MX23RW : Thursday, January 9 22:39:30| >> :600:559026:559026:
[monks data]
Reading logo
Championship | Gameweek 29
Feb 13, 2021 at 3pm UK
Madejski Stadium
Millwall logo

Reading
1 - 2
Millwall

Semedo (17')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Smith (76'), Bennett (85')
Hutchinson (65'), Wallace (90')

Gary Rowett criticises "disrespectful" changing facilities at Reading

Substitutes Matt Smith and Mason Bennett scored late on as the Lions roared back to win at the Madejski Stadium.

Millwall manager Gary Rowett said his players were angered by poor changing facilities at the Madejski Stadium and that inspired them to their 2-1 victory over Reading.

Alfa Semedo gave Reading a 17th-minute lead with a speculative 35-yard drive after poor Millwall defending.

The Royals seemed set to hang on to their lead in a drab second half but the visitors struck with late goals from substitutes Matt Smith and Mason Bennett.

Millwall's squad was forced to change in temporary facilities in a concourse between the South and East Stands – opposite the normal dressing rooms in the West Stand.

"We certainly weren't hoping to hold our team meeting in a concourse that was about minus-eight," Rowett said.

"All the players felt that it was a tad disrespectful to put us there. But it gave us more motivation and we certainly used that to our advantage.

"No, we weren't in a caretaker's shed. It wasn't quite as good as that.

"If we'd lost the game, I would have said the same thing. I've got no real complaints but it was the players who felt aggrieved."

A Reading spokesman declined to comment but it is believed that most other visiting sides to the Madejski Stadium this season have been afforded the same changing facilities.

Millwall are now unbeaten in six Sky Bet Championship matches.

"Reading are a fantastic team and they've got real quality," Rowett added. "Part of our game plan was to utilise the fact that they had played on Wednesday [lost 3-1 to Brentford].

"They looked to have expended a lot of energy and although they were unfortunate to lose the game late on, we just saw this as an opportunity to start well against them.

"I thought we did that. We hit the bar, pinned Reading back and had some good moments on the edge of their box.

"We just couldn't find that extra bit of quality we needed. And then we conceded a very poor goal. Mentally, that set us back.

"On this good run, we have started to show a more clinical edge about us. Unless you finish properly, you don't win games."

Play-off chasing Reading have lost two home games in a week after an unbeaten seven-match run.

"It is a hard loss. Obviously, we are not happy with the result," Reading manager Veljko Paunovic said.

"It was a tough one to take, especially because in the first half we played a difficult game against a difficult opponent.

"But we should have scored more goals, which was the key to the game.

"And then, in the second half, we conceded twice and put ourselves in a difficult situation.

"It is not the time to put the blame on somebody. We are all responsible for this result.

"But at the same time, we have been in the same situations in the past – and we have to learn from it.

"We have to grow as a team and we will look to bounce back as soon as possible.

"We must stop the bleeding in the very next game and get the guys to recover their spirits.

"We are responsible for this and we are responsible for the future.

"This is a very important moment in the season for us and we are all aware of that. We are all accountable."

ID:435133: cacheID:435133:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4987:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Watford manager Xisco Munoz pictured in February 2021
Read Next:
Saturday's Championship predictions including Watford vs. Bristol City
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds26158348192953
2Burnley26141023192252
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd26166436171952
4Sunderland26148439221750
5Middlesbrough26118743321141
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom26913432211140
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn2511682823539
8Bristol City2691073330337
9Watford25114103536-137
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2610793840-237
11Norwich CityNorwich269984337636
12Swansea CitySwansea2697103030034
13Queens Park RangersQPR2671182934-532
14Millwall257992423130
15Preston North EndPreston2661282834-630
16Coventry CityCoventry2678113437-329
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2577112840-1228
18Derby CountyDerby2676133135-427
19Stoke CityStoke2669112432-827
20Luton TownLuton2674152744-1725
21Portsmouth2458113041-1123
22Hull City2658132536-1123
23Cardiff CityCardiff2558122540-1523
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2548132453-2920


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!