Royals boss slams 'naughty' opponents
Sportsdesk • Published 31 Jul 2012 06:30
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SC Olhanense 1 - 1 Reading
READING FC manager Brian McDermott admitted his players were lucky to avoid injury as their Portuguese tour ended with a 1-1 draw with top-flight side SC Olhanense.
Royals accused last Friday night's opponents of using strongarm tactics to unsettle his side.
And he also said his players received little protection from the referee after a string of nasty challenges from the pumped-up hosts.
A superb strike from summer signing Danny Guthrie had given Royals a first-half lead but Olhanense's Rui Duarte levelled from the spot after the break after Nicky Shorey was harshly penalised for handball.
And McDermott fumed: "I was pleased we came out of it with no serious injuries. Some of the tackles were naughty, we didn't get any protection.
"In the first 60 minutes we were good, we played with a good shape. We went in 1-0 up which I thought was fair but putting a new team out for 30 minutes is not easy.
"The referee gave them a penalty from somewhere when we could have had one ourselves just a moment before.
"But overall I'll say again I'm really pleased we've come through unscathed."
And he added: "It's no laughing matter, some of it was outrageous. You could see the tackles coming a long way off.
"Whether it's a friendly, a league game or whatever, it's really important that players are protected, which didn't happen."
Reading ended their three-match tour of Portugal without a win following their earlier 2-0 defeat to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday plus a 1-1 draw with CDR Quarteirense.
However, McDermott insisted his side will soon reap the benefits from their European training excursion.
"The attitude of the players and the training has been first class," he said. "That will put us in good stead for the season."
Reading continue their pre-season campaign with a trip to AFC Bournemouth this Saturday (3pm).
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dickemery
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Aug 2, 08:38
Report commenta poor showing by the players on this tour BD will have to earn his wages and reputation as upcoming prem manger
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