McDermott sick of Long's critics

Anthony Smith • Published 4 Nov 2010 16:35 7 Comments

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BRIAN McDermott is furious with Reading fans for jeering Shane Long - after revealing the much-maligned striker played through the pain barrier last weekend.

The Republic of Ireland international - who signed a new contract today - left the Madejski Stadium pitch to a chorus of boos with Royals trailing Doncaster Rovers 3-1. But McDermott’s men stormed back to win 4-3 after netting four goals for the second league game in a row.

However, Royals boss insists the criticism of Long is totally unjustified - especially given the pain he put his body through last Saturday afternoon.

Speaking exclusively to the Chronicle, McDermott said: “All I know is Shane gave his all for the shirt. If he didn’t get a decent ovation when I took him off it’s disappointing to say the least.

“I’m telling you, Shane did well, he won all his headers and put his body on the line. What fans don’t know is that he was ill before the game and ill at half time.

“He was throwing up everywhere and obviously wasn’t feeling great but he still went out there and gave everything for the shirt. People don’t see that side of Shane so it’s time they knew.”

Long signed a new deal until summer 2012 today, with his current contract due to run out in June 2011. He has netted twice this season, both times from the penalty spot and has been used mostly as a lone striker.

Now McDermott is appealing to supporters to get right behind him like they did with Jimmy Kebe.

“Shane is 23 and still learning but the last thing I’m going to do is defend him,” said McDermott. “I have great players at this club who give me everything they have.

“But over the years fans do sometimes give players a tough time. Jimmy Kebe is a prime example. He had a difficult time but now the fans love him.

“Shane had a difficult period with injuries but I know once he gets a few more goals the fans will be right on his side.

“The fact is we need fans to help him rather than go the other way. Confidence is a major factor in football and every player is affected by it. When fans have a go it doesn’t really help.”

Long has since recovered from a stomach bug and is likely to keep his place in McDermott’s starting line-up for Saturday’s mouthwatering trip to Neil Warnock’s Queens Park Rangers.

More than 2,500 Royals fans are heading to Loftus Road and McDermott added: “Everyone is entitled to their opinion and fans pay their money. All I will say is I only use players who give everything for the shirt.

“I heard someone call a radio station after Saturday’s game to say they were disappointed with our performance, even though we won 4-3.

“The fact is you can’t play well every game but we kept going and showed tremendous spirit to come back and win it. How anyone could be disappointed is beyond me.”

Meanwhile, Royals geared up for the weekend by inviting former X Factor star Danyl Johnson to a training session at Hogwood Park on Tuesday. “He used to be a goalkeeper and he’s a good lad,” stated striker Noel Hunt.

“He’s also a big Reading fan and a few of us exchange messages on Twitter.”

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 04 Nov 10

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

McBob
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Nov 4, 15:55
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"a chorus of boos" - What a load of rubbish. I didn't hear a single boo, let a alone a "chorus" of them. A blatent lie to generate a story. Shame on you.

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blogger
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Nov 4, 16:50
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There were boos, most people near me were either booing or clapping (as they were glad to see theback of him).

His recird speaks for itself. Two goals all season in how many games? (And they were pens).

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readingfc2f
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Nov 4, 16:51
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Long is RUBBISH!

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calcotro
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Nov 4, 16:52
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Booing a player never helps anyone, but Long is very poor. Hunt deserves a go.

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TadleyRZ
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Nov 5, 10:58
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Long is a good player, hard to play up front as a lone striker.. leave him alone morons!

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Mark
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Nov 5, 12:23
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Long is a good player, I just wonder if he is an out right striker?

To be fair, he gave his all for the team on Saturday, but does often fail to even make the keeper work. The caveat to this is he is "a lone striker" and honestly, a short one at that, but yet he does still make Freds kicks more often than not. Whether you like him or not, it is unquestionable that he will give 100% for the team, just frustrating when he doesn't make the keeper work more often!

Not sure about the boos though last Saturday; I also agree that you get more out of players by supporting them rather than having a go at them.

The subs were genius though, the right people at the right time, BM gave the team a chance and snatched the win, how can you be disappointed with that?!

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Colin
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Nov 5, 15:58
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If Shane Long was ill before the match why on earth was he selected to play? I'm afraid Brian you have some questions to answer there. Come up into the stands and see the game from our angle and you'll see that Long just doesn't have the ability of a Kevin Doyle. If he's still learning the game at 23 after 6 years in the team then I'm afraid there's a very real problem.

15,553 people watched the game Saturday and the vast majority paid their hard earned cash to see their team win. When a well paid (lets not claim he's anything else) player makes such a mess of a simple scoring opportunity and then follows it up just minutes later with another disaster in front of goal I believe the fans have every right to air their views. If the manager or the player don't like it I suggest they improve. Playing 1 up front has been a failing of ours this season and it isn't going to get any better any time soon. We desperately need another striker as the vast majority of our goals are coming from midfield or defence. Brian cannot believe we can get promoted when our most prolific goal scorers are Kebe and Mills.

Clearly the future lies in Simon Church and persisting with playing Long in a role he has never excelled at is just not going to work in the end. Ask yourself this, if Shane Long really was that good why doesn't any other clubs come a knocking for him?...

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******
Nov 5, 16:52
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