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 BMAC SAYS LET'S GET BACK TO THE BUSINESS ON THE FIELDAFTER what has been something a frantic fortnight for him off the field, Royals manager Brian McDermott is determined that he and his squad will now get matchday action back into focus. There are some key games coming up, starting with Bristol City at the Mad Stad today. And although he won't point the finger at all the takeover shenanigans in the boardroom as an excuse for last week's setback against Hull, he is happy that everything is now "out there". He told the club website: "There's no way Hull deserved to win that game - nobody can tell me that. They came for a draw, but we didn't do enough. We have to pass the ball better, that's something we have to work on. We have to control the games more and create more chances. There was a strange atmosphere at the ground, a lot of talk, a lot of rumours, now it's all out there and it's really, really important to get back to our business." Read his latest comments. Wisely, he's not expecting City to be anything like a pushover in the M4 derby - because they are one of the most improved sides in the division since the Royals' 3-2 win there earlier in the season. Meanwhile, as the closing of the transfer window looms, and in the wake of Jimmy Kebe re-signing, McDermott has stressed how important it is that the Royals keep their best players. 
 RUSSIAN REVOLUTION ROLLS ON WITH TWO NEW SIGNINGSWITH just a few days remaining to the closing of the January transfer window, the Royals have made a couple of positive moves, signing Tomasz Cywka from Derby County and Jason Roberts from Blackburn. Cywka is a 23-year-old Polish midfielder who has already made his mark at the Mad Stad this season, scoring for Derby in the 2-2 draw. He comes on a free transfer and has a six-month deal, with the option for Reading to keep him if he succeeds where he apparently did not at Derby. Roberts, the experienced 34-year-old, has hardly figured at Blackburn this season and was widely expected to come to Reading on loan. However, he has been released by Rovers' manager Steve Kean - a former Royals coach - and has signed an 18-month contract, with the fee not revealed. The club website has this story about Cywka's signing and also two stories about Roberts, this about his signing and this about his impressive career. Roberts goes straight into the squad for Saturday's match against Bristol City, while Cywka may be given more time to bed in. Two more names in the frame as possible Royals signings are Brentford defender Karleigh Osborne and Dinamo Moscow's vastly-experienced Bosnian midfielder Zvjezdan Misimović. This week wouldn't be complete without a signing with a Russian link, would it!  JUST LIKE THAT, MALI MAGICIAN IS NEW ROYALS' FIRST 'CAPTURE'DESPITE the undertones of caution amid the optimism of the fans about the Russian investment said to be heading Reading FC's way, the first noticeable effect has been a positive one - Jimmy Kebe has signed his new contract. Until the weekend, the Mali Magician looked a dead cert to be heading for Leicester or West Ham, chasing a financial deal he apparently could not get at Reading. In effect, he'd gone, so to get him re-signed until the summer of 2014 is equivalent to a new signing. It's said he had a change of heart and agreed the final deal which was offered to him by the Royals - though a cynical view might suggest saying that is a PR ploy by the club to avoid a flood of improved wage requests from others in the squad. Kebe later told the club website he decided to stay out of respect to Brian McDermott and because the club is like "a big family". The announcement about Kebe coincided with a first public appearance by Chris Samuelson, the man who might, in 2014, succeed Sir John Madejski as chairman. At a joint press conference, Mr Samuelson, who represents the UK interests of Russian businessman Anton Zingarevich, confirmed that his Thames Sports Investment organisation would pay £25million for a controlling 51percent stake in Reading FC. Both he and SJM remained totally upbeat, expecting a smooth transition through to completion of the deal in March. These were the key points from the Press conference. 
