Reading FC

Adam Le Fondre scored an equaliser at St James Park in the 2-1 win over Newcastle United before slotting home the winner
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McDermott hails inspired Reading FC hero Le Fondre

By Jonny Fordham
January 20, 2013

Brian McDermott hailed the rise of match-winner Adam Le Fondre who has gone from League Two poacher to Premier League star.

The 26-year-old supersub scored an equaliser at St James Park in the 2-1 win over Newcastle United before slotting home the winner.

Classy French midfielder Yohan Cabaye put Alan Pardew’s side into a first-half lead with a sublime free-kick.

But for the second week in a row former Rotherham man Le Fondre stepped off the bench to claim Royals’ first ever victory at Newcastle.

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"It’s a fantastic win,” began McDermott.

“Adam is an inspired player for me. He’s got great spirit, he’s a bubbly character – he loves football, loves playing, loves training - he’s just instinctive.

“A couple of years ago he was playing for Rotherham in League Two and look where he is now.

“All the players are happy. We’ve got a really good spirit within our club. Alfie wants to play all the time, everyone wants to play, we know that.

“We try to treat all our players with the utmost respect. The ones that travelled with us, the ones that have travelled and weren’t in the 18 – it’s all about the group.”

Goalkeeper Adam Federici also kept the score down with a string of superb saves in the opening 45 minutes.

“Adam Federici has a fantastic story,” continued McDermott.

“Our boys know that. He made a couple of really good saves, I just said that to him now and acknowledged that.

“When you come to a place like Newcastle you need your goalkeeper to perform well. He’s produced saves in the first half that are match-winning saves.”

And McDermott also reserved praise for the hardy 1,068 supporters who trekked through the snow to support their team in the North East.

He added: “I have to say we have such great support – I was really surprised so many of our fans managed to get up here. We were losing games, high scoring games 7-5 or 4-3 – but we’ve learned from that.

“We know we’ve got resilience. I personally have learned, our staff have learned, the players have learned – you have to try and manage games at this level.

"You have to stay in games in this division and we did that at 1-0.”

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Most recent user comments 8 of 8

Broke the exile and came down to Newcastle Great performance froom both Reading and from the travelling fans. Feds fantastic in the first half but we did give Cisse too much room and found it difficult to deal with Cabaye.

Came into the game when Cabaye tired but even in the first half we went close a couple of times. It's all been said about ALF but tremendous pass from Legs to Kebe for the assist for the fist goal. Legs had put Kebe through in the first half with another great pass.

Kebe seemed to play further up in the 4-5-1 to give support to Pob. Great nod down from Kebe for second goal. Last time at St James' he was poor in the air. Not so on Saturday.

Liked the way Kelly palyed but (minor moan) would prefer Jem to Jobi. in CM A great performance and when we took the lead, we never looked loke losing.

Exiled in Scotland, Central Scotland
21/01/2013 at 15:14

Dog Leg - Arshavin? We may be gullible, but we're not entirely stupid. Couldn't you drive him to Epping Forest and release him to forage for berries? It'd be cheaper for you in the long run.

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
21/01/2013 at 10:22

Fedders has his confidence back and it is great to see. Le Fondre has a real strikers instinct and it is great to see him getting the goals. Bringing on fresh legs and going 442 later in the game seems to be working well, but it won't be a surprise to the other teams any more, so we may need some other tricks up our sleeves for the run in.

Smiffy, Reading
21/01/2013 at 10:04

yeah totally agree last chance, fedders was fantastic. kept us in the game, and to be fair the defence was pretty good in the first half. brian made the right changes at the rigt time, so well done all round really... bring on the great escape!!

Craigy Boy
21/01/2013 at 09:27

Lets not forget feds in this win... im one of his biggest critics but he was superb in the 1st half and ultimately didnt only win us the game but could have kept us up

we were so in control in the second half it was frightening

i believe we can get out of this we've got momentum and are playing with a better shape and retaining the ball better.. whilst villa, newcastle especially are sinking fast, wigan cant keep getting out of it can they??? and after what southampton have done i can only see them going one way now

last chance saloon
21/01/2013 at 08:19

Sign Arshavin

Dog Leg
20/01/2013 at 19:12

Well done Reading, what a good buy Le Fondre is. Lets keep looking for hungry young players for all positions from the lower leagues and other countries.Ok sometimes it may not work but its a good way money wise.

Not used to be good strikers over the top on good wages who dont play anymore (11 games no goals last played 08.12.12. We must improve the weakness in the squad.

Please check players playing record when buying. The aim is not to waste money.

Keep the fight going Reading

Charles Thorn, Tilehurst
20/01/2013 at 18:50

For the second week in a row Le Fondre stepped off the bench to claim Reading's first ever victory at Newcastle - it's a miracle!!

Good result lads - bring on Chelsea and Sunderland next week - will anyone leave early again?