Reading FC

Reading FC manager Brian McDermott says he appreciates the public backing by Anton Zingarevich
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Brian McDermott appreciated Zingarevich backing

By Jonathan Low
November 23, 2012

Reading boss Brian McDermott says he appreciates the public backing shown by owner Anton Zingarevich.

In a week which has seen Roman Abramovich fire Roberto Di Matteo and Mark Hughes sacked by QPR, McDermott is grateful Royals’ Russian owner has made it clear he has no intention of wielding the axe.

Zingarevich declared he had total faith in the Reading manager before last Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Everton.

McDermott was pleased with the owner’s choice of words and would like nothing more than to justify the faith shown in him.

He said: “I get on really well with Anton so I didn’t need him to come out and say anything. That was up to him to say.

“I’ve known him since January and we’ve been consistent with each other. We have a good relationship.

“I don’t think it was particularly important for him to say it, but he felt he wanted to say it and I appreciate the fact that he did say it in public.”

McDermott also explained how much he enjoys working with Zingarevich, and having the Russian around at training and on matchdays.

“Anton is very much part of what we’re trying to do here. He’s one of us,” the manager added.

“He came to pre-season with us, he joined in and he’s very much part of it. I don’t see it as an issue if the owner speaks to a player because he’s part of what we’re trying to do.

“It’s very much everyone together, including the owner.”

The manager, who takes his side to Wigan Athletic tomorrow (3pm kick-off), said he was looking to build on the momentum from last week’s victory over Everton.

“The performance of the second half (against Everton) is the momentum and that’s what we want to keep going,” McDermott said.

“That belief to play our game, with the ball and do what we have to do with the ball, that’s the momentum I’ve been talking about.

“Everton was a really important win for us,” he added.

“The players know they can compete at this level, and now we can move on and look forward.”

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Most recent user comments 4 of 4

I reckon Anton went into the dressing room during half-time against Everton and offered the players a long holiday at a well known location in his motherland, if they didn't turn their performance around! How else can we explain the way they came back out so totally fired up compared to their usual soporific starts to second halves?

HARB
23/11/2012 at 21:33

Liberal. As I understand it, AZ does go into the dressing room on occasions. Exactly as SJM has done countless times over the last two decades. Not to interfere, but to encourage the players. It just shows you the spirit of this club. They all share the same desire to see the Royals to do well. There can't be many clubs in the league, let alone the Prem. that has this sort of attitude.

Forest Royal, Forest of Dean
23/11/2012 at 14:32

im not sure its quite that black and white at Reading anymore. I dont expect Brian to come out and say he doesnt like the owner, but im positive he would like him spending less time down the training ground... next thing you know he'll be in the dressing room on match day, and then who knows?

The Conservative Liberal
23/11/2012 at 13:27

Once again the actions of some football clubs; this time Chelsea and QPR have highlighted how well run Reading fc is. We have a very good history of showing faith in our managers; letting the management team run the team and the owners (Anton and Sir John) run the club and long may it continue.