Reading FC

Brian McDermott has promised to fix Reading’s FC habit of conceding late goals
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McDermott: Reading FC need to stop conceding late goals

By Jonny Fordham
November 29, 2012

Brian McDermott has promised to fix Reading’s habit of conceding late goals after seeing his side lose to an 80th-minute winner against Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Royals crashed to a 1-0 defeat at Villa Park when Belgian striker Christian Benteke headed home from a corner.

The goal was the 16th Reading have conceded in the league this season in the final half hour of games.

And it came hard on the heels of their 3-2 loss at Wigan on Saturday, when Jordi Gomez struck a winner two minutes into stoppage time

But McDermott has reassured fans that the problem will be solved.

“Over the last three years we’ve had little bits and bobs when we have conceded late goals and we’ve solved that problem,” he said.

“Last season we couldn’t score a goal in the first half and we solved that problem and went on to win the Championship, so it’s all about trying to solve the issue and move on.”

Royals still occupy 19th position in the Premier League, four points ahead of bottom side QPR, but more importantly, four points from safety.

Manchester United are the visitors to Madejski Stadium on Saturday evening, and McDermott’s side will need to turn the corner soon, with just the one league win to their name going into a busy December period.

Royals manager was left to rue his side’s inability to make the most of the limited opportunities they had at Villa Park.

Jason Roberts started up front alongside Adam Le Fondre, and Noel Hunt came on in the final 10 minutes, but none of the strikers were able to break the deadlock.

McDermott said: “I thought our front two were a handful, but we needed a bit more quality into the box in the second half.

“In the first half in particular we had a couple of really good chances and I thought we were going to get the first goal which was crucial.

“But we got done on a set-play, which was disappointing.

“I didn’t think we were going to lose the game at any point.”

The two sides played out an even first half, but it was Villa who took the initiative after the break.

McDermott added: “I thought our shape was good and the back-four were okay.”

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Most recent user comments 31 of 31

Had to laugh at this I found on some website:

Kaspar Gorkss has been solid for the Royals this season, having racked up 84 interceptions and successfully completed 63% of his tackles. He needs to improve his work on the rare occasion he gets up the other end of the field though. He’s had 9 shots on goal this season, none of which have been on target.

Well apart from the goal he scored at QPR -- #lovethereseach.com

Yes I am a bit bored today

Robsy , Reading
30/11/2012 at 13:52

MDDC - I'm tempted but its fun reading the comments! Also I suspect there will some work done in January & it may not be big money but most of our best signings have been veritable bargains - so I hope you are incorrect.

Ray - I like your synopsis about it being a journey - more succinct that my short novella!

Beating Man United on Saturday that would be sooooo Reading.......

Come On URZZ!

Robsy , Reading
30/11/2012 at 13:46

So the new signings have not panned out as planned? No sh1r sherlock!

Signings ARE NOT an exact science

Supporting the team, wanting them to do well, and constructive criticism when things aren't going well is all well and good. What winds me up more than anything are those who utilise the 20/20 vision of hindsight. We know them. Those that got excited about the signings of a Russian international, a premiership experienced ball playing midfielder, Forest's player of the season, and Watford's best defender: yet now those players have not produced, it's purely down to the fact that McDermott is an inept twerp, the club pennypinched, and the style of football is all wrong anyway. Get a grip.

ray northstander
30/11/2012 at 13:22

A well constructed and cogent argument, Robsy. Never show your face here again!

Seriously, though, although I agree with your conclusion that we require a couple of Silver Bullets (the JFK assassination magic bullet is possibly nearer the mark), I just don't see additional signings being 'in the budget'. We may do some minor business at the end of the window, but prepare yourself to be underwhelmed.

I sincerely hope that I'm wholly incorrect.

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
30/11/2012 at 12:12

Football fans are fickle creatures by nature mostly because they want their team to be successful, the one thing we have in common! It is not a criticism I think we are all fickle to some extent.

We all believe that 'our solution' is the right one - 'if we just played such and such' or 'if we played that formation' or 'we dropped him' or 'spent money' and so it goes on.

Last season McD brought in 3 players, that to most were the reason we got promoted. Gorkks, Roberts & Le Fondre. Three Silver Bullets that provided the solution. We were subsequently successful (too successful you might say) and got promoted.

In the close season the squad was evaluated and targets were chosen and brought in well in advance of the deadline. They seemed to plug the gaps we had (although another striker & midfielder to my mind would have been good), added depth and I think many were optimistic that with one or two more we should have a chance at survival.

