Published: Wednesday, 17th March, 2010 9:00am
McDermott reacts after boo-boys turn on Mills
by Anthony Smith
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Criticism: Matt Mills was jeered by Reading fans during the victory against QPR. But Brian McDermott strongly defended his player, calling him `outstanding.'
ROYALS boss Brian McDermott launch a staunch defence of Matt Mills after the player was barracked during Tuesday's 1-0 victory against QPR.
Gylfi Sigurdsson's dramatic 86th minute penalty made it six home league wins in a row for rampant Reading against Neil Warnock's 10-man Rangers.
But Mills, 23, was booed by Royals fans after a few long balls to Jimmy Kebe went astray.
The £2 million Doncaster Rovers signing then appeared to make a gesture in the direction of supporters and refused to applaud them at the final whistle.
He stormed off down the tunnel without shaking anyone's hand and later declined media interviews.
But McDermott, who remains unbeaten at the Madejski Stadium in the Championship, said: "The crowd were frustrated and we were all getting edgy.
"When you play against a resilient side like QPR it's never going to be easy to break them down.
"I asked Matt to hit some diagonal balls and he's hit some fantastic ones, and one that hasn't come off.
"He's got a little frustrated, we don't want to see that but toward the end the fans shouted his name and I was pleased with that.
"It's a passionate game, Matt Mills is passionate, our crowd are passionate, I'm passionate and we want to win games.
"We've had eight wins out of nine and he's been involved in every single one, he's been outstanding.
"Matt has been inspirational at the back and he was terrific again, but we was disappointed and frustrated like everyone. We need the crowd onside."
Rangers saw Damion Stewart sent off for two yellow cards just before the break.
Sigurdsson's penalty was his 13th goal of the season as Reading moved up to 14th and within reach of the play-offs, with a tough trip to Middlesbrough this Saturday (3pm).
WERE YOU AT TUESDAY NIGHT'S GAME? DID YOU BOO MATT MILLS?
Then tell us why and we'll print your responses in Thursday's Reading Chronicle....
Have your say. .
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Bob
Unregistered User
Mar 17, 11:47
Comment: 8727
Mills wasn't "booed by Royals fans after a few long balls... went astray".
There was a collective groan from the crowd after yet another hoof went astray.
He was booed only after he stuck his middle finger up to the crowd.
Please correct this mistake.
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James Bucknall
Unregistered User
Mar 17, 11:47
Comment: 8728
No I did not, it was just a small majority that did and they were drowned out. However about half the east stand hurled abuse and gestured at him after his pass, which was horrible for him to watch, who wouldn't react! These people will heap abuse on anyone, eg. Kebe, Long, even the Sig for the second half against Bristol. Are we turning into Wolves?! Please just support our team, especially when on such a good run!
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Martin
Unregistered User
Mar 17, 12:07
Comment: 8729
Mills response was totally out of propotion to the groans of frustration as the same old diagonal long pass was attempted, and failed. I didn't boo, but I was getting annoyed at the persitance in trying the same ball time and time again when it patently was not working.
I disagree with Brian McD that one didn't come off. Most of them were either over hit or Kebe didn't keep possession. Why didn't Mills try a shorter pass to the midfielders in front of him?
He showed a disappointing inability to receive criticism and at the end of it, Mills also showed a lack of maturity by not just shrugging it off. To strop off down the tunnel at the final whistle was frankly embarrassing. Grow up!
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Rich
Unregistered User
Mar 17, 14:35
Comment: 8730
Unacceptable behaviour by a player who lost control of himself in that second half. Was he expecting a round of applause for his repeated hoofed passes into the West Stand? Instead the crowd groaned and grumbled, but I didn't hear any booing pre-gesture, and especially not from "half the East Stand".
The manager & club cannot just brush this under the carpet as they'll be storing up discontent for the next subpar performance. Mills needs to grow up, take responsibility and then publicly apologise. That's enough for me, and we can then get on with the football, but the ball's in his court now.
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Rich
Unregistered User
Mar 17, 15:25
Comment: 8731
Unacceptable behaviour by a player who lost control of himself in that second half. Was he expecting a round of applause for his repeated hoofed passes into the West Stand? Instead the crowd groaned and grumbled, but I didn't hear any booing pre-gesture, and especially not from "half the East Stand".
The manager & club cannot just brush this under the carpet as they'll be storing up discontent for the next subpar performance. Mills needs to grow up, take responsibility and then publicly apologise. That's enough for me, and we can then get on with the football, but the ball's in his court now.
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