Burns injury

[Snowflake Royal]

Looked nasty and like he'd be out for some time. Which with O'Connor out is a worry, especially with the defence struggling.

But... could this be a blessing in disguise given our defensive woes. Can't say I've seen it, but Dorsett is supposed to be one of the quickest sprinters at the club. He played CB in a couple of the cup games alongside Stickland.

Could Dorsett solve a problem? He's big and strong, and with some pace, maybe he can be the piece that solves that ball over the top/in behind we've struggled with. And with Williams alongside him he'd had a quality partner who reads the game well.

Obviously no one ever wishes and injury on a player, but sometimes someone steps up and shows you something you've been missing.

I don’t see anything changing if Stickland plays instead of Burns, he's also struggled this season. But maybe Dorsett can be the key we need to cut out some errors and turn the GD in our favour.

[Orion1871]

Looked nasty and like he'd be out for some time. Which with O'Connor out is a worry, especially with the defence struggling.

But... could this be a blessing in disguise given our defensive woes. Can't say I've seen it, but Dorsett is supposed to be one of the quickest printers at the club. He played CB in a couple of the cup games alongside Stickland.

Could Dorsett solve a problem? He's big and strong, and with some pace, maybe he can be the piece that solves that ball over the top/in behind we've struggled with. And with Williams alongside him he'd had a quality partner who reads the game well.

Obviously no one ever wishes and injury on a player, but sometimes someone steps up and shows you something you've been missing.

I don’t see anything changing if Stickland plays instead of Burns, he's also struggled this season. But maybe Dorsett can be the key we need to cut out some errors and turn the GD in our favour.

Can he work in the ticket office as well?

[Hound]

I think the official were suggesting O Connor might be back for Orient? Didn’t listen to the interview tbf

But year Dorsett would be worth a go if not. Not Stickland

[Sutekh]

I think the official were suggesting O Connor might be back for Orient? Didn’t listen to the interview tbf

But year Dorsett would be worth a go if not. Not Stickland

I can’t see O’Connor being up to match speed even if he is fit.

[Snowflake Royal]

Risky rushing O'Connor back, and he doesn’t have a lot of pace. But the experience and quality of him and Williams should give us a strong defence.

O'Connor being fit is the ideal.

[morganb]

Some how missed this - what happened with Burns?

Also there was a one off comment on Twitter about Camara hobbling down the tunnel at the end of the game. Anyone know anything about this?

[Snowflake Royal]

Some how missed this - what happened with Burns?

Also there was a one off comment on Twitter about Camara hobbling down the tunnel at the end of the game. Anyone know anything about this?

Burns looked to have done something nasty to his knee falling in the box. They stretched it out and he carried on without the phsyio, but in the last few minutes he could barely stand, let alone run.

Camara had some sort of knock to a leg that left him limping. That seemed a bit more like an impact injury than something more serious to me, but he had just had a quick turnaround from flying Internationally.

Either could be quite bad and months out, or be more impact/cramp and turnout fine, but I'd place a small wager on Burns being out for at least 3 weeks, maybe months.

[Royalwaster]

Looked like cramp to me to be honest but might be wrong

[Royal Ginger]

Did he run it under a cold tap?

[Millsy]

Agree with the sentiment of your post Ian.

Of course injuries very sad and we wish him the best, but to me despite a lot of good play he's also been quite a liability too. Even against Barnsley just before they scored their firs (I think) his non clearance straight to their player on the edge of our box built up the pressure that lead to the goal.

Totally agree about others being given the chance. I like Dorsett. Perhaps he'll come back to some decent competition unless we are obliged to play him contractually.

[windermereROYAL]

https://www.royals.org/forum/viewtopic. ... 4&start=40

[Snowflake Royal]

https://www.royals.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=192254&start=40

It's not about the injury, it's about the potential opportunity and how to respond to it.

[South Coast Royal]

O'Connor does seem to be falling into the category of the longer the player is out the better they become in the eyes of the fans.
I am yet to be convinced by him but we will see .

The good thing is that Williams has settled in well and quickly.
Dorsett is very, very left-footed so would have to be the left-sided centre back and watching Williams, although he has played on the left with Burns ,he does look to be two-footed so a combination with Dorsett could work especially as Dorsett appears to be plenty quick enough(at least physically, if not mentally) to be more of the covering centre-back than the one making the first aerial challenges.

It does seem as though Stickland has been quickly written off after one bad game but he is young and keen and presumably a bit of a leader having been handed the captaincy the other week.

[Stranded]

O'Connor does seem to be falling into the category of the longer the player is out the better they become in the eyes of the fans.
I am yet to be convinced by him but we will see .

The good thing is that Williams has settled in well and quickly.
Dorsett is very, very left-footed so would have to be the left-sided centre back and watching Williams, although he has played on the left with Burns ,he does look to be two-footed so a combination with Dorsett could work especially as Dorsett appears to be plenty quick enough(at least physically, if not mentally) to be more of the covering centre-back than the one making the first aerial challenges.

