Griffin no longer left in the cold

Anthony Smith • Published 22 Dec 2011 09:30 0 Comments

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Defender makes winning comeback after three months

ONE man's loss is another man's gain - just ask Andy Griffin.

The experienced defender found himself relegated to the first-team fringes after picking up an injury in the defeat to Watford in early September.

And when Griffin recovered, his path back into the side was firmly blocked by the increasingly impressive 22-year-old right-back Shaun Cummings.

But, as fate would have it, Griffin made his first start in more than three months on Saturday in the momentous 1-0 win at Leeds United - Reading's first ever win at Elland Road.

However, there is a twist as Griffin played at left-back as Ian Harte and Joseph Mills were both sidelined.

Mills suffered an ankle injury in the 3-2 victory at Ipswich Town almost a month ago, then Harte picked up a sickness bug last Friday, cruelly denying the former Leeds great a return to his old stomping ground.

So Griffin, 32, stepped in at the last minute and was an integral part of a back four that kept a clean sheet against Simon Grayson's promotion rivals.

"It was good to be in the team," said the understated Griffin. "Elland Road is always a difficult place to go. It was a big game with them above us but we totally deserved the win. We could have been two or three nil up in the first half.

"We defended well as a team. Leeds had one good opportunity in the first half but that was it and it was reasonably comfortable. It was nice to be involved in a bit of positive history."

Griffin, though, has a battle on his hands to keep the shirt for the Boxing Day visit of Brighton & Hove Albion, with Harte and Mills likely to be fit and in contention.

However, Griffin insists he is comfortable in the left-back slot. "I'm not fussed really," he admitted. "I think overall it might be might be 60/40 or 50/50 whether I prefer it at right or left back.

"Maybe being right footed, it's a little more natural at right back but, if told to play left back, it's no problem.

"I started my career at left back and when I went to Stoke on loan I played there. It's neither here nor there for me."

Griffin was a mainstay of the Reading team in last season's near promotion miss. This season, however, has been more of a struggle due to injury and the emergence of Cummings as a star for the future.

But the ex-Newcastle United star stated: "Every footballer would say the same, it's not ideal, we all want to play. But sometimes you have to bide your time, be patient and work hard. When the opportunity arises you have to take it.

"As a footballer or athlete, you can't play on your emotions. You have to be in control and have the right temperament.

"We all want to play but there are 20-something professionals here. It's down to the manager, but I'm in a very blessed position.

"I have not been feeling sorry for myself, I've just worked hard. You've got to remain positive and do yourself justice when you get a chance."

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