Reading FC

Brian McDermott: 'We've really got to show our personality in the next game and come out fighting'
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Rock-bottom Reading FC must be brave - McDermott

By Jonny Fordham
September 22, 2012

Brian McDermott has told his Reading players that they need to be braver on the ball following their 1-0 defeat to West Brom.

Rock-bottom Royals prop up the Premier League on just one point and things don't get any easier with Alan Pardew's Newcastle United coming to Madejski Stadium next Saturday.

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However, McDermott believes his side are progressing, despite not managing a win in their last four.

He said: "It looked like it was a 0-0 game - or it should have been at least," said the Royals boss.

"I know they hit the post in the first half, but there wasn't much in it and they [West Brom] will regard that as an ugly win. We wanted it to be an ugly win that went our way.

"We have to take the positives. We were better than we were against Spurs, but I know we are better with the ball than we're showing at this moment in time.

"We need to create more chances, be braver with the ball and have more touches in and around their box.

"And this league is unforgiving. Alex McCarthy played well in goal, but he didn't have a chance for the goal - we should have blocked the shot.

"And, at the moment, anything that could go against us is going against us. That won't stay the same throughout the season."

Royals could be handed a major boost if winger Jimmy Kebe can prove his fitness before Wednesday's League Cup game at QPR.

"We need a run of games more than anything else right now," McDermott added.

"It's really important that we get that run of games and stick together as a group, do what we've always done.

"We've got two big players in Jimmy Kebe and Jason Roberts hopefully coming back soon and that will be a big plus for the group.

"But we've really got to show our personality in the next game and come out fighting."

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BM also needs to be 'brave' i.e not showing to much loyalty to players who havent performed over the course of this season and forget about what they did last season bring in mappia at CB so we have some pace at the back bring back cummins at RB and look seriously at the contribution made by ledge, jobi and the POG in the opening 5 games and also find a system that suits the players cos 451 is not a formation these players can play the only CF we've had that could play that formation was nicky forster under alan pardew if he wants 5 in midfield how about looking at 3 at the back so we've still got 2 up top

mappia has to play saturday or ba and cisse will do exactly the same to gorks and pearce that defoe did

last chance saloon
25/09/2012 at 15:01

Either McD has been starved of resources or he's out of his depth or both.

Either way his tactics are poor - Newcastle on Saturday will show whether he's up to the job. Some energetic players passing the ball would be a step in the right direction.

His loyalty to several old timers and his contrasting approach to Fedders shows he's a man out of depth. Fedders might have made 3 or 4 mistakes but he is premiership class whereas some of Dad's Army will never cut it.

In terms of mistakes McD has made more than any single player.

come on lads
25/09/2012 at 13:31

After their 5 matches, we are still the only team to have scored against Chelsea!

AngloinParis, Paris, France
25/09/2012 at 13:06

Watching BR on tele I can only have total respect for whoever put a six month break clause in his contract at Reading. The man is a walking Management Consultant with an ego to match. And getting rid of Carroll because he doesn't play BR's way, when he bought G Rasiak for Reading I seem to recall, just confuses me. Thank goodness we have a sound down to earth guy now managing us. Mind you as the doctor said last time I went, 'your general health is fine but remember that only applies until you reach the door'.

Old Man in the Moon, Woodley
25/09/2012 at 12:49

Craigy boy ... You have got to be one of the most clueless people I seen on here ... Danny Guthrie yes he was a back up player to cabaye and tiote but he was quality for Newcastle in the prem and championship . I went up to Newcastle not so long ago on a ground tour and they couldn't speak highly enough of Danny Guthrie . He's defo too good for the championship !!! As for saying chris Gunter is a good signing I think he's absolutely rubbish . I don't see how he gets ahead of Shaun . He continually gives the ball away , he gets caught to far up the field . The pog yeah his scoring record wasnt the best in Germany but Fulham 6 in 12 that speaks for its self. He's never been a striker to chase back and look for the ball . He's a striker that needs the ball fed to him !!! Maybe you should start being positive and have a look at the first 4 opposition we played. West brom away was never gonna be easy after they beat both Liverpool and Everton there !!!