The facts are that the Pog has not been the success we'd hoped for - Guthrie has just not settled - Gunter seems no better than Cummings & Mariappa has looked good when he has played. McCleary has looked better as a replacement and Shorey much to some peoples surprise (not mine) has been very good. Add to that Karacan & Kebe being injured as well as Roberts ban and early season injuries brings us to where we are now - in a bit of a mess.

When we play with tempo and press teams as we have done against some we have scored but also conceded - when we have sat back, kept our shape we have not conceded much but looked about as dangerous as a dead rabbit up front. The balance for most part this season has not been right or when it has not for long enough!

You can blame the manager ultimately he is responsible or AZ for not handing over enough cash or the players for bot being good enough? To my mind it is a mixture of all these things.

We need a couple of Silver Bullets...........

Robsy , Reading
30/11/2012 at 11:26

Ray - I prefer to see it as offering compassionate advice in the hope (albeit forlorn) of enlightening them!

I'm pretty sure they'd charge you a hefty fee to be a passenger.

Can you pinpoint any of the frequent mistakes (from the point promotion was secured onward) which we have corrected? Me neither!

It's quite simple really, use the evidence of your own eyes to form an opinion. It's preferable to waiting for the clubs PR to furnish you with 'your' views. You might find it quite liberating!

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
30/11/2012 at 10:08

.....And no end of back seat drivers (none of whom have any driving experience) telling them how they should be driving.

ray northstander
30/11/2012 at 07:54

Spot on, Tilehurst Ender. The issue I have is that the board here frequently 'talk the talk', but shrivel like a salted snail when the opportunity arises to establish RFC in the Premier, or even make a teeny effort to compete with the bottom 6 in this Division, or the top 10 in the Championship.

Ray - Youre right it's a journey, but we've got a learner driver at the wheel with an old bloke riding shotgun and neither can be persuaded to buy petrol.

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
29/11/2012 at 20:31

Fact - we weren't ready to go up to the Premier League. The 2005 team were miles ahead, we will go down because they won't spend any money on top players!

We are all disappointed because we all thought the new owner would invest for the future, talking about aiming for Europe etc. The only way Reading will get there is on EasyJet.

Tilehurst Ender, Spencers wood
29/11/2012 at 19:53

Talk about stating the b obvious (something that should have been fixed before we got a third of the way through the season).

So to state something else obvious and even more important:

We need to start winning games!

HARB
29/11/2012 at 18:57

Royals1871, my bestest palsey walsey 'Tilidie' has been mooting this idea frm the start of the season.

The Mystery Tipster, Woodley
29/11/2012 at 16:39

We have a very good central defender already, who can't get a game, his name is Pearce! Maybe we have an abundance of good defenders and that is why he is not playing? No, I don't think that is the reason.

Pearce should start on Saturday and maybe push Mariappa into midfield in place of Legs?

Royals1871
29/11/2012 at 16:17

Chill out ! The club's on a journey.

There will be triumphs, disappointments, and setbacks along the way.

Our big game used to be against Aldershot. We've got Man United this saturday !

Listen to the lyrics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDe2tvD_nCo

ray northstander
29/11/2012 at 15:47

Can't we field 12 men? In much the same way that Fergie selects Howard Webb for tricky fixtures.

There have been one or two suggestions concerning loan moves. However, the road block is that even preliminary talks can't commence until BM's budget is confirmed.

I expect the board are currently preparing their transfer window script - 'it's a difficult job, 'nobody is available', etc, etc. BM, judging by his statements, is certainly under orders to prepare the ground for a month of inactivity.

Several of our rivals may already be (indeed, probably are) actively pursuing these players and possibly conducting discussions with parent clubs.

I don't blame BM and certainly don't believe he'll be sacked. He's far too valuable as the boards human shield for that to be an option.

It's ironic that Mariappa and Gunter both joined us from Championship clubs (Watford and Forest, respectively), both of whom now have better funding than RFC.

Does anyone really have any confidence that we'll learn from our mistakes (on and off the field), or even modify our approach (evolve is too grand a word for our plodders)?

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
29/11/2012 at 15:32

Oh yeah!! He has noticed. Also we need to create more chances and not give the ball away in midfield and cross the ball into the keepers arms or out of play!

poru, Bournemouth
29/11/2012 at 14:06

Thanks Robsy! I have put my application in to AZ already, felt I better get in there early!

Want to be my assistant?

GwentRoyal, Pontypool
29/11/2012 at 13:45

GwentRoyal - Genius - Start with 10 men thereby confusing the opposition & lulling them into a false sense of security then bring the 11th man after 10 minutes throwing the opposition in to disarray..

Robsy , Reading
29/11/2012 at 13:42

Maybe lightening can strike twice? After the Norwich non-performance, who went to the Everton match expecting anything? OK we rode our luck, but just maybe.. (at least I can dream!)

