BLUNDER BOY ADAM OFF MOCK THE WEAK; CHAMPIONSHIP.

READING 1 SHEFF UTD 3

By ANN GRIPPER

READING'S Australian keeper Adam Federici was so devastated by his fumble against Sheffield United his team-mates could not bring themselves to mock him about the cricket.

Federici failed to deal with Jamie Ward's routine effort, and slammed the ground in frustration.

"I'm absolutely devastated," admitted Federici. "It hasn't been a good day for the Aussies.

"It was a bad mistake from myself, obviously, and apologies to everyone. I've said my apologies to the team.

"I've never done that before in my life.

"The ball did move but there's just no excuse. It came through bodies but it's just come off my forearm and gone in.

"I didn't get any banter about the cricket after the game because they saw how depressed I was."

New Reading boss Brendan Rodgers readily admits this will be a season of transition after five departures, but at least new boy Matthew Mills headed their first Championship goal this season after 283 minutes.

United levelled when Ched Evans lashed in a low cross-shot for Stephen Quinn to turn in at the back post.

Then came the moment Federici will relive in his nightmares, Ward's shot from the edge of the box skimming off the keeper's arm as he failed to get his body behind it.

There was nothing the keeper could do about United's third though, David Cotterill's swerving strike flying into the top corner as the home fans chorused "Where's the money gone?" Blades fans can look ahead with far more optimism, and boss Kevin Blackwell said: "There has been a gradual improvement, better movement of the ball and better passing.

"In the end though we will only be gauged by the results."

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BAD DAY Reading keeper Adam Federici