Reading FC

Adam Federici cannot hide is disappointment after he is beaten by a late Christian Benteke winner at Villa Park
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Reading FC get that sinking feeling at Aston Villa

By Jonny Fordham
November 28, 2012

It never rains, but it pours.

Reading are left drifting all at sea after back-to-back Premier League defeats and fans are flooding message boards with criticism of their manager and his side.

All the pre-match talk at Aston Villa was surrounding Brian McDermott’s team selection.

After insisting that none of his side were “undroppable” following criticism from fans, McDermott wielded the axe and hooked Kaspars Gorkss and Chris Gunter out of the side and replaced them with Adrian Mariappa and Shaun Cummings.

His decision will have pleased fans who had been campaigning online to see Gorkss, Gunter and surprisingly Jobi McAnuff, the captain, given the boot. But with little strength in depth, where is McDermott supposed to go?

Aston Villa, though, were dealt a huge blow before kick-off as captain Ron Vlaar failed to shake off a calf injury picked up during their 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Saturday.

Reading looked to take advantage of the void left by the Dutch centre-half.

Fox-in-the-box Adam Le Fondre has proved before that he can create a goal out of nothing, – and almost did exactly that with an audacious and instinctive bicycle kick as he attempted to turn in Jobi McAnuff’s cross in the 10th minute.

Soon after, Sean Morrison nearly produced a carbon-copy of his opener at Wigan as he leapt into the air and connected with an in-swinging McAnuff corner.

Whereas Reading struggled to create from open play, Villa also showed an inability to convert the chances they were making.

First Christian Benteke saw his placed shot well saved by Adam Federici

He then put the best chance of the half on a plate for Andreas Weimann who, in acres of space could only find the top row of the North Stand. As they have consistently done so far this season, it was no suprise Villa were booed off at half-time.

But Royals’ travelling brigade of less than 1,000 were more forgiving of their team – knowing they have produced late miracles in the past.

In all honesty, Sky would have been forgiven if they had packed up their lenses at half-time with the lack of quality and excitement being broadcast.

With the feeling at Villa Park of that of a mid-table Championship tie instead of an early-season relegation battle, a spark was needed in the second city.

Le Fondre again missed a chance he would have usually finished in his sleep when he headed wide, while strike partner Jason Roberts failed to pick out a team mate, having sprung the offside trap.

Villa boss Paul Lambert was first to show his hand as he threw on Stephen Ireland and Marc Albrighton.

McDermott, criticised for the timing of his substitutions already this season, waited until the 79th minute to make a change.

Just after fans had chanted “Brian make a sub,” the inevitable came.

Granted, it was likely to have happened regardless as Noel Hunt replaced Roberts, but the chants make matters worse for a manager under the spotlight.

Top scorer and marquee signing Pavel Pogrebnyak remained on the bench.

Out on the pitch Benteke got his manager a get-out-of-jail-free card as he headed the Villans into the lead.

Morrison was beaten in the air and the Belgian striker headed with purpose into the ground and past Federici.

Unbeaten at home against Royals in all competitions - history would repeat itself at Villa Park.

Unable to muster any of the Championship spirit – it looks like being a long, cold winter for Royals, who have the daunting task of facing Manchester United at Madejski Stadium on Saturday (5.15pm kick-off).

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You're quite right Sir. It was Smee who did the dirty on old Maurice.

No. Madejski wasn't there in the cuo semi, but it was the game when Brynjar made his debut ;)

ray northstander
29/11/2012 at 12:51

Ray - Not true, Sir! You can't re-write history (your not an MP, are you?).

We were last in Division 4 in 1983/84. JM didn't arrive 'til 1990.

He wasn't there when we played Cardiff in the 1927 Semi-Final either, by the way!

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
29/11/2012 at 10:40

We have also been in division 4 under JM's tenure. The reason why I remember this is because we were about 4th-5th in that league, and out of the blue, Maurice Evans was replaced by Ian Branfoot.

I couldn't care less what the stadium is called, nor could I care less about the kudos that SJM has got out of it. Without him, and crucially, Roy Tranter, our club would not exist at all. Nor would the Madstad.

