McDermott steps up striker search after heavy Blades defeat

Sportsdesk • Published 26 Jan 2010 22:00 3 Comments

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BRIAN McDermott was left to rue a glut of missed chance as Royals slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United.

The score may have flattered the Blades but Reading had only themselves to blame for squandering a string of opportunities.

And the defeat plunged them even further into trouble as Plymouth's win over Derby County left Royals languishing one place above the bottom of the Championship in 23rd position.

United led 2-0 at the break through Jonathan Fortune and Richard Cresswell before a late goal from Chris Morgan secured the points.

But it could have been different if Gylfi Sigurdsson's first-half penalty had gone to make it 1-1 instead of being saved by Blades' inspired keeper Mark Bunn.

And McDermott admitted: "It's an opportunity missed.

"We gave a goal away early doors and we have to stop doing it.

"But we had our chances again tonight. We had our one-on-ones and their goalkeeper made some great saves.

"But Sheffield were better than us in both boxes. They were more ruthless and we have to defend better than we did because they scored twice from set-plays.

"Bramall Lane is a tough place to go but I'm really disappointed. When you lose 3-0 it looks like you've been well beaten but if you look at the chances created it wasn't the case."

McDermott, though, maintains his belief that there was enough in the performance to suggest they can avoid the drop.

And the caretaker boss hinted he may still bring in another striker to cure his side's problems up front.

"I'm confident we can get out of it with the players we have and the chances we are creating," he said.

"We've got to keep going. No-one can duck out of the battle and it's a real, real challenge.

"I'm right up for it and we're looking forward to that challenge."

And he added: "If somebody popped up now like a striker for example, and we felt he was the right one, I'm sure we would do something.

"We need someone to score, we need goals. When you look at the chances we created I'm sure on another day we would have scored.

"We've got Shane Long, Grzegorz Rasiak, Gunnar Thorvaldsson and Simon Church as well as Nicholas Bignall and Hal Robson-Kanu.

"We've just got to find the right blend and when we do I'm sure we will start scoring."

Royals now face a critical home fixture against Barnsley on Saturday, a game they must really win to enhance their survival prospects.

"We've got to pick ourselves up and make sure we're spot on for Barnsley which is a massive game" admitted McDermott.

"In my five league games in charge four of them have been away and I'm really looking forward to going home to the Madejski Stadium."

McDermott has not won any of his five league games in charge and has suffered three defeats in that run.

However, speculation is rife that chairman Sir John Madejski is set to make the club's former chief scout his permanent manager for the rest of the season when he returns from holiday later this week.

McDermott confirmed: "I'll be speaking to the chairman very soon."

Reading (4-4-2): Federici - Griffin, Mills, Ingimarsson, Bertrand - McAnuff, Cisse (Howard 46), Karacan (Kebe 75), Sigurdsson - Thorvaldsson (Rasiak 63), Long. Subs not used: Church, Pearce, Khizanishvili, Hamer. Booked: Griffin 35, Howard 80.

Sheff Utd (4-4-2): Bunn - Walker, Morgan, Fortune, Taylor (Stewart 46) - Ward (Yeates 85), Montgomery, Harper, Quinn - Evans (Henderson 80), Cresswell. Subs not used: Williamson, Bennett, Geary, Camara. Booked: Montgomery 47, Harper 62, Quinn 74.

Referee: Phil Crossley (Kent).

Attendance: 24,009.

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Sir Dodger Roytal
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Jan 27, 13:50
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The Chairman says the fans are right behind Bian McD. Well we are right behind the Chairman with a size 12 boot. SJM has lost the blot. His strategy was never going to work and all we can hope for is a slice of luck and we finish twentieth in the league. Our current set of four strikers cost £300K. Approx £75K each. You pay more than £150K to get a decent striker out of the Conference so is it surprising we are where we are in the league.

The current League position is not because RFC are unlucky it is because they are just not good enough and no amount of SJM spin can alter that fact.

Frankly appointing a scout who has yet to win a match as Manager is just another example of blant mad management. He is a nice guy and nice guys win nothing. What we need is someone to stir up the Club and then for SJM to leave ASAP.

Those are the facts and it's time to act and make positive decisions to move the Club. At present we are stuck in reverse gear and have run out of petrol.

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David May
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Jan 27, 15:32
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What happened to the madmans building bricks!!!! looks like their being pulled down one by one. Premier league,extend the stadium I wish, 2011 in Div 1 with home gates back to a normal 8000. Well done Sir John hope the money brings you joy and love,ha ha

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david may
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Jan 27, 15:39
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Were two goals down againt SU defence playing like fairies and have a Georgian international on the bench far more experienced than the whole defence put together and do we bring him on!!!!!!!!!!!! O no we dont, so why loan him. If he is good enough, play him.

We bring on reserves like Howard and Kebe who would not get a game at prospect park sunday league.

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