The most frustrating soundbite of Reading’s season has been rolled out once more following the permanent appointment of caretaker boss Brian McDermott, this time referring to tomorrows home clash with Barnsley, but this time it was said was meaning. The 48-year-old knows that there is already pressure on him to produce the league results that will claw the Royals towards safety and, as one of the few sides defeated this season, it provides a good opportunity for McDermott to mark his slate.
The new man has already had five league games to prove his worth and only managed two points from them. However the improved performances, coupled of course with those all important FA cup wins, was evidence enough though for his chairman to give him his first chance as a manager. If the former manager, Brendan Rodgers, was allowed to declare the first five professional games of his reign to still be ‘pre-season’ then so should Brian McDermott, whose Reading career will truly begin in front of the watching eyes of the Madejski Stadium come 3pm tomorrow afternoon.
McDermott has begun to stamp his influence on the club already. Three new signings have joined the ranks, Khizanishvili and Griffin on loan from Premier League clubs and Icelandic striker Thorvaldsson finally put pen to paper having been courted since Steve Coppell was in charge. The team have reverted to a 4-4-2 and the line-up is more settled. Two important players have also returned to the side; tigerish midefield Jem Karacan along with Rodgers much-maligned signing Matt Mills, who has finally started to look like the player he threatened to be following his £2m move in the summer.
He may not be every fans choice, given his low-key status and the potential options that were available as a replacement for Brendan Rodgers, but he has earned his chance in the hotseat. Whilst this supporter can’t deny that he would feel more comfortable in the hands of a more experienced man, Gareth Southgate being the name that springs to mind, I am more than willing to give McDermott a fair chance. The football has improved, the decision-making seems more rational and the players appear fitter than earlier in the season. He has proved that he has what it takes to win football matches. If he can begin his reign with a win against Barnsley, then truly, the season starts now.
Posted by toddnash 