 BOWDEN RETURNS TO GIVE IRISH A BOOST AGAINST SCARLETSAFTER their disappointing exit from the Heineken Cup, London Irish resume their challenge for the LV=Cup this evening when they visit Scarlets. The good news for the Exiles is that the sorely-missed Dan Bowden (pictured) will return from injury at fly half when the action gets under way at Parc Y Scarlets (6.30pm). Bowden will partner Daren Allinson at half back with Marland Yarde and Kieran Low starting on the wing and at blindside flanker respectively after also recovering from injury. Coach Toby Booth said: “Scarlets are enjoying a good season, so we will have to be at our best to get a result." TEAM: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Steven Shingler, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 Daniel Bowden, 9 Darren Allinson, 1 Clarke Dermody (Captain), 2 Brian Blaney, 3 Paulica Ion, 4 Nick Kennedy, 5 Bryn Evans, 6 Kieran Low, 7 David Sisi, 8 Richard Thorpe. Replacements: 16 Pete Austin, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Faan Rautenbach, 19 Bob Casey, 20 Kieran Roche, 21 Guy Armitage, 22 Shontayne Hape, 23 Ross Samson.  PLANNING THE CRAIC HAS IRISH GUYS SMILING AGAINAFTER the disappointment of elimination from the Heineken European Cup, London Irish have tried to keep spirits up this week by finalising plans for this year's St Patrick's Party game. The 2012 opponents on Sunday 25th March, will be Leicester Tigers - and there could hardly be a tougher test than the reigning Aviva Premiership champions. It's always the biggest home attendance of the Exiles' season, with usually around 20,000 fans packing the Mad Stad. The attraction is not only the rugby, but the festival which surrounds the game, with supporters encouraged to come in fancy dress - this year the fan adjudged to be best-dressed will announce the team out before the game. And as usual there is top class music before and after the game. The Exiles' favourite band, the BibleCode Sundays, will perform on the pitch before the game and on the stage in the village after the game. The Paul Bowen Band and The Reels will also play in the village with entertainment for all the family from midday. TICKET DETAILS.  UNI HISTORICAL FILM SEASON SORTS FACT FROM FICTIONHOW do film-makers capture the past for the big screen? Is it possible to be historically accurate whilst engaging with a modern day audience? These are just two of the questions to be posed during the inaugural historical film season at the University of Reading. In collaboration with Reading Film Theatre, the Department of History is set to showcase four thought-provoking, historical films from a range of genres, beginning with Kenneth Branagh’s powerful adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Henry V on Wednesday 1 February. Then over the coming weeks, the public can enjoy the 2006 adaptation of The Magic Flute, Julian Temple’s The Filth and the Fury and Gus Van Sant’s Milk (see picture). Organiser Dr Emma Vickers, from the University’s Department of History, said: “Our aim is to open a dialogue between film, historians and the general public, exploring the relationship between film and how history has been depicted for public viewing. Each screening will begin with an introduction from one of our leading academics, where we will discuss the film’s historical context, how history has been captured for a general audience and give reflections on the historical accuracy of the film." CLICK FOR FULL STORY >> ticket, and contact details.  HOTELS IN READING - IF you need a hotel room in Reading, the UK - or anywhere in the world - our discount booking service is the answer. Click here for Reading Guide's own link to LateRooms.com®. Availability and prices are updated daily, the prices per room not per person, and there's no booking fee. NOTE: If you make future bookings please do so from this link.
  ZOE SETS UP MUSIC GIG FOR TEENAGE CANCER CHARITYTHE trendy Walkabout bar in Reading Town Centre is usually busy, especially on a Saturday night - but on the first Saturday of next month (4th) the Aussie hospitality joint will be rocking for very good reason. The "Music for a Cause" night will raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The event is being organised by Zoe Ansell, a final year Reading University student. Zoe, 21, has always been an avid fundraiser but after her 14-year-old cousin, Andre, lost his battle with Cancer last year, Zoe was determined to do as much as she could to help others in a similar plight. Since then she has raised more than £1000 in a Sky Dive for Teenage Cancer Trust and held a number of other fundraisers. Her event in Reading will feature music from up and coming local singer/songwriters, including Zoe herself and singer Bear Jones, recently tipped as one of Berkshire’s hottest new talents for 2012. Zoe said: "The Teenage Cancer Trust is such an amazing charity and not enough people realise how important the work that they do is. Andre was a patient on the Trust ward at University College London Hospital and as a result met JLS and the whole Tottenham Hotspur football team. As well as supporting him and his family, TCT helped him feel not just like a cancer patient, but like a teenager again." CLICK FOR FULL STORY >> and contact details.  SHORT TERM PAIN, LONG TERM GAIN IN STATION HILLTHE major building and roadworks project which has closed Station Hill in Reading has added a further frustrating element to the already largely-incomprehensible town centre road system. However, those involved in the scheme are confident that once drivers are used to the new infrastructure, inconvenience will be minimised. The affected area is immediately to the west of the station where cars and buses are now banned until mid-2013 while Network Rail continues with its £850m rebuilding project of the whole station area. Eventually there will be a new road interchange as part of the £12m spend for that immediate vicinity. Meanwhile pedestrians and cyclists can still access Station Hill. Bus services which previously parked outside the station (see picture) have relocated to the recently-refurbished former bus station opposite in Garrard Street, and the underground drop-off car park on the east side, by the Apex Plaza, has had its opening hours extended to operate seven days a week, closing at 23.00, instead of the present 21.30.  CRITICISM OF POLICE AFTER WHITLEY DOG ATTACKS CONTINUEWHITLEY Mum Sharon Adams has criticised police for what she claims is their lack of action in dealing with two dangerous dogs which have attacked her, and other people, in a park at Long Barn Lane. Writing to Reading Guide, Sharon (pictured) said: "In October last year a lady walking in the park was attacked by two Rottweilers, and apparently their owner was given a warning to keep them on leads. On 30th November I was attacked at the same spot. Both dogs were off leads and bit into my leg and arm leaving me scarred for life. For weeks after that I kept well clear of the park. Eventually I thought I had to face my fears, and went back there. I thought there was no way the owner would let those dogs there again off their leads after the attacks - but I was wrong. As I walked a few steps into the park I saw the same dogs running around uncontrolled. I rushed back home and called the police, but they let the owner off with another warning. I don't think they are taking this seriously - a child could get killed." CLICK FOR FULL STORY >>. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
