LIAM MOORE has called on the fans to back the players after his team-mate Tyler Blackett was booed by sections of the Reading fans on Saturday.
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Blackett came on as a substitute in the 2-0 loss at Millwall on Saturday and a section of the home crowd turned on the defender after he conceded possession for the second Lions goal.
He was then subbed back off as the Royals limped to a fourth straight home league defeat.
And Moore admits it was tough to listen to.
“You look at it in terms of anybody in their jobs, they’re going to make mistakes and it’s not always going to go well,” he said.
“I think Tyler will agree it’s not exactly going the way he wants it to go at the minute but the jeers, they’re difficult for somebody to take, whatever job you’re in.
“I’d like to think that the fans can understand that he’s trying his hardest for the club.
“At this moment in time he’s not playing the way he wants to play but try to support us and don’t jump on individuals backs.
“I did feel for him. As players we hear it on the pitch.
“The one thing I will say is he’s strong mentally and I do expect him to come back from that stronger.”
He added: “He’s surprised me in training this week.
“Obviously after the game it was a very disappointing place to be in the dressing room.
“I had a look over to him, I had a quick conversation with him but I didn’t want to really bombard him too much to be honest.
“I’ve been through it myself when I was at Bristol, I’d been dragged off three or four times in a row at 45 minutes.
“As long as you’ve got strong people around you, you’ve got the right mentality, he’ll come back good and these last few weeks in training he seems focussed and I know the gaffer will give him a chance.
“If he produces in training and the next time he gets on the pitch if he produces the goods for us, it will all be forgotten about.
“It’s a very important time for him and the team as well.”
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Reading have just one win in their last 10 league matches and sit only six points clear of the relegation zone.
And things don’t get much easier with a trip to Tony Pulis’ play-off chasing Middlesbrough on Saturday.
“The thing is with Middlesbrough is they can do it both ways,” said Moore.
“They’ve got some good quality and we need to be prepared for whatever they’re going to give to us, be prepared for the battle.
“Not just that, whenever we get our chance the play, play and express ourselves in a way we know we can which we haven’t been doing so much recently.”
