Fans vent anger after shock defeat
Anthony Smith • Published 22 Aug 2011 13:00
0 Comments
Share this
click to enlarge
Setback: Reading manager can't hide his frustrations during Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Barnsley. Pic: Chris Forsey. 114352.
See also:
Reading 1 - 2 Barnsley
READING boss Brian McDermott promised to repay disgruntled fans who booed the side off after their shock 2-1 home defeat by Barnsley.
Misfiring Royals missed two penalties in Saturday's unexpected loss at Madejski Stadium.
It means McDermott's men have taken just four points from their opening four matches and supporters are growing increasingly angry at what they see as a lack of investment in the team.
Royals have raked in around £10 million this summer from the sale of Shane Long and Matt Mills and fans are desperate to see that money used to strengthen the squad.
As a result, there were chants of 'spend some money' at the final whistle as Royals slumped to their first home league defeat this season.
The reaction clearly upset McDermott, who is determined to bounce back quickly when his side travel to Charlton Athletic tomorrow night for their rearranged Carling Cup first round tie.
He said: "It's really disappointing for our supporters to go home after that having seen us lose because we don't lose many at home.
"It was very unusual. First-half I could understand why, second-half we played some decent football but results are everything, especially at home. I have no problem with that, we just have to make it up to them in the next game."
And he insisted: "We're working really hard. We lost big players in the summer and I'm convinced we will come good, these guys always do.
"It was very disappointing but I've got complete faith in the boys and I just need the fans to have the same, that's really important."
Reading's Championship campaign got off to a promising start following an opening day draw with Millwall and a superb 2-0 victory at big-spending Leicester City, who bought Mills for a whopping £4.5 million recently.
But Royals have now lost their last two games after a 1-0 loss at Portsmouth last week and the defeat by Barnsley, which earned the Tykes their first victory of the season.
It has been a sobering week for McDermott from that perspective - and the Reading manager has ordered his players to cut out all talk of promotion until they get back on track.
"Against Leicester we were world beaters, against Portsmouth we weren't and same again in the Barnsley game," groaned McDermott, whose team lost in the Championship play-off final last season. "We cannot afford that.
"I have to be absolutely focused on our next game. I've heard our players talk about play-offs and winning the league, that has got to stop.
"The most important thing is to move on very quickly, forget last season, and with four games gone of this season this is a reality check."
Hal Robson-Kanu netted Reading's only goal with a clinical penalty, the home team's third spot-kick on the day.
But Tykes were already 2-0 up by then thanks to Stephen Foster and Matt Done and held on for the victory.
Royals keeper Adam Federici added: "I understand the fans' frustrations, but it's a long old season and if the supporters can hang in there and stay with us it'd be fantastic.
"We've seen our luck change a lot in our recent history and there's a long way to go this season."
Reading are due to play their rearranged Carling Cup tie at League One Charlton Athletic tomorrow night (Tuesday, 7.45pm ko).
New signing Joseph Mills could make his debut for McDermott's side.
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
