Adkins underway Dan Batty has no chance for this weekend but maybe next weekend. He’s on one of the treadmills now, he won’t make the weekend but hopefully he can join in training some part of the following week. He’s a good football player. Having said that had we taken our chances early in the game... You have to take them, they win you games. Changes coming I left Fraizer Campbell and Evandro out, Nouha Dicko and Chris Martin started the game. We had the opportunities but Fraiz and Evandro have done exceptionally, they’d started every game. They’ll be in big contention for the weekend. For me they’ve been exceptional in their work-rate. Chrissy and Nouha had an hour and we see where we are - it was Chris’ first game since March I think, he did well to get 90 minutes. They’ve had a full pre-season and are in great nick, I want them to be firing. Adkins on Martin's debut He was a threat, a handful. He needs to play games - that will go a long way to see where he’ll go in hte bigger picture. I believe we now have different threats and capabilities in the squad. Adkins on Burke's availability Burke came off at the end of the game before the international break with an injury, he hadn’t trained, only joined in on the Thursday. He played against Ipswich at right-back, it was physically demanding for Reece. His calf was tight, so Eric Lichaj came straight back in. Jackson is back, Todd Kane’s looking good for us. Adkins on Stewart It was his first start since New Years Day, a long time. He’s working extremely hard, a smashing young man, wanting to improve and he has a game under his belt now which is only going to benefit moving forward. We’ve talked a few scenarios before - he’s had a few injuries, one or two other situations but I must say though it hasn’t worked so far, it may do in the future. He’s doing everything he can, he’s conscientious about what he’s doing. Batty’s unavailability gives me the option for another game. Adkins on Milinkovic He’s got to keep working extremely hard. He understands the culture here. I went for a walk with him around the pitch, I do a lot of one-on-ones. He had to get himself to a level of fitness. Wherever you may have been before it’s irrelevant, you buy into it here. He’s willing to knuckle down. We’ve got some good players in our team. He’s got to earn a place into the team. We’d only started games with 14 players this season, w’eve tried to have that continuity. Just because you’ve signed doesn’t mean you are straight in. You have to graft. There are things he has to improve on. By his own admission from Instagram, he knows he has to work hard. Adkins on Reading Reading have always made me feel very welcome. They’re very good people. I’m looking forward to be going back. It was special times.
Dodgy google translate of the Milikovic Instagram post referenced above... milinkovic10 By waiting for my time I train hard every day. Last year my season to prove who I am. If I have to cash every day it does not matter, I will be even stronger when I return. I have too much rage in the stomach, soon I will do what I love most on a football field. God is great and sees everything. Patience and work is the fruit of success # milinkovic11
So on that approach if we signed Messi but he moped around the training ground Nigel wouldn't play him..... rightttttt. Henriksen must show more in training and serve Nigel his breakfest because thats exactly what he does all game.
Henriksen is competing with literally no one to start on Saturday. Milinkovic is unproven and has to compete with Bowen, Kane, Grosicki and Irvine for a place on the wing.
So reading between the lines, Milinkovic came here and thought he would waltz right into the first XI, sounds as if he hasn't put in 100% on the training ground
You can categorise all this into 3, urmm... categories. Jibberish. Stating the bleedin' obvious. Bollocks.
Can we please, please give 4-4-2 another go Have Kane and Bowen on the flanks, allow the to swap flanks to go between cutting inside and traditional wing play. Put Irvine in the middle, his passing is sharp, can tackle and also push on. Martin and Campbell could cause serious problems for defenders with there movement Let's go right at Reading
In the pre season training videos. I thought Milinkovic had put in one of the best treadmill v02 test times? They are now saying he’s not fit?
"I’d been there for five or six years and it had started to suck the life out of me." “I remember going down to Newland Avenue after the (Cardiff) game and every bar was full of fans in their Hull City gear. That was what it was all about. Do you know what I mean? It’s the fans that make the club. It’s just such a shame that it’s turned." David Meyler 21/09/2018
