Matt Mills

[When Hicks went up...]

Let's CALM DOWN

All above opinions are valid. Every post I read I feel like agreeing with.

The facts of the matter are...

1) Those who bood initially are idiots but have some right to as they pay wages - sadly such folk will always exist at RFC
2) Those who bood after the swearing had every right to - you don't stick your finger up at those who pay wages especially when kids are present
3) Mills was an unprofessional fool for santicking his finger up at them - compare with the gentleman Kebe is
3) but he is not used to it and was just a bit hot-headed. He will learn.

It's all a bit of a flash in the pan really and we just need to calm down a bit, as does Millsy. No big deal, just hotheadedness.

MacSaviour will chat to him, he will almost certainly do the right thing, feel very embarrassed when he calms down and genuinely apologise for it publicly.

All will be forgotten.

Mills if you're reading this - don't worry about it mate you just got a bit passionate, no big deal. Sincere apology and the attention will turn to the idiots who like to boo and you'll be cool again.

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!

[FiNeRaIn]

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.

[West_Reading]

There's obviously two camps of thought here. I'm firmly in the one that says you don't boo your own players and if you do, then you deserve whatever comes your way.

[Winchester Royal]

A frustrated groan at a repetitively overhit pass does not warrant sticking the middle finger up at the crowd. He may have been under instruction to hit them long to Kebe, but when they're long and over everybody's heads then what would he expect? Applause?

I expect to see an apology and this storm in a teacup will be over. B McD will have a chat with him and he'll get on with his job.

[Y21]

The fans were getting generally a bit grumpy as it was a frustrating night. The fact that Mills continually tried the same ambitious long pass out to Kebe despite not having completed it the previous half a dozen times caused the grumbling and general moaning from the east. I think Mills reaction was excessive compared to the level of stick he was getting. And to strop off at the end? What a tit. Man up and take it you pansy. Or at least laugh it off. Its a bit concerning that he took a little bit of criticism so badly.

[floyd__streete]

The fans were getting generally a bit grumpy as it was a frustrating night. The fact that Mills continually tried the same ambitious long pass out to Kebe despite not having completed it the previous half a dozen times caused the grumbling and general moaning from the east. I think Mills reaction was excessive compared to the level of stick he was getting. And to strop off at the end? What a tit. Man up and take it you pansy. Or at least laugh it off. Its a bit concerning that he took a little bit of criticism so badly.

^ this.

Some of the soppy sods on this thread should remember that people have paid good money to attend matches and can - within reason - react how the damned hell they like to what they see.

And before I get set upon I'd like to add that I wasn't one who booed. I thought Mills had an exceptional game defensively.

[loyalroyal4life]

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.

i would agree with most of that apart from the captain bit. At 23 he has more in the locker and he will become wiser.

[Basingstoke Royal]

I didnt hear any boos until after the finger. Before hand a few groans and shouts - this happens all the time and players have to rise above it.

Makes me think he probably did something similar behind the scenes to Rodgers, which is why he was dropped by the man who spent most of our transfer budget on him.

I had him down as the next club captain but he must grow up if he has a chance of this.

The fans gave him the chance to make up by cheering and chanting his name, which he threw back in their faces.

He will have to come out and apologise now if he wants a future at the club.

Do the right thing Matty - you are our best defender and the fans love you.

[Focher]

one thing i will add is this level of abuse is absolutely nothing compared the abuse dished out By Handbags at Blackpool to McAnuff

[MmmMonsterMunch]

The fans were getting generally a bit grumpy as it was a frustrating night. The fact that Mills continually tried the same ambitious long pass out to Kebe despite not having completed it the previous half a dozen times caused the grumbling and general moaning from the east. I think Mills reaction was excessive compared to the level of stick he was getting. And to strop off at the end? What a tit. Man up and take it you pansy. Or at least laugh it off. Its a bit concerning that he took a little bit of criticism so badly.

100% agree with this. I heard no booing until he swore at the crowd. Players all over the country will be subject to a lot worse than this - Hunt last season, Kebe anyone? Grow a set Mills. Don't condone the booing but come on - total overreaction IMO which has done him no favours at all.

