Reading FC

Reading manager Brian McDermott was annoyed that he had to spend large sections of his weekly press conference fielding questions about Danny Guthrie
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McDermott: Danny Guthrie can make amends

By Jonny Fordham
December 14, 2012

Reading manager Brian McDermott was annoyed that he had to spend large sections of his weekly press conference fielding questions about Danny Guthrie.

By yesterday morning he had still not spoken to Guthrie about the midfielder's refusal to travel with the team to Sunderland – but he had received a text from the player who said sorry on Monday night.

Guthrie tells Reading FC he's sorry and he loves the club

McDermott has had discipline problems in the past when Matt Mills swore at the East Stand during a 1-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers in March 2010.

And McDermott refused to say that Guthrie’s position at the club was untenable, despite some fans wanting him out.

“Let’s see where we are in a couple of days’ time,” he added.

“I don’t think anything is untenable. There is always a way back.

“The way back for him would be to train to the best of his ability, get himself in the squad, play well and win games.

“Fans can forgive an awful lot. I am always one to see the positive. I can understand the fans’ frustration.

“I have got to speak to him. We haven’t had a conversation yet.

“Everything that has been said has been said.

“The definition of a good team is to leave your ego to one side for the good of the team. That is why we have been so successful.

“Everyone wants to play and I understand that but when you are a professional footballer you are paid to play when you are asked and when you are not playing you support the team.

“That will never change as long as I am here.”

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"Reading manager Brian McDermott was annoyed that he had to spend large sections of his weekly press conference fielding questions about Danny Guthrie."

He has only himself to blame for that as he decided to air all of his dirty linen in public. He could also think himself lucky as if the discussions hadn't centred on Guthrie's 'failings' they certianly would have been focussed on the manager's shortcomings this season.

HARB
14/12/2012 at 16:09

Nobody comes out of this incident with any credit. Guthrie is way out of order and his behaviour would sap morale at any football club - let alone a club in our position. But the comments of the Manager are odd. Two days after one of your highest paid employees doesn't turn up for work and Brian hasn't spoken to him. Really?

Another question springs to mind. The Manager says he hasn't spoken to the player. Has the player been asked to expalin himself to the Durector of Football, Chairman or Owner? It seems that Brian needs strong support from those paying Guthrie's wages. I hope he gets it.

Exiled in Scotland, Central Scotland
14/12/2012 at 14:58

Here's the article about Pog

http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/8330073/Pogrebnyak-ponders-future-talks

McD could do without all these jumped up Prem ballerinas talking behind his back !

Danny0367, Chorley, Lancashire
14/12/2012 at 12:16

I stopped reading this article after the first line.

There's been many stories about various players not being selected for certain reasons and McD giving the contrary line that they are "injured."

Roberts, Pearce, Gorkss, Fedders etc.

McD was the person who opened up about Danny Guthrie on tuesday night. Granted I don't like what Guthrie did, but to use a previous example; When Fae and Sonko refused to play a reserve game we heard "rumours" and the first and fairly prompt line we got from RFC about it, was that they were being fined and suspended!

Get annoyed all you want Brian, but you opened the can of worms.

Hopeful Hoops, Reading
14/12/2012 at 11:56

I think we all need to get behind Guthrie on Monday.

I know he's not exactly covered himself in glory since he got here but any kind of negativity in the stadium is not going to help our cause.

Fishlips
14/12/2012 at 11:39

Martin Cairns - Teamtalk are quoting that he has made this statement to a Russian sports mag that he may need to talk to AZ about his future at RFC.

Royals1871
14/12/2012 at 11:22

He has been played totally out of position though, very odd to start a 'playmaker' behind a striker, not much room to create when there is only one guy ahead of you...... That's why I think we haven't seen the best of him...

Newbury Royal, Newbury
14/12/2012 at 11:08

Guthrie was awful against Liverpool - Dropped with good reason. Then got injured. Gets fits. Gets on the bench. Then refuses to play.

He has slagged off the club and manager and then texts in to stay he'd rather not play! Brings a media circus of unwanted attention at time where we could do without it.

He has now apologised to his team mates (not the fans as far as I can see?) & no doubt will be considered selection.

Struggling to see how Guthrie has been treated unfairly?

Seems pretty fair if you ask me!

He may be a talented player but he clearly has issues - hopefully he and the club can deal with these so that all parties can move forward & get back to playing football.

Robsy , Reading
14/12/2012 at 10:59

Is this reality? The man ought to have been 'on the mat' first thing next morning to be spoken to. As I said before this raises questions about BM's man management. Somebody get a grip. This is an insult to fans.

Bingley, Woodley
14/12/2012 at 10:45

Christmas party? Really? At least QPR had the nous to cancel their bash.

The TSI spokesman? I may be wrong, but isn't his son on the board at RFC? You're unlikely to see Samuelson Snr again (you could read about him in a recent edition of Private Eye, though).

Expecting leadership, or clarity from AZ, based on the evidence of his input so far, is like asking Margaret Moran for honesty tips.

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
14/12/2012 at 10:23

Please enough of this childish behaviour, he said, I said, they said!

Yes where is AZ exactly ? RFC crimbo party tonight and AZ is apparantly not going, is he even in the country ? Where is the TSI spokesperson ? It is all going horribly wrong at RFC.

At least come January we can hopefully start to build for next season in the Championship, only one team ever stayed up from the position we are in at this stage of the season so relegation is certain!

Just My Opinion
14/12/2012 at 10:06

Sobering up might be a good start!

Unison Matty
14/12/2012 at 09:59

AZ you need to sort this all out.... it seems beyond BMDs capacities to solve anything at the moment, we need a firm hand on the wheel here!

HWK_UK, Reading
14/12/2012 at 09:34

Whats going on with the Pog 1871?

Martin Cairns
14/12/2012 at 09:33

Officially bored of this, now. He was stupid, but let's not pretend his actions influenced the performance or result at Sunderland. Would he really have been 'involved'? We'll never know.

The whole affair is a distraction from the real issue - the team and manager are seemingly bereft of ideas and spirit (what lttle confidence we had departed weeks ago).

I'm more concerned about Arsenal on Monday. Will our tactics once again revolve almost entirely around Nicky Shorey creating something from a free kick or corner? Probably, and minus Sean Morrison we're somewhat short of potency from those deliveries.

Is NH still in Russia? Has the January budget been finalised? Do JM and AZ communicate with each other? Are there any new 'injuries', or will we have to see who turns up on Monday night and draw our own conclusions?