Reading FC

Rodgers: Reading FC home win was like winning the World Cup

By Jonny Fordham
November 21, 2009

Brendan Rodgers said ending Reading’s historic 17 game winless streak in the Championship at Madejski Stadium felt like winning the World Cup.

Royals beat Blackpool 2-1 at home thanks to goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Grzegorz Rasiak to end their 301 days of hell and move them out of the relegation zone and into 20th place.

Ian Holloway’s side did give the home team a bit of a scare in the 58th minute when Brett Or-merod equalised, by 6ft 3ins striker Rasiak sealed the deal with a diving header in the 82nd.

A clearly relived and emotional Rodgers joked after the game: “It was like we won the World Cup out on the pitch.

“It was thoroughly deserved and we had a terrific start to the game and we played well throughout. Hopefully people can see growth and development in the team and that’s helped as it has been more stable over last four games as well.

“Big credit to the players who had been carrying the burden, but kept the confidence and belief so at full time there was a lot of emotions going round, but that win was for all the fans too.

“People can stop talking about the home record now and we can move on.”

Rodgers’ opposite number however, was less than impressed that his side didn't come away from the game with at least a point.

Holloway slated the multi-ball system used by Reading and called for a league wide ban of the tactic as he claimed that it only ever helped the home team who could also use it to control the pace of the game.

But a much happier Rodgers also went on to reveal the his family motto, which he believes has helped him finally end the home hoodoo.

“The motto for the name Rodgers is 'skilful soldier'," added the 36-year-old.

"I will certainly fight for everything as manager of Reading Football Club. We've played well here on a number of occasions but we've just not quite got the result.

"So we've threatened to do that to good sides before and, thankfully, today it came right for us.

"We can walk away having seen a good game of football and enjoy our evening after a win. We'll enjoy our food tonight - it always tastes better after a victory.

"Then, it's about building on that win. Bit by bit, we'll look to grow and work our way up the table. It's not as if we're struggling for confidence so hopefully we can start climbing the table after today."

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Really chuffed with the win regardless of what I think of David Brent....sorry Brendan Rodgers.

Keep it up lads!

Caz Royal, Reading
23/11/2009 at 17:31

nice to see so many positive comments on here for a change - maybe we are getting the old 'feel good factor' back in the club - about time!!

ajr111, swindon
23/11/2009 at 17:22

Great point NIK. Brilliant.

BR fan, Reading
23/11/2009 at 15:43

Maybe Brendan and his team should have gone around town in an open top bus yesterday.

NIK
23/11/2009 at 11:47

Bring on Derby!

Megson, Martinez, Coleman and Hart to name just a few have all gone in to clubs, lost players and had to rebuild and are failing. In comparison to the above i am a hppy with the progress BR has made - I admit it's slower than we expected but there is clear progress and thats all we can ask for given the crap that has gone on!

BTW - Why didn't Bikey and Marek ever share the midfield for Reading - the big man has been brilliant for Burnley!

BR fan, Reading
23/11/2009 at 11:04

we win a home game and u still criticise what he sais hahaha give the man a break! and .. love buddha ' if we get a run together we can finish mid table' have u seen the table? we are about 3 wins off a play off position, we can get better than mid.

h8s-Rfc-Moaners, Reading
22/11/2009 at 17:48

Agree with you Brother - good game yesterday about bloody time we got a win!

Definately need another striker - Kevin Phillips for a couple of months would do the trick.....

Thought Church, McAnuff & Tabb were very very good yesterday. If yesterday is an example of McAnuff being inconsistant then more of the same Jobi!!

Roll on next week at Derby.

C'mon urzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Robsy , Reading
22/11/2009 at 16:34

Yeah and that Rasiak, he wont score you any Goals, Whine,winge, blah. Four goals in 5/6 for Rasiak. I keep saying he is a goal scorer. Maybe not a mobile, dynamic player, but he will score goals. Mind, i think we still need at least 1 Striker more. But at least the better play is now reaping a couple results. Keep it up URzzzz

Brother Horus
22/11/2009 at 14:04

Winning the World Cup is a little over the top but understandable given the build up in temsion at home games. Three games unbeaten with two wins is certainly much better. The team selection is more consistent and there are clear signs of revival. However, I would like to have seen Raziak start the game. Still a lot work to do and next game at Derby is very important.

Exiled in Scotland, Central Scotland
22/11/2009 at 13:41

A welcome win, and at home ! WOW ! I agree with you Exom, I watched the Royals beat Preston, and I thought that this was a turning point, I had to eat my words. Encouraging result as we go to fellow strugglers Derby next week - especially with the milestone win at home under our belts - I see a very real chance of another win away - keep the momentum up boys, and keep the faith you royals.

Danny0367, Chorley, Lancashire
22/11/2009 at 10:13

Not really like winning the world cup, but it was good to finally win at home.

Say what you think, Reading
21/11/2009 at 21:13

Lets not get to carried away with that win, they have the rest of the season to go yet. It is not going to solve the problem of promotion is it, they still need to bring in some good experience that would give good depth to the squad. You can not keep getting loan players to fill in gaps in the squad for afew months then they have to return back to their own club. That will not give consistancy to the players that are trying to keep the club up, then you have the problem if Reading stay up will they have funds for next season to go for promotion?

Expom, Christchurch New Zealand
21/11/2009 at 21:09

Genious: "The motto for the name Rodgers is 'skilful soldier'"

K. Lunge, Djibouti
21/11/2009 at 20:31

I was there, not sure about a world cup atmosphere but defo the best of the season. If we can keep that form we might even finish mid table. Well done guys, actually felt my investment in a season ticket was worthwhile this afternoon. Keep up the good work.