Royals comments rile Jewell

Derby County boss Paul Jewell has accused Reading of disrespect ahead of Sunday's meeting of the two strugglers.

Jewell is angry at Reading assistant manager Kevin Dillon's claims that his side should expect to beat the Rams at Pride Park on the final day of the season.

Steve Coppell's number two claimed: "If we can't beat Derby, it will be hard to take."

The Royals need to pick up three points and hope other results go their way at the foot of the table to avoid joining Derby in the Championship next season.

"Kevin Dillon's comments lack tact," fumed Jewell.

"You would think Reading had been playing Champions League all these seasons instead of down in the Championship and the second division where Derby and Wigan also came from.

"At Derby this year we've been sneered at, we've been laughed at, we've been ridiculed and I can accept it after the season we've had, but for Reading to say things like that is not right.

"People can have an opinion but it's the way you put your opinion across.

"I think Kevin Dillon might have been quite right to think it but to say it was quite wrong.

"It is something I would never do - make a comment about someone else's team unless it's positive."