Salako Blasts Supporters

Last updated : 04 February 2003 By Rob Cooper
John Salako
Salako (right) in action against Wrexham
Veteran former England ace John Salako admitted he has not been happy recently as the Madejski Stadium crowd have been getting on his back.

Salako has put in some poor displays this season, leading 'supporters' to boo him when he enters the playing field.

"I'm not very happy at the moment. I've not been for a while because of some of the crowd's reaction. It's something I've never come across before in my career. It's one of those things I've just got to accept," admitted Salako speaking to the Reading Evening Post.

"To be honest I accept responsibility as obviously things have not gone as well for myself performance-wise."

The 33-year-old has been dropped from the side by manager Alan Pardew on several occasions this season, a decision that John wholeheartedly supports. However, after a two goal haul against Burnley Salako is hoping to get back into the first team fold.

He added: "I said to Pards that I felt I deserved to come out of the side and I think it has been good for me to sit it out. Tyson and Rougier came in and did well and there is strong competition. But what has been disappointing for me is how some fans have reacted.

“I know the level I want to be playing at and I’ve not achieved that and it has been disappointing. But I feel fresh now and hopefully the performance against Burnley can be the start of good things and I can finish the season strongly.

"Maybe I've let myself down and let things slip. Before Saturday I’d scored just the one goal which is disappointing. When it comes to crosses and work-rate I don't think I can do any more, but maybe because of where I've come from and what I've done, people's expectations are high..

"I think the team's performances have been better away from home so there would be no better way to get the fans singing my name again than by getting one or two goals on Monday night."

Salako's has not been the only player suffering from a dip in form in recent weeks. A series of displays below the levels Reading fans have come to expect have seen the Royals go on a losing streak.

With a third of the season remaining Royals winger Salako is confident that the Royals are capable of maintaining their place in the Play-Offs.

"It's a tough league. We're going to lose a few games. Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth and Leicester are all good sides. I don't think there are any outstanding sides. If you don't play well, as Burnley showed, then you will get beaten.

"It's just important now we stay focused and believe in ourselves. If we do that then we can be in the mix at the end."