Reading FC

West Ham United players make their feelings towards Reading FC winger Jimmy Kebe clear
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'Sockgate' not a big deal, says Reading FC captain

By Jonny Fordham
December 15, 2011

Jimmy Kebe's ‘sock antics’ during Reading’s win against West Ham United on Saturday has prompted a number of football phone-ins this week.

After the Royals winger stopped in the middle of play with the ball at his feet to fiddle with his socks, Hammers midfielder Jack Collison took exception and launched into him with a studs-up tackle and was subsequently sent off.

A number of ex-professionals have criticised Kebe with BBC pundit Steve Claridge concluding: “It’s disrespectful towards the opposition and to start taking the mick at that stage of the game is unecessary.

“It doesn’t suprise me that it’s not an English player that has done it.”

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However, Royals skipper Jobi McAnuff believes that people are making too much out of it all.

He said: “It’s been blown out of proportion. I think if we had played a side lower down in the table, not as much would have been made out of it.

“For us, we’re just concentrating on what was a great performance and a great win. We will let everyone else talk about it and form their own opinions.

“If you watch Jimmy it is something he does generally. I guess if you haven’t seen it before you would take it a different way.

“So from out point of view, knowing all of that – he’s always fiddling with is socks and that’s why we’re not looking at it as out of character or something he hasn’t done before.

“A lot of other stuff has happened with more high profile players and it gets looked on in a different light.

"I can understand why West Ham got frustrated, but you can never react in that way.”

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Steve Claridge putting more weight on a harmless bit of teasing than a two footed studs up assualt is a major concern.

He should spend more time worrying about the fact his face looks like a big toe, rather than spouting xenophobic justifications for violence.

Ryucoo, Caversham
16/12/2011 at 11:57

When it comes to "sportmanship" I find diving more offensive. Boo flipping hoo.....bravo jimmy.

Lester Crinklesack
15/12/2011 at 23:10

Well, for me and those around me (with the exception of those who should really have been in the South Stand), Saturday afternoon was the best of the season, and Jimmy's showboating (even if it - ahem - wasn't) was the icing on the cake and one of the most delightful moments of the season. After all, isn't it supposed to be about entertainment? Chris Witcher (STAR)

Greenfly, Marlow
15/12/2011 at 18:37

ElmParker - great fun idea! Reading failed to roll over and West Ham simply got frustrated and lost their discipline. Collinson deserved his straight red, regardless of what mr Claridge thinks. Watching Nolan completely lose it too just added to the merriment.

Uncle Buck, Reading
15/12/2011 at 16:28

Dont be so harsh, they had to leave early to go home to their homes in Basingstoke and Tilehurst to quietly seeth.

Bushes Bernal
15/12/2011 at 13:43

Like you said earlier Bushes. Good job it's not "Stand in the ground" as they don't last the full 90 minutes. Given our stewards they'd barely last 10 in the home ends.

Hopeful Hoops, Reading
15/12/2011 at 12:56

Its gone all Green Street in here!

STAND YOUR GROUND!

Bushes Bernal
15/12/2011 at 12:12

Don't forget though we shouldn't be too harsh them. After all apparently their club did give us England's best sporting moment in 1966. Not that the goals from that Man Utd player that got us into the final counted for much. Or that guy from Leicester in goal, or the little Blackpool kid on the wing who more or less ran W.Germany ragged...

Hopeful Hoops, Reading
15/12/2011 at 12:07

Hopeful Hoops, from my position in the North Stand the away end was looking very sparce well before final whistle.

But those West Ham 'followers' will tell you that never happened, that they were cheering till the end and they are a bigger club blah blah blah.

Bushes Bernal
15/12/2011 at 11:54

I'd be careful how you use that term "supporters" there Bushes...

Does that include the thousands on saturday the decided getting on the M4 20 minutes earlier was a better option than cheering their team on for a come-back or at least off the pitch come full-time?

Hopeful Hoops, Reading
15/12/2011 at 11:36

Watch out, those poor sensitive West Ham supporters will steam in here crying.

Agreed about Claridge, a dullard and imebile. For all the hoo haa about Clarkson's comments I am wondering why the BBC employ such a xenophobic cretin like Claridge.

Bushes Bernal
15/12/2011 at 11:18

Steve Claridge is the poorest Pundit on TV. He makes Andy Townsend seem bright. We shouldn't be shocked by his ignorant comments. Get Robbie Savage on instead!

TilehurstSouthbank, Tilehurst, Reading
15/12/2011 at 11:05

ElmParker, I love it! Consider it done on my part.

Jonathan Bond
15/12/2011 at 09:51

I think it's brilliant. Didn't think I'd see the day Reading were able to showboat a little against a supposed 'big' club.

It may not surprise Claridge that it wasn't an English player doing it, but then it may not surprise many that it was a British (less Welsh than Simon Church) player flying in with his studs in response to a bit of show boating.

It certainly allowed Kebe to win back a few brownie points with me after this whole contract fiasco.

...and seeing Nolan get all so wound up was brilliant after the last time he came here with Newcastle and bullied his way around the place. He's a sore loser and I bet Ian Harte wound him up a treat.

W G, Reading
15/12/2011 at 09:39

Who cares what Claridge thinks! I was sitting about 50yrds away from where he did it and i and fans around me thought it was Hilarious. As an aside, i'm convinced Kebe has a twin brother who can't play football who he gets to stand in for him from time to time. I've never seen a player who one week is brilliant then the next literally can't make a pass. Great result against West Ham, like watching a game from the Premiership years. This time next year we'll be in Europe! lol.