Good another signing from lower league, in right age bracket to develop and sell on in a few years..... Up the R's
Thanks Ellers...it is great that we seem to totally agree on the really important stuff...the RRRs You are so right about Reading, I do HOPE we are running our club sensibly, but I KNOW that they are not. The announcement of a new manager before the old one had left, the high price they are playing for players that do not perform. You are right it is that Kia bloke again, he must be shafting so many clubs. I do not want to see any clubs go under, but there seem to be so many who really must be on the brink
I do like the business we're conducting - young players who have proved themselves at a level just below the championship (Dickie in L1, Dyke in the SPL) and who want to prove themselves. Even if these transfers don't work out (which we really need them to!) we are fishing in the right ponds, and credit to the club for also strengthening in the right areas. Hopefully one or two more to come, but I'm guessing loans/freebies to cover up front and at CB rather than spending more £.
Rob Dickie seems to be a great signing. Finally we have a mobile and strong ball playing Centre-Back signed on a long term 4 year contract. I just wonder if our preferred formation will be with three centre-backs or a classical flat four defence.. Anyway, I think this is a great buy and achievement. Well done to all!
Three centre backs? TBH I'll be happy if we at last have one decent one in Dickie. Our inability to deal with set pieces has been the number one source of frustration and failure in the past couple of years and while you can only speculate what might have happened if our creative players and goal-scorers had had a solid defence behind them I certainly lost count of the number of times heads dropped as we conceded yet another headed goal. Assuming Dickie has the wherewithal we need at least one other that has decent positioning and heading ability at the back.
Looks a good signing (and a fee ‘that could rise to £1.8m’; so much less than put out originally). Their player of the year last year, which is often a good sign. Some good comments on his growth as a leader last season as well. Oh how we need that at the back. Still feel our defence is not a big enough improvement to deal with our huge defensive shortfalls last season. Good to see we are, apparently, taking a stance over Manning/BOS and contracts - sign or we will be forced to sell you. Needs to be done. And we will need cover if/when they leave.
Rob Dickie made more interceptions (91) and completed more passes (1715) than any other defender in League One last season (inc. playoffs).