Reading FC

McDermott: Reading FC masters of their own downfall

By Jonny Fordham
November 24, 2012

Brian McDermott slammed his Reading players for their inability to see out the game as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at Wigan.

Sean Morrison headed Royals into a 35th-minute lead before Jordi Gomez started the Latics comeback on the hour mark.

Gomez then put the hosts in front 10 minutes later before an Ali Al Habsi clanger gifted Reading a lifeline.

However, shocking defending in the last minute saw Gomez complete his hat-trick in stoppage time to dump Reading back into the relegation zone.

And McDermott bemoaned: "At 90-odd minutes gone we had the ball in the corner and we have to take a point.

“Both teams had had opportunities but you have to take the point. Any point away is a decent one.

“We have to learn from that very quickly because this league is unforgiving. We have to see games through.

"The bottom line is that we've given a goal away with a minute to go which is crazy, just crazy and that was down to us.

“We have to take a draw at least, we were masters of our own downfall.

“We've got enough experience out there to know the momentum of the game."

Jay Tabb was denied what McDermott felt was a definite penalty and Adam Le Fondre also saw an effort well saved by Al Habsi.

McDermott continued: "The ref missed a stonewall penalty, we've not had too many of those.

“That would have made it 2-1, it's very unfortunate but we have to move on quickly. I thought at the time it was a pen, and I've seen it again.

“I was surprised a referee of Howard Webb's calibre missed that one.

“If he doesn't give it he's got to book Jay for diving. I said to the linesman he's got to see that.

"In the dressing room we had a conversation and I said to the players the same thing, we have to be ruthless. Over the years we've scored many late goals, but it's tough to stomach when it goes against you.

"At half time I thought we were going to win, but football is about results.

“We are really, really disappointed but we'll pick ourselves up quickly, we have no other choice."

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Seems to be a recurring theme for us this season - taking the lead and not winning. We are losing and drawing games in the last minute or in injury time - that is what we did to several teams last season! Very frustrating when it happens the other way.

Struggling to see how Feds gets blamed for two goals - one yes where he needed to hold on to it rather than gifting a tap in but even that was not a howler (not in the Al Habsi class!!) Made a few important saves yesterday and a fair few more the week before - I don't thinks Feds is where the problems really lie.

My main concern and has been for a fair few matches is that Gorkks just seems lacking at the moment - For me his form since the Arsenal game has been poor, perhaps he needs a rest? Mariappa should get a go if fit & firing, he is certainly more mobile.

Cummings was poor against Fulham but Gunter whilst never playing badly doesn't inspire - a tough call that one.

A win against Villa and I would say that November has been a good month - but December looks a tough tough month.

Robsy , Reading
25/11/2012 at 14:04

“We have to learn from that very quickly because this league is unforgiving. We have to see games through."

Why does McD come out with these rediculous statements. It doesnt just gofor the premier league, but in ANY league. If you went 2-1 down away from home, and claw it back to 2-2, surely a point away from home is a good point in any league.

I was there on saturday, and the defence was all over the place. However, surely we have enough experienced players to know that pulling the game back to 2-2, (and the flukey way that we did) and there's 5 minutes to go, surely its keep possession, get 11 men behind the ball, park the bus for the point ?

I'm not saying it attractive, but we have to be able to shut the game down, or at least try to, but we didnt.

Why didn't McD have that in his plan ?

You cant go gun-ho in this league, you get punished, and that was the case on Saturday.

Now with Redknapp managing QPR, you have to expect them to get stronger throughout the rest of the season, especiallly if they strengthen in the Jan window, which I fully expect Harry to get funds to do that.

Every great team is built on a solid defence, and from Saturday's match, we are far from that.

I agree that also Feds was dubious for 2 goals, and the one were he just pushed it out in front of him for a tap in, whats that all about ?

Very frustrated.

Danny0367, Chorley, Lancashire
25/11/2012 at 13:34

Feds at fault for at least 2 goals...again When do you push the ball back into the 6 yard box when making a save, catch it or punch it out of play .. What's Taylor got to do to get a chance .That's the first time this season I've felt Reading actually let themselves down,saying that if that was a Man Utd player instead off Tabb, Webb would have given a pen every day of the week.

A. XYZ
25/11/2012 at 11:24

BMD, you need to get our defence sorted pronto. I thought scoring goals would be our main problem not letting them in this season! Gorks is shocking, is he carrying an injury?

love buddha, Berkshire
25/11/2012 at 10:10

Totally agree Southbank. Not sure what Pearce and Cummings have done to deserve to be dropped. Gorkes was just awful yesterday running around like a headless chicken and out of position for all 3 goals. Pearce can't be any worse, surely.

Talylor, Shorey, Cummings, Pearce and Morrsion would be my choice Tuesday but what do i know ? I just pay my hard earned cash each week to watch a Championship team living a dream!

Just My Opinion
25/11/2012 at 09:53

Time for a slight change for Tuesday Brian - get Cummings and Pearce in instead of Gorks & Gunter. Don't make the same mistake as Coppell - sticking with his 'favoured' players when they weren't performing.......