Bikey - Can he change?

[Stranded]

He didn't get booked or sent of which is a start I guess.

He's got better the more he's played but personally I still don't think he's got what it takes as he's too slow and ponderous.

I'd hope that this summer Coppell can attract better quality players to make Bikey surplus to requirements.

That's where I stand with Bikey. If he is the best option available to us this summer then great sign him. I don't think he will be though.

[The 17 Bus]

Any player can change, so far I have not seen much from Bikey, he does seem to look disinterested at times, perhaps there is something we do not know about.

I would love to see him stay if he can add to the squad, still dont think CB is best place for him tho.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

still dont think CB is best place for him tho.

Agreed.

saturday he displayed a good range of passing and some excellent ball control when playing it out of defense. I think he'd be better as a defensive midfielder myself

[brendywendy]

great defending too on many occasions, just the one mistake all game against a team with the pace and movement of arsenal, thats pretty good isnt it?

[Harps stay sharp]

The difference between BK and Sonks.

Sonks will attempt to get to the ball first before the striker has a chance, either with his head or one of his long legs.

BK allows the striker to control the ball and turn, then he make his challenge. He did this most notably against Rooney when Rooney took it past BK only for BK to make a brilliant goal saving tackle.

On Saturday a let Clichy go past him but he didn't have the pace to get back at him and ended up in a tangle of legs as Clichy kept his body between BK and the ball.

Personally I prefer the Sonko 'take no prisoners' approach!

[Hoop Blah]

Personally I prefer the Sonko 'take no prisoners' approach!

A good defender knows when the time is right to use either approach.

I still see Bikey as Reading's answer to Titus Bramble, he'll play well for long periods but make enough mistakes to more than outweigh the good spells.

[Royal Rother]

I don't know.... In the last few games Bikey has defended brilliantly against some of the best attacking players in the world, made very few mistakes yet still gets criticised. Lita has done bugger all except score one fantatsic goal and lose control of the ball virtually every time an opportunity presented itself, yet people are still wetting themselves over him, game after game.

Funny old game.

FWIW I think Bikey is thinking very hard about his game and looks like he is improving with every match. I'll be very disappointed if there isn't a place for him next season. Love to see him get a game in midfield some time.

Ferdinand looked very classy against us last week, yet he was at fault for Kitson's goal and he didn't have a whole series of World Class attackers running full pelt towards him the whole game. Defenders make mistakes - even the very best, whatever the opposition! Give Bikey a chance for goodness sake.

[SpaceCruiser]

Lita's job is to score goals. Bikey's job is to defend. That's how simple it is, thicky.

[Royal Rother]

I really don't know what to say to that.

Except mumble something about Frimmers and papereyes being right about university and stand up respectively.

[Garrincha]

We'd be better off bringing back Martin Hicks than sticking with Bikey!

[SpaceCruiser]

I really don't know what to say to that.

Except mumble something about Frimmers and papereyes being right about university and stand up respectively.

Did you really take my comment seriously? I never take you seriously because you continue to berate Lita when he's done a fantastic job so far. I mean, he is the top scorer!

[Henleyensian]

I don't know.... In the last few games Bikey has defended brilliantly against some of the best attacking players in the world, made very few mistakes yet still gets criticised. Lita has done bugger all except score one fantatsic goal and lose control of the ball virtually every time an opportunity presented itself, yet people are still wetting themselves over him, game after game.

Funny old game.

FWIW I think Bikey is thinking very hard about his game and looks like he is improving with every match. I'll be very disappointed if there isn't a place for him next season. Love to see him get a game in midfield some time.

I agree with every word. Bikey has been great in midfield when he has played there for us. He is very young yet, and the alternatives (Sodje and Duberry) are older and probably no quicker than Bikey. I would like to see him stay as he has a lot to learn and seems to be keen to as well.

[cmonurz]

I really don't know what to say to that.

Except mumble something about Frimmers and papereyes being right about university and stand up respectively.

Did you really take my comment seriously? I never take you seriously because you continue to berate Lita when he's done a fantastic job so far. I mean, he is the top scorer!

You have continued to berate Henry despite his goals. Same difference?

[royalsteve]

Earlier this season I saw many comparisons betwen Sonko, in the 2004-2004 season, and Bikey. Both raw talents who. given the training and advice from Coppell and the boys would soon be invaluable players to us.

My concern with Bikey though is that his first reaction to a difficult situation is to pull the player back. I've lost count at the number of times Beeks has opted to grab an opponents arm rather than force them out wide. Neither are blessed with blinding pace, but I think at least Sonks had the speed of thought to compensate.

Whilst not wanting to write Bikey off at such an early stage, will his lack of speed and/or judgment ultimately be his failing?

I agree, but he still has the tendency to not get close enough to the attacker, his positioning isnt always that good and he does make rash challenges - against man u he just looked as though he would get sent off.....but he is still very young - only 21 and he is getting better - defintely one for the future.

[royalsteve]

I don't know.... In the last few games Bikey has defended brilliantly against some of the best attacking players in the world, made very few mistakes yet still gets criticised. Lita has done bugger all except score one fantatsic goal and lose control of the ball virtually every time an opportunity presented itself, yet people are still wetting themselves over him, game after game.

Funny old game.

FWIW I think Bikey is thinking very hard about his game and looks like he is improving with every match. I'll be very disappointed if there isn't a place for him next season. Love to see him get a game in midfield some time.

Ferdinand looked very classy against us last week, yet he was at fault for Kitson's goal and he didn't have a whole series of World Class attackers running full pelt towards him the whole game. Defenders make mistakes - even the very best, whatever the opposition! Give Bikey a chance for goodness sake.

dont agree, thought ferdinand had a bad game against us last week.....you are talking crap re: Lita.....he puts in a heck of alot of running, holds up and scores goals....he does need to improve his first touch though agree with that...Lita is young too you know. Thought Kitson played a blinder aginat Man u...won almost every header, play and distribution were brilliant.

[Dirk Gently]

He's young, impetuous, and over-eager to do well.

I'm sure he can learn to chillax a bit and stop the rushes of blood to the head - but I think that's really all the problem is.

[royalsteve]

We'd be better off bringing back Martin Hicks than sticking with Bikey!

just as well you arent a footy manager......even an 80 year old grandmother would outpace Hicks!!

[royalsteve]

is it me or is the clock on your forum server incorrect.....apparently my last post was at 17:04.......which given its now 16:09 is quite some feat!

[Dirk Gently]

is it me or is the clock on your forum server incorrect.....apparently my last post was at 17:04.......which given its now 16:09 is quite some feat!

Time zone in your profile settings

[brendywendy]

Earlier this season I saw many comparisons betwen Sonko, in the 2004-2004 season, and Bikey. Both raw talents who. given the training and advice from Coppell and the boys would soon be invaluable players to us.

My concern with Bikey though is that his first reaction to a difficult situation is to pull the player back. I've lost count at the number of times Beeks has opted to grab an opponents arm rather than force them out wide. Neither are blessed with blinding pace, but I think at least Sonks had the speed of thought to compensate.

Whilst not wanting to write Bikey off at such an early stage, will his lack of speed and/or judgment ultimately be his failing?

I agree, but he still has the tendency to not get close enough to the attacker, his positioning isnt always that good and he does make rash challenges - against man u he just looked as though he would get sent off.....but he is still very young - only 21 and he is getting better - defintely one for the future.

i have said the same things in the past about sonko
and sonko still makes rash challenges, often