The fanbase thing has not altered majorly since then either. Reading and its surrounding towns have grown a bit, but the key reason why we could only pull in 4000 then is because we were cr8p. We're not anymore, so we can sell out 24000.

You believe what you want to about the Sig. I believe that had Rogers been unemployed at the time of his availability, then Gylfi would have come home on loan.

ray northstander
29/11/2012 at 10:04

Ray - Swansea have developed from a lower position than us (bottom of Division Four in relatively recent times) and have also built a new stadium. It's not named after their Chairman, you'll note.

We were in Division 3 when JM took charge. We have a large catchment area, a relatively affluent fan base and a decent level of local schools football (Reading schools national Champions and semi-finalists in the recent past).

I'm grateful to JM for purchasing the club when he did. I remember the match when his ownership was announced. One nil win over Fulham. Stuart Lovell drilled finish into roof of the net at the Town End and Martin Hicks producing probably his best performance of his latter years at the club. He genuinely was 'here, there and everywhere'.

Don't kid yourself that the reason Sigg joining Swansea on loan was because no other club in England had any knowledge of his abilities. The bottom line is that they took action, where we constantly resort to our 'nobody is available line'.

We really must get away from his misguided idea that JM is doing the club a favour and was 'persuaded' to name the stadium after himself. He's certainly contributed massively to the club, but I'd say he's certainly not in the debit column in terms of what he's received in return (on numerous levels).

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
29/11/2012 at 09:48

MDDC, Of course the Sig thing was fortunate ! Having only performed in this country in the Champ, he was under the radar of the Prem. Rogers heard that he was not having a great time in Germany, (as did we), knew him personally, (as did we), but was in a position to offer Prem exposure, something that we couldn't offer.

I suppose what I am trying to point out is that if Reading had beaten Swansea at wembley, we could well have got Sig back on loan ourselves. Equally, had Rogers got the manager's job at, say, Fulham, Sig would have gone there.

These are chance circumstances, not Swansea shrewdness.

The sales of Long and Sig were forced on Brian in order for the club to survive. Ok, Sir John could have just chucked money at the club himself, but none of us really know if he was in a position to do this, because being a paper millionaire does not mean that he walks around with millions in cash in his pockets, and in any event, who are we to tell someone else how to spend their own money?

I honestly don't know the ins and outs of how Swansea are financed and run myself, and perhaps Swansea's people are better at it than ours. All I do know for myself is that I have watched RFC grow incredibly under Sir John's tenure. From a ramshackle old ground in west Reading (god bless it) with about 4000 in it, playing Division 4 football against Halifax, to Man United in the top flight at home this weekend at a smart stadium with 24000 in it.

The old boy has not done too bad a job of it, has he?

ray northstander
29/11/2012 at 09:12

Ray - I agree it's the sort of statement that you'd expect from JM. The trick is to distinguish between words and actions. They survived and are on their way toward consolidation.

The fortuitous loan signing of the Sigg? I suppose you'd also dismiss the loan of Caulker as luck, would you? It's called being shrewd and planning ahead.

Swansea achieved promotion by keeping their team intact, signing Sinclair from Chelsea and cleverly utilising the loan system. Compare and contrast with our sales of the Sigg and Long and others.

Again, they had lower income in the Championship but could assemble a stronger, more expensive squad. Perhaps their Chariman is just a bit more effective in the way he runs his club. By the way, does he appear on the Swans website more often than his players?

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
29/11/2012 at 00:44

Hi Come on Lads (a very worrying moniker in these Saville/Glitter times),

You are ridiculous.

Regards

Lester x x x

p.s To everyone else, we got 3pts from Everton that we weren't supposed to...so not getting points from Wigan/Villa kinda balances it out a bit?!

Lester Crinklesack
28/11/2012 at 20:14

Hi Elsie

I do not believe a real football supporter would ever support the hoof and run tactics of any team.

I want watch good football - even if we are relegated.

come on lads
28/11/2012 at 19:35

I remember saying back in the summer that mcdermott needs to wake up and realise that we dont have enough quality and it looks like I was right. The signings he made were okay but didnt add enough quality in key areas. They needed at least 2 strikers with higher league experience, no matter where they came from. The only player who has improved the team is shorey and we have absolutely no strength in depth.

