Rosenior responds to Royals boo-boys

Ben Steele • Published 9 Nov 2009 15:30 0 Comments

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LIAM Rosenior says he expected a hostile reception from Reading fans and was keen to play down his recent criticisms of his parent club.

Rosenior was in the Ipswich Town side that drew 1-1 at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday having gone to Portman Road for the season.

And he roused passions in the build-up by claiming he has no interest in Royals' success any longer, declaring: "I can't say I had two great years there because I didn't. I don't want to pretend I want them to do well, because I don't."

As a result, the 25-year-old right-back was jeered throughout the weekend's game but he insisted he did not mean any harm.

"I expected it (a hostile reception)," he declared. "To be honest I was getting booed last season when I was playing for Reading.

"But I've got nothing but respect for the fans here. I had a bit of banter with them and I hope they don't take it too seriously.

"It was nice to come back and see so many friendly faces and Reading was a great club to play for."

And he stressed: "The fans were good. They weren't too happy about me but they stuck by the Reading lads and if they do that I'm sure that things will change.

"I wasn't out there trying to prove a point, though you always want to do well against your old club. I felt I played quite well when I was at Reading and showed I'm a half decent player.

"I just wanted to do my best for Ipswich because we're in a similar situation as Reading."

Rosenior was a victim of cost-cutting over the summer that also saw James Harper, another of the highest earners, loaned to Sheffield United for the season.

Reading received a £200,000 loan fee from Ipswich who also inherited Rosenior's wages.

But the ex-Fulham defender insisted: "I said my time here was disappointing because we got relegated then failed to win promotion.

"It was a shame because I loved the club. They have been great to me and gave me an opportunity to play in the Premier league.

"I was devastated not to have gone up last season but Reading is a really good club. The chairman runs the club really well and they have a great manager now."

Reading striker Simon Church cancelled out Jon Stead's opener to earn his side a point.

But the draw meant Brendan Rodgers' men slipped back into the relegation zone and Ipswich were left one off the bottom.

However, Rosenior argued: "It's not a relegation battle. If either Reading or Ipswich can go on a run I still think we can make the play-offs.

"We're 15 points outside the play-offs which is five wins and there are 29 games to go so that's got to be the aim for both of us.

"If you look at our squads, there's no doubt we are both underachieving. If I said anything different I would be lying."

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