C J M 10, woodley
25/09/2012 at 10:16

To achieve promotion with the resources available to BM last season was borderline miraculous. All credit to him and the character and application of the players. However, to go into this season with a squad weaker than several of the sides in the Championship is an admission that either you've been starved of resources, or are blindly optimistic. There's nothing wrong, at this stage, that can't be solved with a couple of wins, but in order to do that we'll need to create a chance or two. The sole tactic of lumping the ball in the general direction of our forwards, if the wingers aren't being productive, is unlikely to prove fruitful at this level.

Let's stop this nonsense about rectifying the teams deficiencies in January. Why would a player who can make a difference sign for us, when they're likely to have a number of other options. In any case, will any cash be released?

Last season we started badly because we played as if Shane Long was still in the side. It wasn't until Jason Roberts arrived as a focal point for the attack that we really looked a decent prospect for promotion. Can Jason do the same at this level? Wil he be fit enough to play 25 plus league games? Unlikely.

Ian Harte's Sprint Coach

Simon Butler
25/09/2012 at 09:19

Magpies are like stoke but with more cutting edge. Can we battle more and win more 50/50 balls?

poru, Bournemouth
24/09/2012 at 16:00

Hmm time will tell. Not sure we have enough quality. Expect us to play a lot better against the magpies on saturday. Loads of shots on target

poru, Bournemouth
24/09/2012 at 15:58

Craigy Boy -I always have my 'rose tinted glasses' on when it comes to supporting Reading mate, but I also try to be a realist. Yes, we have signed some very good players, in my opinion. Whether they gel into a mid-table team remains to be seen. I think the point I was trying to make is that some of our existing Championship players don't seem to be able to step up to the mark - one player springs to mind is McAnuff. I’m also not sure that Kebe is Premiership material either, but will give the guy a chance when he plays. We all have our opinions and it’s great to share them, but we all support the same club and want the same thing – success, which I believe isn’t too far away….. Incidentally – I’m also with ‘Hoops’ no to Rednapp – keep Brian as he is a much better prospect long term…… Cheer up guys, we were in the same position a year ago and it all came good with some good January signings…..

Southbank Dave
24/09/2012 at 14:35

Thank you Hopeful Hoops - you've said everything that I was going to say!

By the way its reassuring to see Big P living up to his name again.

RBC Traffic Management are Useless, Calcot
24/09/2012 at 13:40

Southbank Dave... are you serious on point 1???

Danny Guthrie, a regular in Newcastle's Championship campaign, was ousted pretty much as soon as they signed Chuck Tiote in the Premiership.

Gareth McCleary, pretty much one decent season last year after two below par at Championship level.

Pavel Pogrebnyak, never really cut it at top level European clubs, 15 goals in 3 season in German league. A few goals for Fulham make him very good?

Nickey Shorey, do I need to say anything?

Chris Gunter, one fairly good signing, I agree.

If you're calling those very good signings, ready for a Premiership campaign, then I think you're looked through some rose tinted glasses.

Craigy Boy
24/09/2012 at 11:41

Harry Redknapp for Reading? If that happens I'll be straight in the car park waiting for McD as he leaves the Mad Stad... and asking for a lift away from Berkshire. NEVER, NEVER do I want that clown 'Arry in charge of my club.

Some of you need to get yourselves looked at down at RBH's A&E for the sprains you may have just given yourselves in knee-jerking. If I remember rightly (myself included here) most of us thought this time last year that the Championship was looking a three-horse race between Brighton, Southampton and West Ham.

Hopeful Hoops, Reading
24/09/2012 at 09:48

4 Games in - not that worried yet - A little more belief from the players is all that is needed. On the balance of play WBA deserved it. On another day Lukako's shot would have cannoned off the legs of a defender and McAnuff may have got the penalty! All swings etcetera......

Roberts & Kebe will give the team a boost, increase competition. McD has already made a decision to drop Feds & Harte for a spell. I'm sure there are harder decisions to come.....

As for a new manager ....behave - 4 games.........

Robsy , Reading
24/09/2012 at 09:29

"if you cant take points off WBA then you going to struggle". Would that be 4th placed West Brom. A team who've finished comfortably mid-table in their last couple of seasons. Thought your keeper (McCarthy) played well but was disppointed with the rest. Poorest I've seen Albion play for a long time - yet we still controlled the game. Still - a long way to go for Reading. No need to panic yet. Hopefully Reading will stay up & our arch-rivals Villa will go down!