NO LONGER A RUMOUR - Bikey signs for Burnley

[Barry the bird boggler]

Personally the loss of Bikey is not a problem to my mind. He could be real class but really needs to be stepping up to that mark now which means regular 1st team football.

I still think he's better as a defensive midfielder than a central defender which I presumke is where he'd play under Clodagh if he wasn't suspended (again!).

Therefore if we got 2.5 million for him I'd take it as Mills and Pearce should be comfortable as the defenders of choice until Ivar the Engine is back and Cisse can do a job their really well (as well as Bikey IMO) IF the opposition plays more of a passing game than lumping it about.

Would use the money though to bring in a good solid central defender with experience - so that'll be another young loanee then (Jack Cork?)

[Hoop Blah]

HB, I'm counting 2 games as the Chelsea game was more than a normal friendly.

His weaknesses to me have always been in possession, passing and awareness. Bit of a scared rabbit. He now looks far more confident on the ball and able to receive and pass without losing composure.

Early days it may be but he lookes twice the player he was last season - (although I know he reportedly had some excellent games away from home, I didn't see those).

Fair enough RR.

He may be finally adjusting to the pace of the game and finally feel settled at the club.

I think the change in atmosphere and the fresh start will have been a massive boost to a lot of the players who struggled last season.

[Platypuss]

HB, I'm counting 2 games as the Chelsea game was more than a normal friendly.

And if he'd been poor you would have said "it was only a friendly"! Don't come over all Snowball on us, you're better han that.

As it happens we looked very vulnerable to the higher ball v Chelsea - it would be naive to assume that having a less than aerially dominant centre half didn't contribute in some way.

[Ian Royal]

HB, I'm counting 2 games as the Chelsea game was more than a normal friendly.

And if he'd been poor you would have said "it was only a friendly"! Don't come over all Snowball on us, you're better han that.

As it happens we looked very vulnerable to the higher ball v Chelsea - it would be naive to assume that having a less than aerially dominant centre half didn't contribute in some way.

Federici not coming and claiming surely contributed to that a lot. Possibly more than Cisse's ability in the air.

Cisse has only really had one bad game in defence from what I remember, and that was against Villa. The whole team was poor defensively that day too.

He's played well against Utd, Cardiff, Chelsea and now Forest at least. He is easily good enough as 4th choice ahead of Bikey. He's certainly more dependable. At least IMO.

[Royalwaster]

HB, I'm counting 2 games as the Chelsea game was more than a normal friendly.

And if he'd been poor you would have said "it was only a friendly"! Don't come over all Snowball on us, you're better han that.

As it happens we looked very vulnerable to the higher ball v Chelsea - it would be naive to assume that having a less than aerially dominant centre half didn't contribute in some way.

Federici not coming and claiming surely contributed to that a lot. Possibly more than Cisse's ability in the air.

Cisse has only really had one bad game in defence from what I remember, and that was against Villa. The whole team was poor defensively that day too.

He's played well against Utd, Cardiff, Chelsea and now Forest at least. He is easily good enough as 4th choice ahead of Bikey. He's certainly more dependable. At least IMO.

I only think his lack of heading ability is suspect - however, if he plays alongside someone who can head the ball, it's no problem; it's the same with Ingi who is equally more of a good player on the floor than in the air. Pearce I'd say is better but still not dominant like Sonko and Bikey are/were. From what I've heard Mills is supposed to be that kind of player ...

[Royal Rother]

HB, I'm counting 2 games as the Chelsea game was more than a normal friendly.

And if he'd been poor you would have said "it was only a friendly"! Don't come over all Snowball on us, you're better han that.

As it happens we looked very vulnerable to the higher ball v Chelsea - it would be naive to assume that having a less than aerially dominant centre half didn't contribute in some way.

Look, all I'm saying is that in 2 games this season he looks like a better player with the ball at his feet. He was always a (minimum) 2 touch player in the past (hence got caught in possession as he dilly-dallied) now he is stroking it about with confidence which fills me with an optimism for his future that I never had before.

Take your point about the lack of dominance in the air against Chelsea though, but I suppose as Ian points out, Federici's uncertainty may have contributed to that.

[southbank1871]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sp ... r/?ref=rss

More on Burnley rumour

[winchester_royal]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Burnley-to-complete-deal-for-Reading-defender-today-article112079.html

Could be completed in next 24 hours.

[Stooper]

http://www.clarets-mad.co.uk/news/loadn ... &id=457232

Bikey yet to discuss terms, clubs have only just reached an agreement.

[Wycombe Royal]

Not particularly bothered. Nearly £3m for a player who has a suspect temperament and who has never been a regular in our starting lineup is a good deal for us.

[Alan Partridge]

Think it would be a shame, Bikey has age on his side and the raw footballing skills to play at a much better club in the Premiership than Burnley. Whether he's got the skills inside is head I don't know!

He could really be an outstanding defender, if he had Pearce or Ingimarsson's mindset then he already would be.

[dean horrix legend]

Think it would be a shame, Bikey has age on his side and the raw footballing skills to play at a much better club in the Premiership than Burnley. Whether he's got the skills inside is head I don't know!

He could really be an outstanding defender, if he had Pearce or Ingimarsson's mindset then he already would be.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

[Hugo Boss]

Agree 100%. Will be a real shame to see Bikey go IMO. Has got a hell of a lot to offer and could become a real Reading hero.

[Wycombe Royal]

In three years with us there has been no improvement in his temperament and that is his major undoing. He's never been a regular and won't be this season so it would be stupid not to cash in. Another non-starting high earner off the wage bill and a fair bit of cash is great business for us.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Still our best defender to be honest.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Still our best defender to be honest.

Agree with this. He is our best defender.

But if he goes, he goes. Kind of getting used to it now.

Would still be a massive shame though, he has massive talent and potential for me.

His temprament is suspect, but not that often really. Just that when he goes, he just completely spaz's out. only happenned 3/4 times in 3 years?

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Still our best defender to be honest.

Agree with this. He is our best defender.

But if he goes, he goes. Kind of getting used to it now.

Would still be a massive shame though, he has massive talent and potential for me.

His temprament is suspect, but not that often really. Just that when he goes, he just completely spaz's out. only happenned 3/4 times in 3 years?

Stephen Hunt's temprament was suspect as well.

[TBM]

Still our best defender to be honest.

I feel more confident with Mills and Pearce than i do with Bikey

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Still our best defender to be honest.

I feel more confident with Mills and Pearce than i do with Bikey

Bikey's strength gives him a massive advantage over most of the strikers at this level.

[TBM]

Still our best defender to be honest.

I feel more confident with Mills and Pearce than i do with Bikey

Bikey's strength gives him a massive advantage over most of the strikers at this level.

Maybe but strength isn't everything.....Mills is a strong lad, wait until you see the best of him