Reading FC

Brian McDermott says that no Reading FC player is undroppable
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McDermott doesn't have Reading FC "favourites"

By Jonny Fordham
November 27, 2012

Brian McDermott responded to vocal fans claiming he has his "favourites" by stating that no Reading player is undroppable.

Supporters who gave their player ratings following Royals' 2-1 win over Everton were critical of the performances of skipper Jobi McAnuff and experienced centre-back Kaspars Gorkss.

McAnuff, who scored 5.5 out of 10 and Gorkss (5.4) were then on the receiving end of even harsher marks following the 3-2 defeat at Wigan with just 4.5 and 2.9, the lowest rating all season, respectively.

However, Royals boss McDermott stated: "No one is undroppable."

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McDermott is unlikely to drop his captain for tonight's trip to Aston Villa (8pm kick-off), but Gorkss is walking a thin line - despite starting every single Premier League game this season.

"He's up for selection," said McDermott.

"I would never talk about an individual's performance levels, I talk about that team. That wouldn't be right."

Reading will again be without injury-hit midfielders Jimmy Kebe (groin), Jem Karacan (knee) and Danny Guthrie (thigh).

And goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has also tweeted that he expects to be out for two more weeks at least.

He said: "Won't be back for a couple of weeks, shoulder getting better but still not right."

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As Long as MacDuff stays on the pitch, unfortunately Brian is being too loyal. And whenever a winger is brought on and Tabb taken off with MacDuff replacing him in midfield?!?!?!?

Blue Peter, Sonning
28/11/2012 at 14:55

@COL - Once again...YAC...your comments offer nothing.

To say that someone is not a supporter of football/RFC is pathetic.

Lester Crinklesack
28/11/2012 at 10:49

Do us a favour. He is too loyal to certain players who shouldn't even be on the bench. We are going down because the club did not invest in the summer. That is a fact.

The Commentator
27/11/2012 at 23:20

Now we know McD is talking rubbish.

McAnuff given another 90 mins and two too late subs.

We are now about a third of the way through our fixtures and we seem to have learnt nothing.

Its's obvious BR and RBC ( see below ) are not football supporters let alone RFC supporters if they encourage the rubbish that is being produced on the pitch.

Please lets start playing football - and abandon this hoof and run.

come on lads
27/11/2012 at 22:55

RBC, Wigan achievement, meh.

The reason why Wigan have remained in the PL for as long as they have is courtesy of Dave Whelan's wallet, nowt else.

ray northstander
27/11/2012 at 16:53

McD signed a 3 year deal this year....cant see that being extended.

Fishlips
27/11/2012 at 16:46

"The best signing Reading can make is to extend BMs contract and put a stop to all the ridiculous talk of sacking him"

Well said - couldn't agree with this more. I am a bit perplexed as to why he continues to pick Gorkss and Gunter when both are woefully short of confidence and form but we should remember that McD sees things in training that we are not privy to.

And to clarify a previous point I have never said that relegation wouldn't be a big thing or that we would be definitely be promoted back at the first attempt. What I was trying to do was promote a bit of perspective. Historically Reading have been a lower division club and so to expect them to suddenly become an established regular member of the PL overnight just isn't realistic. People look at Wigan's performances over the past 6 or 7 years and just don't understand what a massive achievement it has been for them to remain in the PL.

I really hope that Reading stay in the PL for many seasons to come but I would much prefer to watch them in the Championship than watch a re-formed 'phoenix' version of the club playing in Conference South.

RBC Traffic Management are Useless, Calcot
27/11/2012 at 15:37

Kebe slip in the bath again?

poru, Bournemouth
27/11/2012 at 14:47

Poru - it seems that way. Indeed he started pretty well in the prem but what they dont say is that he has gone 4 games without an assist, goal or anything else. He has "gone of the boil" which is why it frustrates me that he never gets subbed.

Lets hope that he feels llike he's got a point to prove tonight and turns in a good performance.

Fishlips
27/11/2012 at 14:39

Looks like the club are doing a promotion job on JM following criticism by fans!! Yes he has a lot of assists to his game but I wonder about his other stats. For example pass completion tracking back. He is definitely not a central midfielder every time he gets put there I cry inside.

poru, Bournemouth
27/11/2012 at 14:05

The best signing Reading can make is to extend BMs contract and put a stop to all the ridiculous talk of sacking him. What he has achieved with the resources at his disposal is nothing short of a miracle. How we ever went up last season with that squad is beyond me. Arshavin would be a brilliant signing - a great player desperately short of confidence - just the job for Brian, however he's on £90k a week so it would have to be a loan.

Brighton Royal
27/11/2012 at 12:39

Dear Reading

Please beat Villa tonight!

Yours

All West Brom fans!

Reading Baggie
27/11/2012 at 11:48

I would be very surprised if funds are not available in January. Its simple business.

AZ bought a Championship club at a rock bottom price which has now become a Premiership club and he has has seen his investment grow in value as a result. He needs to try and protect his investment or risk its devaluation.

McD is just trying to dampen the flames of peoples expectation.

Of course, I'm not saying that bringing in new players is the answer to all our problems!

Fishlips
27/11/2012 at 11:25

MDDC - Agree with a lot of what you say but on club size and potential we should be able to compete with Wigan, Swansea, Blackburn, Southampton, Brighton, Norwich etc. The fact that we are not doing so makes me want to scream out load in frustration (a manly one of course).

The club has the potential to grow into a good Premier League outfit. We have heard TSI talking about a 5 year plan. I think we should be given more detail to what is in it. Think we should extend the stadium whether we go down or not or we will always be viewing it as 'if we stay up we might do it' mentallity. If we are to become a yo-yo club then fine. Think we can build in the finances to extend capacity. We could do one part now and another in 5 years. 24,000 is too low for the Premier League. Perhaps we need some clear statements from the club and that probably needs to come from Anton.

We are in the Premier League NOW! We have to find a way to try and stay up. The Championship is even more of a dog fight and a nightmare to get out off. If BM cannot find the way then sadly we have to move on. At the moment we do not seem to have the ideas on or off the pitch.

poru, Bournemouth
27/11/2012 at 11:07

I think the paucity of transfer budget is rather more than a rumour, Poru.

In terms of resources we can't compete with Swansea, Wigan or, as you mention them, Brighton (as well as a plethora of other Championship clubs).

New training facilities and stadium expansion are unlikely to happen if we're relegated. An expansion of the scouting network is welcome, but largely pointless if you haven't the funds to afford the players you indentify.

We need a win tonight by any means necessary (stating the bleedin' obvious).

I said yesterday that I had the distinct impression that people in positions of power at RFC are less than concerned about our plight. That's perhaps unfair, but what is apparent is that they're either incapable or unwilling to address the obvious weaknesses (possibly both).