Back From The Game - Bolton

[EarleyRoyal16]

Also a good gesture to give Pog the pen because he already had his hat-trick.

Not sure that was the case. Looked like Pog wrestled him for the ball. ALF had probably reached his maximum goals bonus after the hat-trick, so Pog thought he'd have one to earn a few more quid.

I thought at the time that Pog had almost demanded the ball and what the big Russian asks for, he gets! I certainly wouldn't argue with him, even if he does seem quite a nice, mild-mannered guy!

For a big scary Russian man he does come across as quite the Gent, but I still wouldn't look at him the wrong way!

[MmmMonsterMunch]

I couldn't give a monkey's that he gave the East stand the finger. I thought he was an over-rated, petulant prick with delusions of grandeur when he played for us, and I've delighted in his failure to succeed since he's left.

Some people, you just don't like. And for me, he's one of the footballers that fall into that category.

Meh. While he was with us he was one of our best players and people are only bitter towards him because they were pissed at losing a key man.

Not the case for me. I didn't like him, thought he was a walking liability despite his obvious talent, because he was a total dick. I was happy to see him go and amazed we'd managed to con profit out of Leicester for him.

I resent being told I don't know why I dislike him.

I agree - the guy was an utter tool. I remember countless occasions where he berated the other players. There was one particular evening game where he ripped into Karacan (forget who it was against) but he was a nasty cnut.

The middle finger gesture just topped it all off for me. For a club captain to do that is just not on IMO.

[kwik-silva]

Meh. While he was with us he was one of our best players and people are only bitter towards him because they were pissed at losing a key man.

Not the case for me. I didn't like him, thought he was a walking liability despite his obvious talent, because he was a total dick. I was happy to see him go and amazed we'd managed to con profit out of Leicester for him.

I resent being told I don't know why I dislike him.

I agree - the guy was an utter tool. I remember countless occasions where he berated the other players. There was one particular evening game where he ripped into Karacan (forget who it was against) but he was a nasty cnut.

The middle finger gesture just topped it all off for me. For a club captain to do that is just not on IMO.

The fans were on his back after misplacing a couple of those long passes but I agree.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Well perhaps he should learn to fcuking pass then?! We've all groaned at plenty of misplaced passes over the last 2 seasons yet none of the current playing staff have seen fit to do that.........much as they might want to.

And it wasn't a couple either.... I think it was after the 5th or 6th time of doing it in the space of one half that the fans got fcuked off.

[P!ssed Off]

I agree - the guy was an utter tool. I remember countless occasions where he berated the other players. There was one particular evening game where he ripped into Karacan (forget who it was against) but he was a nasty cnut.

The middle finger gesture just topped it all off for me. For a club captain to do that is just not on IMO.

The fans were on his back after misplacing a couple of those long passes but I agree.

Were the fans even groaning at Mills. I certainly wasn't.
I was groaning at the management for the stupid tactic of playing Mills as a oxf*rd ball-playing defender.

[pea]

Mills has total crumbled in both games he's played against us since he left, lets the abuse get to him more than ive seen anyone else do.

Also, I swear we usually score for fun against Lonergan...

[Royal Ginger]

I was actually disappointed that Lonergan was playing when i first saw the team list, because i truly believe Adam Bogdan to be one of the worst goalkeepers ever to grace the top leagues despite him being a fellow russet headed fellow.

[melonhead]

Mills has total crumbled in both games he's played against us since he left, lets the abuse get to him more than ive seen anyone else do.

...

on what basis are you saying it got to him?

[genome]

The 7 goals might be a factor

[melonhead]

that could be just him being shit.
i saw no evidence that he became more shit due to his enragedness at our mockery

[Pepe the Horseman]

I heard him say to Zat Knight "Make them stop. Please make them stop. It's affecting my performance." And Zat Knight replied "I agree. You've played very well this season up until today. I'll have a word with them and see what I can do."

[genome]

that could be just him being shit.
i saw no evidence that he became more shit due to his enragedness at our mockery

Well, there is evidence that he was having a good season before he turned up at our place!

