Matt Mills

[Millsy]

you don't stick your finger up at those who pay wages especially when kids are present

I totally agree with everything here, except for this. I know it's an old debate, but

1) It's simply not true - look at the club accounts.

2) I'm sure Mills would happily fork out for a refund of their match/season tickets if they agreed to never come back. In fact so would I!

Interesting. We may well get funding from sponsors, merhandise etc etc but the fact of the matter is all of these things are fanbase dependent. Without us, there is NO club - whether the ticket prices pay wages directly or indirectly via club size/stature/attractiveness, we are what makes the club.

Otherwise Madejski wouldn't be so desperate for us to "spread the word".

EDIT: on second thoughts what about WIgan... hmm...

[Sarah Star]

There's only one Matt Mills!

I salute you!

[TVPRoyal]

Let's get a sense of perspective here, shall we?

Yes, he was frustrated. Yes, yes he reacted badly to the abuse from some of the crowd. Yes, he was unprofessional. Yes, he knew he was wrong immediately - did you not see him cut up and crying, and being comforted by Feds & Tabb?

No, he is not a disgrace. No, he should not be sacked, thrown out or some of the other things being suggested.

He is human and he is not perfect - and he made a mistake. It's not the end of the world, and I'm sure some of those calling for his head are some of the most foul-mouthed people going.

People can make a big thing about this and continue to be hurt and be outraged, tabloid-stylee - or they can see this for the relatively minor issue it was, accept the apology when it inevitably comes, and move on.

+ 1,000,000 ^^^^^

[Percy's Rocket]

Let's get a sense of perspective here, shall we?

Yes, he was frustrated. Yes, yes he reacted badly to the abuse from some of the crowd. Yes, he was unprofessional. Yes, he knew he was wrong immediately - did you not see him cut up and crying, and being comforted by Feds & Tabb?

No, he is not a disgrace. No, he should not be sacked, thrown out or some of the other things being suggested.

He is human and he is not perfect - and he made a mistake. It's not the end of the world, and I'm sure some of those calling for his head are some of the most foul-mouthed people going.

People can make a big thing about this and continue to be hurt and be outraged, tabloid-stylee - or they can see this for the relatively minor issue it was, accept the apology when it inevitably comes, and move on.

+1..absolutely right. Its a shame it happened but move on..the saddest thing is it's a distraction from a superb victory

but sadly the boo boys will be saying we were rubbish and why didn't we play them off the park..

which shows how much they know about the game.

[When Hicks went up...]

I'm looking forward to all these fans that "pay his wages" demanding a proportion of his inevitable fine for completely destroying the dressing room door!

[LoyalRoyal13]

IMO after about the 4th attempt to play the long ball into Kebe in a row, a fair few fans near me in Y26 let out a collective groan and there was a bit of booing etc, but when Mills turned to the fans there were a lot of "oxf*rd" gestures and fingers being thrown up at him, a lot of COMPLETELY unfounded abuse, it was ridiculous and I had never been so embarrassed to be sat in that area before.

LOLLLL at the people saying things like "I heard no boos before Mills stuck his finger up" what you think he swore at fans for groaning? USE YOUR BRAIN! There were a lot of absolute C**** swearing at him when he turned round.

I do not condone his actions, and I'm sure he will be regretting it now and the apology will come soon, but I do understand where it came from. Booing our own players, one of our BEST for a long time - it's come to this? It will be a sad sad day if Mills leaves because of some nobhead fans.

Also LOL at the people who believe that because they pay it is their right to do/say/act how they feel in which ever way they choose.

Booing your own players < anything.

[marcusopp]

As some of you guys have said, this is basically a nothing situation.
Anyone who has played football at any sort of competitive level knows that things can get frustrating when they don't go your way (i.e. long balls out to the left, as instructed I assume), no need to get on each others backs though, we all want the same thing.
Due to his adrenaline still pumping, he now has to make an apology to the fans. With hind sight acknowleding his name being chanted, or coming over at the end would have been easier, but we were all 23 once!
We love you Matt Mills!

[MmmMonsterMunch]

IMO after about the 4th attempt to play the long ball into Kebe in a row, a fair few fans near me in Y26 let out a collective groan and there was a bit of booing etc, but when Mills turned to the fans there were a lot of "oxf*rd" gestures and fingers being thrown up at him, a lot of COMPLETELY unfounded abuse, it was ridiculous and I had never been so embarrassed to be sat in that area before.

