CLEMENT CAN EARN PARDON FROM ROYALS
‘Tireless Marriott never stops, he’s a nightmare for defenders’
PAUL CLEMENT was backed by Reading’s newest conscript in the battle to save his job.
The Royals boss gave a first start to Andy Rinomhota and was rewarded with a mature display from the 21-year-old that enabled Clement to dodge the bullet with a second successive home win.
Reading are still in trouble, but the smoke has cleared a little and Rinomhota (above) said: “All the players are backing the manager.
“We’re all still fighting for him, playing our hearts out. You could see the will and desire.”
Clemency for Clement was delivered by Leandro Bacuna, who scored the winner after Bristol City twice equalised.
It was only Reading’s fourth win in 16 games and the rumours of Steve Bruce arriving are likely to linger unless bottom club Ipswich are also beaten when they visit the Madejski on Saturday.
But if unity in adversity is required then Clement’s chances look good as some teams would have collapsed after twice conceding the lead.
Bacuna said: “We need to keep this home run going. If we can get the crowd behind us, keep them supporting us, believing in us, we could get something good.”
The Robins’ second successive defeat leaves them mid-table and was a microcosm of their season – some good bits, some very bad.
They fell behind to a soft Yakou Meite goal, levelled through Marlon Pack, conceded a cracker to Liam Kelly and responded again through Josh Brownhill.
City captain Pack said: “It is a recurring theme. Passages of our game were really good, but to concede three makes it tough.”
READING:
Bennett Jutkiewicz Wilson Marriott
JACK MARRIOTT may have taken the long way round to the launchpad but there’s no stopping Derby’s £5million striker now.
Five goals in six games, including against Manchester United and Chelsea, have catapulted Marriott into the national consciousness. Not bad for a forward who had three loan spells at Woking.
Not to mention once struggling to get into the first team at League Two Luton.
Peterborough benefited from Marriott’s hunger last season, giving thanks for his 33 goals in 56 appearances, before selling him to Derby for a tidy little profit.
Doing the business down the leagues is one thing.
Coping with the promotion expectations of a big Championship club is quite another. So far, so good.
Marriott wrapped up an impressive comeback win over Birmingham, slotting the ball between the legs of former Rams keeper Lee Camp.
As club captain Curtis Davies said: “We got that through Jack’s endeavour. A lot of people will see that ball going out and think, ‘I’m not getting there.’
“But he runs on to it, keeps it in and scores from an acute angle.
“That’s what Jack does, he never gives up and that is why he has been fantastic over these last few weeks.
“From day one, he’s a hardworking centre-forward and if he never scores a goal again, he’ll always give you a problem.
“He never gives you a minute’s rest.
“But you couple that with the fact he can get on the end of things and finish.
“Jack’s a willing runner and he got in behind and started causing them problems and that sort of threat upsets their defence. I don’t like running back towards my own goal and I’m sure their centrehalves don’t either.”
There was little sign of what was to come when in-form Blues took an early lead through Lukas Jutkiewicz but Derby were transformed after half-time, scoring twice in a quickfire blitz thanks to local lad Mason Bennett and Harry Wilson’s free-kick.
Birmingham’s 11-game unbeaten run was over, but defender Michael Morrison insisted: “I don’t think we will get too down about it.
“Yes, it’s frustrating to lose that unbeaten record but it’s about starting a new one.”
The club have a points deduction hanging over them but Morrison added: “The more points we get, the less to worry about, I suppose.”
DERBY: BIRMINGHAM: MOTM HARRY WILSON (DERBY)