[melonhead]

I heard him say to Zat Knight "Make them stop. Please make them stop. It's affecting my performance." And Zat Knight replied "I agree. You've played very well this season up until today. I'll have a word with them and see what I can do."

[Maguire]

Nobody's bitter at the majority of key players we've lost over the last few years.
Who could be pissed at selling Mills for £4.5 million? It was an excellent piece of business for Reading.
He's just not a likeable character.
If he'd achieved success at Reading then he'd probably be remembered for that, but as it happened we lost the play-off final so he's just remembered for being a bit of a dick.

you remember him for sticking his middle finger up. I'll remember him for scoring against Everton, kick-starting the comeback in the PO final and having a solid season all-round.

And winning a penalty at Cardiff to put us 2-0 up in the semi-final.

[Maguire]

I have to say Mags this little crusade you're on is slightly rich given your apparent irrational dislike of our current boss.

It's not irrational - I think he's a bit of a helmet based on, well, everything I've ever heard him say.

Never devi8ed from my belief that he'll do well at Reading [remains to be seen] and I certainly don't boo him at games.

In fact I don't boo anyone at games because i'm not a six year old at a pantomime.

[genome]

Nobody's bitter at the majority of key players we've lost over the last few years.
Who could be pissed at selling Mills for £4.5 million? It was an excellent piece of business for Reading.
He's just not a likeable character.
If he'd achieved success at Reading then he'd probably be remembered for that, but as it happened we lost the play-off final so he's just remembered for being a bit of a dick.

you remember him for sticking his middle finger up. I'll remember him for scoring against Everton, kick-starting the comeback in the PO final and having a solid season all-round.

And winning a penalty at Cardiff to put us 2-0 up in the semi-final.

I'm not sure winning a penalty is an achievement... he was fouled!

[floyd__streete]

Nobody's bitter at the majority of key players we've lost over the last few years.
Who could be pissed at selling Mills for £4.5 million? It was an excellent piece of business for Reading.
He's just not a likeable character.
If he'd achieved success at Reading then he'd probably be remembered for that, but as it happened we lost the play-off final so he's just remembered for being a bit of a dick.

^ This. 100% this.

Reading supporters - if nothing else - are good at applauding ex players who have served the club well and with some dignity. Compare receptions for Sidwell and Mills.

Well perhaps he should learn to fcuking pass then?! We've all groaned at plenty of misplaced passes over the last 2 seasons yet none of the current playing staff have seen fit to do that.........much as they might want to.

And it wasn't a couple either.... I think it was after the 5th or 6th time of doing it in the space of one half that the fans got fcuked off.

This is largely complete rubbish.

I remember the game in question, vs QPR March(ish) 2010. He had clearly been instructed by the Reading bench to ping diagonals towards Kebe, but as usual our hapless winger with a heart the size of a pea failed to either control the ball properly or make a decent attempt at an aerial challenge to win a ball which at times was 100% perfectly to his feet. Mills was clearly doing what he was instructed to do.

[Maguire]

And winning a penalty at Cardiff to put us 2-0 up in the semi-final.

I'm not sure winning a penalty is an achievement... he was fouled!

You don't think winning a penalty is an achievement?

He was pulled back because he was very dangerous off set-pieces at the time with his sharp movement and had got ahead of his marker at that corner.

booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[genome]

No, not really. He was just running towards goal and got pulled back, big deal.

Let's all applaud Matt Mills for the occasional moment of playing football then.

[The Rouge]

Is it OK to not have a polarised view on Mills?

I regard him as a strong, dominant footballer who had a very good impact on the pitch during his time at Reading. Everton away and the play off semis and final were times when he lead the team with distinction. I taper this with.. the finger was ill-judged, he was often doing the wrong thing with the ball on the pitch, (from what I have heard) he was a disruptive influence in the dressing room (particularly re: Rodgers - who I wish we had given more time) and a bit ego-centric.

So pretty neutral. I never boo either.