LOLLLL at the people saying things like "I heard no boos before Mills stuck his finger up" what you think he swore at fans for groaning? USE YOUR BRAIN! There were a lot of absolute C**** swearing at him when he turned round.

I do not condone his actions, and I'm sure he will be regretting it now and the apology will come soon, but I do understand where it came from. Booing our own players, one of our BEST for a long time - it's come to this? It will be a sad sad day if Mills leaves because of some nobhead fans.

Also LOL at the people who believe that because they pay it is their right to do/say/act how they feel in which ever way they choose.

Booing your own players < anything.

Chill out my goodness. Sorry but as a professional footballer you need to develop a thick skin. Reading fans are mild when compared with many other clubs. Don't condone the booing at all but he is an idiot for doing that. As already mentioned why not acknowledge the crowd when they chanted near the end & get it all sorted there & then. No....storm off the pitch instead & push the assistant manager en route. Idiot. Me thinks he doesn't want to be at Reading long term as he wouldn't have behaved like that tonight if he did.

Tis a storm in a teacup - will be quickly forgotten as long as he apologises & yes he should apologise.

[West_Reading]

Let's get a sense of perspective here, shall we?

Yes, he was frustrated. Yes, yes he reacted badly to the abuse from some of the crowd. Yes, he was unprofessional. Yes, he knew he was wrong immediately - did you not see him cut up and crying, and being comforted by Feds & Tabb?

No, he is not a disgrace. No, he should not be sacked, thrown out or some of the other things being suggested.

He is human and he is not perfect - and he made a mistake. It's not the end of the world, and I'm sure some of those calling for his head are some of the most foul-mouthed people going.

People can make a big thing about this and continue to be hurt and be outraged, tabloid-stylee - or they can see this for the relatively minor issue it was, accept the apology when it inevitably comes, and move on.

Post of The Week.

[Elm Park Old Boy]

I agree there's no need for us to be too prissy, and although people were getting frustrated, if some fans were abusing Mills, that is not justified, especially after the run we've had and his contribution to it.

But I was worried and disappointed by Mills' actions in several ways:

- giving the whole block of fans the finger was a terrible overreaction. Some may have deserved it but he in effect flipped off the whole stand (and that's what led to the booing that I heard - which was very widespread)
- he also waved off McD's signals and advice to him to calm down, in a way that looked arrogant towards the manager
- as people have commented, large numbers of the crowd offered him an olive branch by chanting his name. Again it seemed arrogant to me to ignore that when he could have responded.

As others have said, he's young and things happen in the heat of the moment. But he needs to show some humility to recover some ground.

[FiNeRaIn]

There's only one Matt Mills!

I salute you!

Yeah, swearing at your own fans is something to be proud of.

Get back to the kitchen.

[Ozymandias]

Disgraceful behaviour from Mills - if you're going to repeatedly punt the ball out of play then expect some stick. I didn't hear anyone booing just groans and frustration, the lad needs a sharp reminder of his place and position in the club. Hardly captain material is it.

Biggest +1 ever.

+1 - I'm in this camp, the guy has disrespected all the fans who come along and watch the game, if you can't see that you're not very bright or are very, rose tinted. If I were to flip the bird to my peers/Manager/wage payers tomorrow, I'd have pretty short day. The RTG's on here can support him all they like, but it's a basic lack of respect for the club, and to be honest, those fans who will continue to support him on here !

I believe he should apologise, but will he?, or will he release a meaningless statement?, Makes no odds, there will be people on here who are blind to his petulance, and his arrogance. he has essentially flipped you, his wage payer, the bird, and you're going to applaud him, and cheer him.

[Sarah Star]

There's only one Matt Mills!

I salute you!

Yeah, swearing at your own fans is something to be proud of.

Get back to the kitchen.

Yeah, I was a bit surprised, but it's football and you know it's heat of the moment stuff and he'll apologise and get on with it. Makes me laugh really. I'm guessing Tim Dellor is outraged.

[The Royal We]

We've won 8 out of last 9 games and are now mid table with an outside chance of making the play offs, having looked (in my opinion) certain to be relegated 7 weeks ago.

Yet our "fans" decide to abuse a player who has has been intregal to this upturn in fortunes, because of a few wayward passes. To my mind this is moronic, counter productive and beyond pathetic. What's wrong people? Bored now you can't boo Kebe because he's playing well?!

