by UpNorth »
30 Oct 2009 08:22
Daily Mail has picked up on the Chronic's interview with Hammond and deduced that Rodgers has two games to safe his job. Must admit Hammond seems to be sending out a clear warning that the Ipswich game is the deciding one.
Hammond: `Results MUST improve'
by Anthony Smith
Hard times: Royals boss Brendan Rodgers knows results must improve - or else.
ROYALS director of football Nick Hammond has stressed results still have to drastically improve despite the team's impressive performance against Leicester City.
Monday's slick display was arguably the best Reading have played this season and it eased some of the pressure on under-fire boss Brendan Rodgers.
But Royals failed to convert their chances and lost 1-0 following a classic smash-and-grab Foxes raid.
It was Reading's fourth defeat in a row and it leaves them marooned in the relegation zone ahead of a difficult trip to Coventry City this Saturday.
And Hammond warned that while Monday's performance was encouraging, it is victories they ultimately need to start climbing the table.
And, though he stopped short of saying it, it is wins that will ultimately save Rodgers' job.
Speaking exclusively to the Chronicle, Hammond said: "It was a much-improved performance and that was very, very important.
"We didn't have the rub of the green but we have to keep going and hope our luck will turn.
"We could easily have scored a few goals but the bottom line is we didn't and it is results that we will be judged on.
"It's one thing playing well, but results have to follow. Make no mistake this is a difficult position we are in and we need to start picking up wins, and quickly."
Reading have won just twice in the Championship this season and are among the lowest goalscorers in the Football League.
Rodgers was subjected to a volley of abuse during last week's humiliating 4-1 defeat at QPR when fans called for him to be sacked.
However, while there were murmurs of discontent during the Leicester defeat, the majority of supporters remained loyal right to the end.
Hammond explained: "Queens Park Rangers was a disappointing result and performance for us. We wanted to see an improvement on Monday and we did. That was very important.
"It's been a difficult period for the club in terms of results and Leicester was disappointing in terms of the manner of defeat.
"We deserved more than what we got from the game but the important thing was the improvement in performance because the previous couple of games were not good enough.
"It wasn't a great performance against Middlesbrough and it was the same when we went to West Brom and QPR when we didn't react well to a setback.
"But Monday was better and we have got to try and build on that and start climbing the table."
Royals chairman Sir John Madejski has declined to comment on Rodgers' position and Hammond also refused to be drawn on the manager's situation.
"We are where we are and we all know results have to improve," he would only say.
Reading plan to launch a detailed evaluation of the first third of the season following the crucial home game against bottom-of-the-table Ipswich Town on Saturday week.
"We're in a difficult situation but I think we can take comfort from the performance the other day," added Hammond.
"But we have another big game at Coventry on Saturday then we have Ipswich at home before another international break.
"We'll have played 16 games then and the break will give us a chance to take stock and have a closer look at the squad."
Daily Mail
Under-fire Reading boss Brendan Rodgers given two games to save his job as Royals board demands results
Rodgers is facing the sack only six months after replacing Steve Coppell following Reading's dismal start to the season of just two wins from 14 Championship games.
Royals' director of football Nicky Hammond said: 'We played well against Leicester on Monday and could easily have scored a few goals. The bottom line is we didn't and it is results we will be judged on.
'It is one thing playing well but results have to follow. Make no mistake this is a difficult position we are in and we need to start picking up wins, and quickly.
'We are where we are and we know results need to improve. We have a big game at Coventry on Saturday and then we have Ipswich before another international break.
'We will have played 16 games by then and the break will give us a chance to stake stock and have a closer look at the squad.'