We are so desperate for a midfield that is worthy of the name it is untrue. Legs has been appalling recently, and whilst Tabb does his best, in truth his best just ain't good enough for this league, though quite frankly Guthrie has so far been no better, (indeed worse).

Am looking forward to Karacan getting back, that can't come too soon.

I think Jordan Obita could do a job for us - perhaps as a sub? I also think I would perfer to see Kebe on the wing, McAnuff in the middle (I know not ideal, but better than Legs).

Even switching HRK to the middle must be better than Legs? Or even playing Bryniesta. Failing that playing 10 men without Legs might even be an improvement!

We can do this! Cmmon URZ!

GwentRoyal, Pontypool
29/11/2012 at 13:37

RBC - I think you will find you are incorrect. I agree with McCarthy - but that, on both occassions was Hobson's choice forced on him through injury.

Perhaps you would like to say which games the other two made their debuts and when - that will give you something useful to do other than try and defend the indefensible!

By the way - are you McD or related to him?

come on lads
29/11/2012 at 13:34

On the subject of new recruits in January - As far as midfielders go - what about Jermaine Jenas on loan at present with Forest and/or Reo-Coker on a short term contract at Ipswich. Both box to box midfielders with prem experience?

Perhaps Emmanuel Frimpong or Jamie O'Hara.

I reckon these could be 'realistic targets' ?

Robsy , Reading
29/11/2012 at 13:32

Yes McD is very slow to catch on. It took him ages to work out that we won 15 of our last 20 games last season and won 10 in a row durig Jan, Feb and March.

RBC Traffic Management are Useless, Calcot
29/11/2012 at 13:17

@ come on lad

As usual you are incorrect. So far 'only' 3 acadamy players have made their Reading league debuts during McD's tenure - McCarthy,Taylor and Bignall.

However both HRK and Church hardly featured before McD took over the reins (Rodgers gave more game time to Jem, Pearce and Gylfi) and Obita, Hector, D'Ath, MacDonald, Ogwu and Bell-Baggie have all made their league debuts for other clubs on loan since McD became manager.

RBC Traffic Management are Useless, Calcot
29/11/2012 at 13:07

McD is very slow to catch on. He has only just realised what his best defensive line up is and now we all need to convince him that his best midfield would be with the absence of Leg-gets-worse n worse. When we have Karacan back and hopefully alongside Guthers or a new recruit inJanuary, then you'll see us move up the table.

The Mystery Tipster, Woodley
29/11/2012 at 13:04

I recall Middlesbro, on one ocassion, unilaterally postponing a fixture and losing points as a punishment. Could we more creative and just post the 3 points to Old Trafford?

I'm popping into the Post Office in a short while, if it's okay I'll despatch them ASAP (although, if the queue's too long the deal's off).

Did anyone spot BM's latest re-iteration of the fact that he has no money to spend? As Roger Daltrey once screamed/sang: 'Meet the new boss, same as the old boss'. Unfortunately, too many punters will 'get fooled again'.

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
29/11/2012 at 12:50

Saturdays formation should be 8-2,hit'em on the break.

up for debate, lost
29/11/2012 at 12:37

Russell - Taylor recently joined D'Ath (currently injured, I believe) at Cheltenham on loan.

The only youngster who's played regularly in central midfield for the Reserves/U-21's is Tshibola, who's an U-18.

Ray - A physchologist might prove somewhat more useful in the current predicament.

LE Royal - Late goals may well prove hazardous, for United. You never know, one of their forwards might strain a fetlock striving to add a late fifth (if it's more than that I'm 'phoning the Samaritans. Although, last time I called they advised me to contact a clinic in Switzerland. Apparently, some people in the land of the Toblerone could put me out of misery, or something).

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
29/11/2012 at 12:14

RB - McD has not given any academy player any match time in the league during his tenure other than those who already had first team experience.

Another failing?

come on lads
29/11/2012 at 11:49

funny thing is although we lost against Aston villa the other day the defence looked alot better with Mapps and morro in there together. The midfield was the issue on tuesday time and again the where overrun, Legs lost the ball countless times. Need to consider to pack out the midfield later in matches, problem is we are well short on these type of players at the moment, but why not give jake taylor or someone a bench role and then bring them on later to help.

Russell B
29/11/2012 at 11:46

They better be on their game on Saturday RFC or they will get a bit of a spanking, if they are not on their game.

cav007, Caversham
29/11/2012 at 11:31

I am sure late goals will not be the issue on Saturday!!

LE Royal, LE
29/11/2012 at 10:34

I don't think that LATE goals will be the problem on Saturday.......

A mate of mine is a brickie. Perhaps employing him might be the best way to "move forward" ;)