I dont think sacking mcdermott is the way to go, who else could do a better job with the players we have? Not many id expect. But i do blame him for constantly picking Jobi and also his substitutions, why bring Roberts off last night? As soon as he came off we conceded.

I say keep the back five, if guthrie is fit put him in with Tabb and have Mccleary and Kebe on the Wings. And stick with Roberts and Le fondre. Whatever Mcdermott has got against guthrie needs to be forgotten, he is our best midfielder and results are more important than relationships between manager and player.

Josh GU10
28/11/2012 at 18:42

As this season began Reading was never going to win the league, they were never going to qualify for Europe but needed to survive in the premieirship. McD and his team must have sat down pre-season and mapped out should wins, could wins and bonus wins (no chance on paper). As the season progress these may change of course. Instead of bleating out phrases in interviews such as 'we have a platform to work from' (whatever that means !) why doesn't he be open and say 'this was one we had to win and we blew it. If we don't win, things can only get worse'. I have to admit he looks better in a suit than looking like one of the subs. On the field I believe in Jason Roberts we have a good footballing brain but on old mens legs. The midfield run down blind alleys because they lack a football brain. On the training ground practice corners and crosses in general if you persist in pumping sky balls into the box. Never forget it's called football.

grumpy old man of woodley, woodley
28/11/2012 at 18:36

The only way to stop Come On Lads spouting a load of pants is by me replying. For some reason he(?) never wants to respond to me?!?

COL...accusing people of not supporting RFC or saying they are not "real" supporters is probably one of the worst retorts you could ever come up with.

Hoof and run, more players, wrong players, more money, blah blah blah....sack the manager...yawn.

Lester Crinklesack
28/11/2012 at 16:45

Swansea survived because they had, like us in 2006, a damn good football team, assembled originally by a very bright young manager called Martinez. This good team was enhanced by the fortuitous loan capture of a lad called Siggurdsson.

Regarding fiscal attitudes, the words put out by SCFC in these published accounts wouldn't be any different if Madejski had uttered them himself

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-16689224

ray northstander
28/11/2012 at 16:32

Come on lads.

Sorry, but I'm going to have to quote you again.

Madejski appeared to many to sack him because he (SJM) was getting stick from supporters for not spending any money. "We replaced a manager attempting to play cultured football with a park manager.

Yes, of course I was pleased when we got promoted but we came away from most games saying it was more like a relegation dog fight than a team going for and getting promotion."

Just three obsevations on that:

1) So you don't think that Reading's position in the league at the time in any way swayed Madejski's decision to sack Rogers?

2) The "park" manager won the championship trophy.

3) So you came away from most games last season feelling as If it were a relegation dogfight, but were pleased with the success, right? So you weren't coming on here last season calling for McD and his boring hooofball to be got rid of?

But now we're in an *actual* relegation dogfight, with virtually the same players, the same manager, you, and many others come out of the woodwork. Can't you see how shallow that looks?

It's not personal against you, pal. I'm just a bit fed up of the whole raft of people these days who expect instant gratification all the time. The people summed up like that russian t*ss£r who owns Chelsea. Sack DiMatteo what, less than 6 months after getting the European crown.

ray northstander
28/11/2012 at 16:12

I can't recall anyone 'raving' about the signings, Jake. I think hopeful would be a more accurate assessment.

I was, however, pleased that we signed Shorey. I saw him playing in midfield for WBA reserves last season (don't ask). He looked fit and was technically on a different level to the other players on the pitch, scoring the only goal of the game.

The lunch just isn't sitting quite right, Robsy. Thanks for your concern. Mental note to self: Avoid second helpings.

Ray - Explain how a club the stature of Swansea managed to survive so comfortably last season, then? Smaller turn over than us, but somehow had a bigger budget and no 'sugar daddy'. Perhaps they realised it's important to recruit better players than you already have in order to supplement the more talented individuals already on the books.

Just because you're newly promoted it shouldn't mean that relegation is inevitable. Perhaps AZ or JM could consult them on resource husbandry.

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
28/11/2012 at 16:06

So thats the end of premiership again. Unless that is the lazy little toerags calling themselves proffesional footballers start actually working for thier pay. I've seen better football played by a pack of puppy dogs than this team.