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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ricky Charlesworth

Furious Reading fans block team bus and plea for manager to be sacked in ugly scenes

Angry Reading fans made their feelings well and truly known following another low point in the Royals' season.

The Championship side drew 0-0 away at relegation rivals Peterborough United on Wednesday - a result which intensifies their drop worries and piles the pressure on under-fire boss Veljko Paunovic.

Following the full-time whistle several hundreds travelling fans refused to leave their seats.

They could be heard chanting 'We want Pauno out' and 'We want our Reading back.'

After finally leaving the ground a portion of Reading fans then surrounded the team bus. Prior to its departure, defender Andy Yiadom went over to directly address some of the supporters.

Will Reading survive in the Championship? Let us know in the comments

Angry Reading supporters made their feelings known following the side's draw with Peterborough on Wednesday night (micah@m1871e/Twitter)

On a clip that has gone viral on social media, Yiadom tries to reason with the group.

After a short discussion Yiadom then steps back on the bus whilst the fans, surrounded by a heavy police and steward presence, continue to shout abuse at the other players and staff boarding the coach.

When the coach does eventually leave, a hefty number attempt to block it in before it eventually manages to pull away.

Reading's Andy Yiadom came over to speak with protesting fans who had surrounded the team coach (micah@m1871e/Twitter)

The result might have ended an eight-game losing streak for Reading but it merely papered over the cracks with the team still just two points above the relegation zone.

The Royals, who were docked six points earlier this season for a breach of financial rules, remain without a win in almost three months.

Paunovic's post-match interview with Sky Sports had to be conducted in the bowels of the Weston Homes Stadium rather than pitchside, due to the the volume of away fans chanting.

But they could even be heard as Paunovic was being grilled indors.

The Serbian said: "We know that what we need here is unity, togetherness and support. In very difficult conditions we managed the game. We had difficulties to get the ball in the final third.

"There is an obvious negativity around the club because of the results we've had.

"From the first day we've been dealing with those difficulties. When I came here, I knew it was going to happen in terms of the difficulties the club had in the past.

"This year, before the season started, I was told it's going to be a very hard season. That I was needed to help the team to carry the project forward.

"I was delighted, even though I knew it was going to be hard. People don't know but we were expecting that points deductions were going to happen and with the embargo.

"We also knew we had to bring players in later and who were not fit during the season.

"When most of the other teams were complete and were ready to compete, we had to deal with a lot of setbacks. But I stood up for the call and so far, I'm doing my best."

When quizzed on whether he was considering resigning, Paunovic simply responded: "I don't want to answer that question. I think I've said enough."

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