[woodley_royal_124]

toppy said

I think

1) Kicked ball out for nth time while trying a long pass to wing
2) East stand groan/some boo
3) He give the finger
4) More booing
5) Other fans, clap cheer, chant name
6) We score
7) East stand chants his name...

Fans are fickle. end of.

I have been to the last three matches now because I have watched Reading play a style of football (under Rogers) that made me cringe. Brian McD has got it right, Matthew Mills may have had an 'off' day in the opinion of some tonight, who cares ?, he stopped QPR whenever they posed a threat....and I dont think they did in the second half. Him and Tabby are joint MOTM. If we can get a result agaisnt a team that is only to frustrate us, then I am satisfied. 3 points. end of. Safety in this League is all I ask and we are pretty nigh there.

[RobRoyal]

an absolute cert to depart in the summer

Really? I don't get it. Who would benefit from that?

Reading. I am not saying for one minute he should be booted out, I just suspect that someone will pay a decent feeto take him off our hands in the summer. He is performing excellently and is upwardly mobile. If that - sadly - is his attitude as displayed tonight he will be missed.....but not much.

I don't see it. Sure, if someone was to come in with £4m or whatever then we might sell, but that would have been the case anyway. He's a young guy, cut him some slack. To make out that showing the finger when you're being booed by a bunch of ignorant fools is the action of a pampered, out-of-touch footballer...? Seems to me more like acting like a normal bloke (which, of course, isn't really allowed).

[andrew1957]

The fans were getting generally a bit grumpy as it was a frustrating night. The fact that Mills continually tried the same ambitious long pass out to Kebe despite not having completed it the previous half a dozen times caused the grumbling and general moaning from the east. I think Mills reaction was excessive compared to the level of stick he was getting. And to strop off at the end? What a tit. Man up and take it you pansy. Or at least laugh it off. Its a bit concerning that he took a little bit of criticism so badly.

^ this.

Some of the soppy sods on this thread should remember that people have paid good money to attend matches and can - within reason - react how the damned hell they like to what they see.

And before I get set upon I'd like to add that I wasn't one who booed. I thought Mills had an exceptional game defensively.

This is a ridiculous argument. If we pay good money why not go along to support and encourage the players. They were giving there all tonight against a tough side going all out for a draw -who were always going to be difficult to break down. Mills was having to go for the long ball as there were often no other outlets. Just because we pay does not give is some divine right to abuse players.

[paultheroyal]

Mills knows Premiership is calling and sadly he will be there next season but without Reading. This is the start of his engineered move away from the club for three million from one of the promoted sides of this division. I have felt for a long time that his heart is not here particularly after Rodgers debacle and Mills will be gone come August.

[Avon Royal]

Mills > Y26

[TFF]

I was LOLing after the match imagining all the hand-wringing on here and wow, four pages already.

No one comes out of this very well tbh.

Let's hope it all blows over quickly.

[floyd__streete]

This is a ridiculous argument. If we pay good money why not go along to support and encourage the players. They were giving there all tonight against a tough side going all out for a draw -who were always going to be difficult to break down. Mills was having to go for the long ball as there were often no other outlets. Just because we pay does not give is some divine right to abuse players.

Why not stop being a patronising c***? Totally agree with the bit in bold though.

Mills knows Premiership is calling and sadly he will be there next season but without Reading. This is the start of his engineered move away from the club for three million from one of the promoted sides of this division. I have felt for a long time that his heart is not here particularly after Rodgers debacle and Mills will be gone come August.

Agree with this too, 100%.

[leww_rfc]

Shame on all fans who boo their players, especially when the team have won 8 out of 9!

[parky]

I too thought that the booing only happened after the salute to the fans, and then after that the reaction he gave was completely ridiculous criticism is something you get in football and using the argument you must expect what you give is ok to a point but lets remember that Mills is a professional and a role model to young supporters. It seems that this type of thing keeps happening when people involved in this club get a little bit of criticism or hear an opinion they disagree with or do not like, ie Rodgers Vs Dellor, SJM when some fans chanted 'wheres the money gone' and he hasn't appeared before a game since and now this. All this petulance from a club that just won Family club of the year.

[Dirk Gently]

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.