Reading FC

Dean Austin: “The performances in the last three games have been inexcusable.”
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Austin: Reading FC's performances are "indefensible"

By Jonny Fordham
October 22, 2009

Dean Austin admits that Reading’s last three performances have been “indefensible”.

Royals have gone on a dismal run of three defeats on the bounce, conceding nine goals and scoring just twice as they loom precariously above the relegation zone in 21st place and two points from safety.

More than 800 travelling fans turned on manager Brendan Rodgers and his staff during the 4-1 thrashing by QPR on Tuesday night and assistant manager Austin knows they were entitled to vent their anger.

“The performances in the last three games have been inexcusable,” said the former Tottenham Hotspur right-back.

"No one has a divine right to win a game of football and you can’t play like we have.

“But there’s no time to sit around and feel sorry for ourselves, I’m ready to go again and we have to pick ourselves up and prepare for the next game.

“The fans are entitled to react like that, they’ve paid their money and it isn’t nice, but this is football.

“This is the profession I chose to go into and the rest of the players and staff we have to deal with it and I can totally understand where the fans are coming from.”

The 39-year-old who followed Rodgers from Watford to Madejski Stadium also told fans that everyone at the club was feeling their pain.

“Everything the fans are feeling then we are feeling just as much,” said Austin.

“As a team we need to come together at this moment in time and remain strong as a group and we need the support of the fans as they are so important to us and our success.

“Opposition teams can often sense unrest and will feed off that, so as a group it is vital we all stay together.”

And Austin also believes that the Reading squad have been prepared as efficiently and meticulously as possible for every game so far this season.

He added: “As a coaching team we are doing everything we possibly can and there is no way the team could be better prepared for games.

“Tactically, technically and physically there is no way we can be any more prepared than we have been all season.

“But once the players get past that white line it is down to them to make the right decisions.

“But as a coaches it is up to us to pick the players up, work with them in training and get the best out of the squad we have here.”

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i believe inherantly that rodgers reign was doomed from the start,1) he was never gonna be able to attract any sort of quality player on the cheap, as a manager of reputation would, 2) his experience within the game does not give him the contacts required to get players in of the nature he talks about (ie. quality)as the wage structure imposed on him (chelsea reserve players are paid more than our top earners). 3) he doesn't have a reputation high enough to change the air of negativity around the club inherited from when coppell left( i for one didn't jump out of my seat when he was appointed especially when the names that were bounded about by NH. and JM. in the press). none of these things are his fault, they are of the powers that be, but he needed a good start to make it work and unfortunately hasn't, and i think the air of negativity needs lifting from our club now and there are only 2 things that can do that 1) give him some money to make some major signings,but on his track record already would you trust him to spend your money, i think not. the other is,if the board wont back him financially then they must decide now to sack him and get a face in who can lift the place and then back him financially as this is now gone on long enough and can't be good for all parties concerned, especially rfc which is more important than any manager, director of football or owner.

ajr111, swindon
23/10/2009 at 08:23

Oh, so we do have other coaches at the club. I thought they were just there for decor. Madejski Out, Rodgers out.

Paul Brayson
22/10/2009 at 21:23

NH or SJM will not make any statement as it will be seen as the dreaded vote of confidence.

BR fan, Reading
22/10/2009 at 21:13

I really really want it to get better but am increasingly believing it won't. This week we have had rodgers saying that all of the best players have left the club and now austin wading in and blaming the players. Is this going to help? Rodgers also saying that the fans need to get real about expecting promotion shocked me a bit - hasn't he been saying since he came that we were going for promotion this year and would be the best footballing side? He also said this week that 'statistically in every way we are up there with the top 2 teams' - what stats?

Brendan - please stop talking to the press for a while, pick a team, stick with it and get us some points asap.

Alan Oakes
22/10/2009 at 20:05

“Everything the fans are feeling then we are feeling just as much,” said Austin. N

No your not, while you were swanning around playing football for Southend & Spurs, not even aware Reading had a football team, I was stood on the Southbank every week cheering my team on. I will also be cheering my team on long after you've gone, so please don't patronise me !

ScubaDoo, Newbury
22/10/2009 at 20:04

Chris the Vic has only got it half right but BR SCREWED UP the progress Mackay made as interim manager with his COMPLETE STUPIDITY in changing-players-positions-style and dropped us into bottom 3 for first time.

Only when he went back to Mackay`s way did we get results.

BR is an arrogant fool.

Watford Hero
22/10/2009 at 16:22

Kristina i feel your comments are justified and a consistent team and a system to play is a must, under SC every week it was the same side good performance or bad performance he never had a knee jerk reaction and i feel that if BR just does that then the players can start to play the way he wants them to, but changing the side every game doesn't help anyone and i feel baring injuries if he had picked the same side from the first game of the season up until now he would have picked up more points and the we would not even be having this debate.. having said that the way the season has gone every fan has the right to criticise the players and the manager..

FRED BAINES
22/10/2009 at 15:16

They should all go NOW i didnt know Mr Austin could talk ,havent heard from before, we have carried some useless baggage in the past but this gang are the worst i can rememeber in 59 years of being a Reading supporter,its very sad .

grumpywilliam, reading
22/10/2009 at 15:12

The team are just basically confused. They don't appear to know if/who they will be playing with each week. The talent is there - they just need come consistency and guidance!! When they play well they play very well. This is when they need the support - not constant criticism!

Kristina Chaplin
22/10/2009 at 15:01

I think every employee of rfc who is involved in the playing side should be banned from interviews and made to concentrate on putting things right on the pitch....

FRED BAINES
22/10/2009 at 14:14

What a load of rubbish MrAustin....last year at WFC you took over a club struggling like the Royals....You and Judas brought in the spine we needed...Wilkinson..Cork...gave chances to Ras and Priskin and it worked. This year you lot tried to be clever...messed up on Smith thru the clever Nicky and didnt get the basics....missed out on Cork and priskin and only got Ras....bought Jobi who has always flattered to deceive...what did you spend at Watford to turn them round £400k and now you turn on the players you are pathetic.

Get a structure...play to their strengths and start winning instead of whining....Earn YOUR money on the training pitch and with the quality of player and a good work ethic the true fans will support you. Blame everyone else and you will deservedly be unemployed. At the moment it is down to you to give them heart and ensure they can work their socks off and keep their heads up.

You have everything you need Austin except the ability to carry out your duties....NO MORE EXCUSES and a bit of Integrity OK

chris the vic, Berkshire
22/10/2009 at 14:08

Correct me if i',m wring but isn't it the case that: Rodgers brought his players in; Rodgers picks the team; Rodgers determines the 'tactics'.

Who else should we blame?

BigJ
22/10/2009 at 13:53

TJN has hit the nail on the head. Brendan Rodgers has become the obvious and very easy target and it would appear that his superiors are more than happy to let him take the flak.

Back him (with actions and money, not just words) or sack him. You are at the top of the management tree and control the club in more ways than one. Therefore, if things aren't going right, it is ultimately down to you.

HARB
22/10/2009 at 12:55

The deeper issues go back to Lord Steve getting us promotion for tuppence, and SJM thinking that life can be like that all the time. Then he failed to back Lord Steve when he wanted a few bob last January. I conclude SJM spending money on assets is one thing, players another. He is now just being himself.

Bingley, Woodley
22/10/2009 at 12:48

I know you've got to fill the paper, but I want performance from RFC, not Caco de Toro. I was always taught you short about it when you've done it, not this endless drivel. Get the feeling no one at RFC has the slightest clue what to do. By the way Kingsley Royal, the son gets asked if I am you. No, I can't even run to wit now.