating but we will work on that.”

| Submit Comments | View Comments (32)

« Previous Story | Next Story »

Most recent user comments 15 of 32

1 | 2 | 3 | Next Page Show 15 | 25 | 50 per page

Topcat, I so admit to the same disappointment (and pain), but I'll still be there (after 50 years). SJM is now destroying all the good he previously put into the club.

Silver Royal, Woodley
07/10/2009 at 10:40

After over 40 years of supporting Reading fc through thick and thin, the last 22 travelling up from Torquay, my love affair is over with them,the current regime has destroyed my beloved club.It is the worst that I can remember, even through the Maxwell, Smee, times. I have never felt so let down by the club. Perhaps we all got carried away by having our slice of the pie, but it tasted good then, but sour now, with better investment in the squad we would still be eating our pie.

topcat, torquay
06/10/2009 at 20:20

We pay 5-4-1! Karacan plays almost in line with back four, but can be hustled off the ball when the opposition close us down - not convinced this is his best position. We aren't good enough to play with only one forward- we aren't Chelsea! And when we come up against pressure, the answer is not to play deeper or bring on more defensive players, but to have people who can put the opposition back under pressure. Matejovsky should have been given a run out in the second half, with nothing to lose. Can't rely on Kebe when we are up against it, so take him off. Where is Brendan's alleged competence?

Bingley, Woodley
06/10/2009 at 15:18

According to the sun newspaper (don't believe everything you read) this morning BR has been given the dreaded vote of confidence by SJM... is this true?? if so how many games do you think he has to turn it around.

FRED BAINES
06/10/2009 at 09:27

BR is a young and inexperienced Manager. He has come into the Club and seen all of the Silverware sold. He still has Ivar,Gunnarson and muy favourite, Marek, so in my view he can call upon some experience, but what does he do? He plays 3-5-1 (4-3-3), we go behind and he leaves Marek on the Bench. The problem is, BR does not get how Creative Marek can be, Nor are a lot of the young players on the same wavelength as Marek because he is so much better then them. They need Marek playing week in, week out, and the team needs building around him not our Jem who needs more time.

Rasiak needs to start every game he can, with Church and Noel in support at home and on the bench in away games. Marek and Jem/Howard in the Middle are Must starts surely? And if that does not work, then SJM must buy us a quality Striker in the Window.

Whatever BR does, he better do it soon, the Clock is ticking and i feel he can do it but will he before the Axe falls??

Brother Horus
06/10/2009 at 08:57

Scott didn't join as part of the 'magnificent seven', these consisted solely of Newcastle reserve and journeymen from the lower reaches of the Scottish leagues. They did however have one common factor, they were all represented by a certain Glasgow football agency who it later emerged that Burns had a share in.

Keith Scott arrived almost a year later when Asaba left. Pardew was reserve team manager at the time and was very vocal in recomending a certain Walton & Hersham forward called Nathan Ellington. Burns used all his managerial nous to identify that what we realy needed was a talentless carthorse who was a sworn enemy of all the Reading fans because he chose to celebrate a Swindon goal by sticking his fingers up at the Reading supporters. Wycombe were desperate to get him off there books and were touting him around on a free because a) he was by far their highest earner, and b) he was rubbish. Burns legendary eye for a bargain was confirmed when he went straight in with a 230k bid. Only Sean Evers made this look reasonable.

However,how wrong we were when Ellington went to Bristol Rovers and was never heard of again, but Scott with his lightning hit a consistent 40 goals a season until his £20 million transfer to Barcelona.

A parralel for this season would be for Rodgers to be sacked in March, Austin to have one game in charge before we spend a load to bring Hoddle in for the last 10 games. He signs half the Wolves youth team but we go down anyway and half way through next season we sign Dean Windas.

Finaly, didnt 50026, 50135, and D444 sound awesome at the Severn Valley gala?

50 043 Eagle, Old Oak Common
06/10/2009 at 00:12

Brendan obviously did not learn very well from the 'Special one' that one of the basic rules of football is as long as you score one more goal than the opposition, you'll win a game of football !

I cant see that happening playing the formation played against 'boro.

4-4-2 is required, especialy at home.

We are never going to win at the mad stad with 1 up front.

I'm not saying that we will win every game with 4-4-2, but surely we would have more chance of winning - wouldnt we ?

Danny0367, Chorley, Lancashire
05/10/2009 at 19:50

Hey, and in amongst all the negativity, look at this good news:

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4664668.Worthing_teen_paralysed_in_tree_fall_could_be_Paralympic_heroine/

The club sent Murts along to see her (typically though after they'd sacked him - what a top bloke!).

Also so pleased to hear she's been allowed home now! Let's hope she continues to make progress. Go Lauren!

Abu Hani, Sussex
05/10/2009 at 19:22

Buck screws up yet again - he only played the same side because he is too scared to play the second striker every home team in this division require.Someone had to be brought in to blame for JM cashing in on the players, but why put him on a three year contract and pay Watford 1/2m for an inept fall guy?

Pete50
05/10/2009 at 16:47

The question is when will SJM finally hit the panic button. I hope not too late. I suspect he may leave it to the end of the January Transfer Window and we then get a "Magnificent Seven" signings on the last day like when Terry the Taxi left and Burns came in. But look what that gave us; Keith Scott!

ElmParker, South Bedfordshire
05/10/2009 at 16:47

After Saturday it's quite clear this season is now about survival in the division. This means that we treat it like we did the Prem: results against the top 10 sides don't actually matter - and that includes Saturday's. Any points we get against them are a bonus, but it's the sides around us at the bottom that matter.

I think we'll need a minimum of 12 wins from the remaining 35 games. Do-able, but ain't going to be easy. We have to look to take maximum points off Ipswich, Plymouth, Barnsley, Scunny, etc.

If we go into February still needing 7 or 8 wins, then something drastic will have to be done - but could be too late by then.

So my question is: will 46-48 points be enough?

Abu Hani, Sussex
05/10/2009 at 16:44

I'm still willing to give Brenda some slack, as it's not his fault all our best players were sold. Can't excuse him for formation choice and poor substitutions though. However, it's ironic that those who left this summer (Doyle, Lita, Hunt, Harps, Rosenior, Bikey, Henry) have all scored for their new clubs already. Typical.

I agree with others that Marek should get a run of games now, and I'd like to see Tabb back too. How can't he make the squad? Has he told Brenda a few home truths, and not just about the size of his watch?

One post match comment that caught my attention was a query about the players fitness. It does seem a coincidence that we generally perform much worse in the second half of games (Sheff Utd, Watford, P'boro, Preston, M'boro). Brenda has previously stated he focuses more on ball work than fitness, and players do seem to struggle more as a game progresses. I'd like to see some Optima stats or whatever they are called, to see if this supports a lack of fitness issue. I don't think this is the only reason for our demise, but I think it's a major factor. If only Harps was still here. No one could question his engine.

Anyone know if bookies are giving odds on us going 12 months without a win at 'Fortress Madjeski'? I'd fancy a flutter if there was. At least I might win something.

Biffa, Didcot
05/10/2009 at 16:39

Forget the finace side of things,we have players who do want to play ,Portsmouth players havent been paid ,but look at the effort they put in on saturday, our players are not good enough,and i said at his appointment Brendan is not up the job its to big for him add the fact his main stars were sold he has never had a chance ,but as we all know his job is based on results ,so we must see how patient our chairman will be.