Good interview and he seems relaxed within his first role as coach (helped by a good run of course). You’re right Goldie he does look laid back, but you know he’s on everything. What I do like is the way he talks about squad changes. MW would talk about it like it’s a problem - too many games, injuries, limited players etc. Whereas MB talks about it as opportunities, tactics, training, making the squad interchangeable, sensible rest time - it’s all upbeat. We, and the players, hear a different and more positive angle on using the squad. Some good interviews this week from MB and I’m liking what I see, and hear, from him. Seems like the players are liking it too. 3pts tonight lads - no quarter given to the fakes. C’mon onnnnn!!
Think this will be the toughest of the 3 games this week. I think Reading have the best attacking players of our 3 opponents on paper anyway. And that was before we lost Willock. But they have a lot of injuries too. Ejaria who had been out since the first game of the season also with a hamstring injury, made his comeback in their last game a draw with Norwich unfortunately for us. Let's hope the defense with Seny and Balogun in it, play as well as the last games since Balogun arrived, and someone can put a goal or 2 away. I note Dykes likes to play Reading so I hope he is the replacement for Chris, with Stefan in for Dozzeĺl
I think I totally underestimated Balogun when he came in. He was late in, under the radar, but he knows what MB wants and he has the ability, from what others have said, to lead at the back and keep the back line together and playing as MB wants. The defence have all been playing better and better with each game. I’m sure Dickie will be working hard in training seeing how difficult it will be to break up this defensive squad. All good. The foundation at the back we’ve been dreaming of for years!
Have made a reasonably late decision to attend tonight. Love the evening games as I find Saturday's hard to commit to. Can't wait. You Rs!!!
Please make some noise tonight, these that are going ! Lift the boys over the line, seriously worried about where the goals might come from now without Chris. If any chances fall to Robertsor Dykes just pray that they have to hit them 1st time and don't have to think about it. Of Dykes' last 14 goals, 13 have been 1st time finishes including headers, don't think Roberts has scored that many but his goal v Bristol was sliding in 1st time. Both look like they don't know what to do when they have time to think. Need Chair to have a big game tonight !
Good stat, that. Dykes gets inside his own head. I still think Beale will coach him into becoming a good championship player - not a clinical finisher, but a Bobby Zamora type that occupies the defenders.
I got a big You R'sss from a fellow fan this morning in Altea, Spain. Heading out for a few pints in Benidorm later. If we win and the beer at 1.80 euro a pint, god help my head in the morning .
Not to put a jinx on him or your team, but like I said on here a few months ago and a few of you were still a bit not sure about Beale, who has surely now proved himself, so far anyway. Is it too early to say that Balogun has proved himself? I suppose it is actually, but anyway, good luck tonight.
Just for the record, he can also play fantastically at right back, he covered there when we play against Celtic one time and he was probably man of the match. Rangers fans are still wanting Beale back as manager one day, but if he keeps on going like this, there is no way we could afford him, it will be one of the "big" EPL teams that will get him.
Haha I didn't mean he wouldn't be doing that and I genuinely hope he does, but if he does, then one of the so called big clubs will come in and get him and I don't just mean in England. The big continental teams would like him also because of his experience in Brazil.
