Royals back
MICHAEL MORRISON steered Reading’s promotion bid back on course, condemning relegation-threatened Rotherham to a fifth straight loss in the process.
The Royals defender secured the points for his side midway through the first half when he poked home from close range after Millers goalkeeper Viktor Johansson parried his initial header.
The result ended a run of two straight defeats for
Veljko Paunovic’s men and left them well-placed in fifth spot.
Paunovic said: “I’m very happy with the result and the performance too against a team with a peculiar style.
“Winning today gives us an important boost and a chance to build a new momentum.
“Last time we had guys crying but this time it’s a different emotion.
“This was probably the toughest game I’ve had since becoming manager of Reading.”
Genuine chances were scarce throughout but Reading always held the upper hand once Morrison fired them in front.
Paunovic was delighted with his players’ character, adding: “At this point in the season, playing fancy is wrong. We have to be ruthless
in execution and you can’t afford not to be.
“When you have a game to win, you win it.
“You do your job, and you execute it.
“This is what differentiates between teams who are successful or not.
“We’re in a good position but now face a big test for our mentality and the culture we are building.” You could not fault Rotherham’s commitment or desire but goals – that most precious commodity – are proving hard to come by.
This was their fourth successive 1-0 loss and boss Paul Warne’s misery was compounded by a hamstring injury to Clark Robertson which forced him off in the 15th minute. Warne said: creating chances but we’re “You are judged on what you just not taking them. do in the box and we’ve had “I just don’t think we are five defeats on the spin. taking our chances in the
“All by just one goal, but final third. We didn’t do it’s still five defeats and we enough to come away with have 15 games now to dig in anything.” and fight for survival. We are The Millers went close to a
ROTHERHAM: Johansson 6, Harding 6, A Macdonald 6, Robertson 6 (Wiles 15, 6), Olosunde 6, Wing 6 (Hirst 80, 6), S Macdonald 6 (Clarke 66, 7), Crooks 6, Giles 6 (Sadlier 66, 6), Ladapo 6 (Jozefzoon 80, 6), Smith 7. Subs not used: Blackman, Barlaser.
READING: Cabral 6, Yiadom 6, Morrison 8, Moore 6, Richards 6, Semedo 6, Laurent 6, Rinomhota 6 (Esteves 87, 6), Olise 7 (Holmes 90), Ejaria 6 (Mcintyre 76, 6), Joao 6. Subs not used: Southwood, Baldock, Aluko, Tetek, Puscas, Camara.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Michael Morrison: Scored at one end and kept Rotherham quiet at the other. REFEREE: David Coote 6. late equaliser when substitute Ben Wiles’ goalbound strike was deflected wide by Morrison.
But the ball skimmed agonisingly off the outside of the post.
Warne must now prepare his men for a huge relegation scrap at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.
The Millers boss added: “I’ve just heard it called a six-pointer but any time we play them is a massive game anyway.”
DANIEL FARKE warned his Norwich side Wycombe will make them pay if they fail to perform today.
Top against bottom may appear a mismatch on paper, but the Canaries boss (right) warned that the home side is not one to roll over.
In-form Norwich go into the Adams Park clash on the back of four straight wins as they close in on an instant Premier League return.
But Farke said: “Wycombe always want to bring their style on the pitch, try to bring their offence and I like this – I like this bravery.
“It is a sign of their fighting spirit that they go into their games with a lot of togetherness. It is fantastic what they are doing.
“I would like them to stay in this league because it is good to have these characters.”
Chairboys chief Gareth Ainsworth says his side will show no fear despite believing the Canaries are a cut above most of their promotionchasing rivals.
And they go into the game heartened by improved recent results, and the fact they pushed the Canaries in the reverse fixture.
Even though that Carrow Road clash resulted in a seventh consecutive defeat at the start of the season, Wycombe were unlucky to come away empty-handed. They showed they could compete with a side that was in the Premier League last season, and only succumbed to a lastminute free-kick.
Ainsworth said: “The league is as close as it has been for a while. There are four or five teams that are a notch above, and we’ve definitely got one of those teams coming to us.
“But we’re still confident we can win any game when we’re playing like we are.
“We’re close to having a fully fit squad and there’s real competition for places. It’s a nice place to be.”
Joe Jacobson, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Ryan Allsop are all close to full fitness and could be considered.
Norwich will be without playmaker Todd Cantwell while Onel Hernandez could also miss out. Ben Gibson is expected to return after injury.