I'm in Y22 and the abuse started there before he made the gesture. I now seem to be public enemy number one where I sit as a result of voicing my objection to the taunts. I'm obviously not a proper fan?!

Mills reaction was disappointing, but perhaps understandable. If I'd performed brilliantly in my job for the past 7 weeks, but was then subjected to fierce criticism after making a few minor mistakes, I'd be bemused and angry.

[Avon Royal]

Disgraceful behaviour from Mills - if you're going to repeatedly punt the ball out of play then expect some stick. I didn't hear anyone booing just groans and frustration, the lad needs a sharp reminder of his place and position in the club. Hardly captain material is it.

Biggest +1 ever.

+1 - I'm in this camp, the guy has disrespected all the fans who come along and watch the game, if you can't see that you're not very bright or are very, rose tinted. If I were to flip the bird to my peers/Manager/wage payers tomorrow, I'd have pretty short day. The RTG's on here can support him all they like, but it's a basic lack of respect for the club, and to be honest, those fans who will continue to support him on here !

I believe he should apologise, but will he?, or will he release a meaningless statement?, Makes no odds, there will be people on here who are blind to his petulance, and his arrogance. he has essentially flipped you, his wage payer, the bird, and you're going to applaud him, and cheer him.

And anyone who gets upset at a footballer making a gesture needs to take a long hard look at themselves.

[Thomas L'Heureux]

We've won 8 out of last 9 games and are now mid table with an outside chance of making the play offs, having looked (in my opinion) certain to be relegated 7 weeks ago.

Yet our "fans" decide to abuse a player who has has been intregal to this upturn in fortunes, because of a few wayward passes. To my mind this is mornic, counter productive and beyond pathetic. What's wrong people? Bored now you can't boo Kebe because he's playing well?!

I'm in Y22 and the abuse started there before he made the gesture. I now seem to be public enemy number one where I sit as a result of voicing my objection to the taunts. I'm obviously not a proper fan?!

Mills reaction was disappointing, but perhaps understandable. If I'd performed brilliantly in my job for the past 7 weeks, but was then subjected to fierce criticism after making a few minor mistakes, I'd be bemused and angry.

Good post fella, well done.

[Z175]

okay say you work really hard at your job for 2 months and then, during a struggling period your manager asks you to do something different. it sort of comes off but twice doesn't work, so your customer stands over you giving you torrents of abuse,despite your recent sacrifices for your job and hard work for them?!. you'd do the same!

he was great at the back as always
most of his Beckham balls went roughly near their man and most stayed
on the pitch. this probably makes him rfc passer of the millennium! people sjouldnt get spoilt, we dont have Beckham and we will occasionally have to longball it past an obdurate midfield! spot on frustrating tactics surely?.

Further,I disagree it was ineffective. 1st half we patently couldn't get past their deep midfield but after HT most mills balls led to kebe winning something too thanks to their poor full back. in the second half several half chances came from mills play.

so frankly the thousands of irate fans who caused mills to lose it are in the wrong..ironically these same people who clapped him to shut up the boo idiots.

anyone who has ever singled out a player for abuse should be questioning whether this is being a true supporter (shunt excluded). I don't pay them to play how i want, I pay for the privilege of watching and to get us a win!

[reading98]

Matt Mills has been class since he has come back in to the team, yes he needs to stop looking for the long pass every single time.

HoweverI dont really see the big problem fans vented frustration player vented his, I'm sure he was more pissed off his passes were not coming off more than a bunch of cocky 16 yr old chavs.


The player only got boo's after he gave the finger not before just moans and groans when the ball didnt find its destination.

[West_Reading]

We, as fans, don't pay Mills' wages. Yes we pay to support our team, but if we were to stop going, Mills would still pick up his pay packet. It is ultimately Reading FC, the company, which pays him. We could seen to be customers.

It's like saying you pay the wages of Pizza Hut staff (A bit of a tangent I know) just because you eat there, therefore you have the right to abuse the staff.

[sandman]

Strange how no one has mentioned the mistake he made when he didn't try the long ball he hesitated (presumably because he didn't want more abuse) and promptly lost the ball. Alright nothing came of it but imagine for a moment that it had. The booing would of had a real effect on the outcome of the match.