It does seem as though Stickland has been quickly written off after one bad game but he is young and keen and presumably a bit of a leader having been handed the captaincy the other week.

Re O'Connor - how much have any of us seen of him - given he is yet to play a minute in a Reading shirt. Fact is, he was one of the highest rated defenders in the division last season, so he clearly has something about him - hopefully we see that once fit.

[South Coast Royal]

O'Connor does seem to be falling into the category of the longer the player is out the better they become in the eyes of the fans.
I am yet to be convinced by him but we will see .

The good thing is that Williams has settled in well and quickly.
Dorsett is very, very left-footed so would have to be the left-sided centre back and watching Williams, although he has played on the left with Burns ,he does look to be two-footed so a combination with Dorsett could work especially as Dorsett appears to be plenty quick enough(at least physically, if not mentally) to be more of the covering centre-back than the one making the first aerial challenges.

It does seem as though Stickland has been quickly written off after one bad game but he is young and keen and presumably a bit of a leader having been handed the captaincy the other week.

Re O'Connor - how much have any of us seen of him - given he is yet to play a minute in a Reading shirt. Fact is, he was one of the highest rated defenders in the division last season, so he clearly has something about him - hopefully we see that once fit.

He played in the final friendly 4-0 thrashing v Pompey.
This was a comment from our resident major poster and expert:-

"Wing should not be playing CB to get Burns and O'Connor out of jail because they're awol or using a zimmer frame. He's supposed to be a our playmaker. And yet he was often Burn's defensive partner."
This was one of many postings commenting how slow he was

O'Connor is clearly slow but looks strong and aggressive (11 yellows last season) so hopefully he will be good enough for us but my point was that many posters are making the big assumption that he will be a rock in our defence.
Everything crossed that he will be as our defence hasn't looked great this season so far.

[Snowflake Royal]

O'Connor does seem to be falling into the category of the longer the player is out the better they become in the eyes of the fans.
I am yet to be convinced by him but we will see .

The good thing is that Williams has settled in well and quickly.
Dorsett is very, very left-footed so would have to be the left-sided centre back and watching Williams, although he has played on the left with Burns ,he does look to be two-footed so a combination with Dorsett could work especially as Dorsett appears to be plenty quick enough(at least physically, if not mentally) to be more of the covering centre-back than the one making the first aerial challenges.

It does seem as though Stickland has been quickly written off after one bad game but he is young and keen and presumably a bit of a leader having been handed the captaincy the other week.

Re O'Connor - how much have any of us seen of him - given he is yet to play a minute in a Reading shirt. Fact is, he was one of the highest rated defenders in the division last season, so he clearly has something about him - hopefully we see that once fit.

Well, I'd have seen him twice for Orient against us last season. Plus Spurs, Pompey and I believe Gillingham, though struggling to check the line up for that.

He's clearly a good defender. But he lacks a little pace, which would be fine alongside someone quick, but could be a weakness in our defence. Would hope between them he and Williams could mitigate that with experience and positioning.

[Hound]

O'Connor does seem to be falling into the category of the longer the player is out the better they become in the eyes of the fans.
I am yet to be convinced by him but we will see .

The good thing is that Williams has settled in well and quickly.
Dorsett is very, very left-footed so would have to be the left-sided centre back and watching Williams, although he has played on the left with Burns ,he does look to be two-footed so a combination with Dorsett could work especially as Dorsett appears to be plenty quick enough(at least physically, if not mentally) to be more of the covering centre-back than the one making the first aerial challenges.

It does seem as though Stickland has been quickly written off after one bad game but he is young and keen and presumably a bit of a leader having been handed the captaincy the other week.

Re O'Connor - how much have any of us seen of him - given he is yet to play a minute in a Reading shirt. Fact is, he was one of the highest rated defenders in the division last season, so he clearly has something about him - hopefully we see that once fit.

Well, I'd have seen him twice for Orient against us last season. Plus Spurs, Pompey and I believe Gillingham, though struggling to check the line up for that.

He's clearly a good defender. But he lacks a little pace, which would be fine alongside someone quick, but could be a weakness in our defence. Would hope between them he and Williams could mitigate that with experience and positioning.

Must have been memorable if you forgot which team he played for last season

[South Coast Royal]

Re O'Connor - how much have any of us seen of him - given he is yet to play a minute in a Reading shirt. Fact is, he was one of the highest rated defenders in the division last season, so he clearly has something about him - hopefully we see that once fit.

Well, I'd have seen him twice for Orient against us last season. Plus Spurs, Pompey and I believe Gillingham, though struggling to check the line up for that.

He's clearly a good defender. But he lacks a little pace, which would be fine alongside someone quick, but could be a weakness in our defence. Would hope between them he and Williams could mitigate that with experience and positioning.

Must have been memorable if you forgot which team he played for last season

You were too quick for me Hound (unlike O'Connor?) as I was still checking that he hadn't spent time at Orient.
It is always good to out pedant a pedant, well done from many other posters..

[Snowflake Royal]

Re O'Connor - how much have any of us seen of him - given he is yet to play a minute in a Reading shirt. Fact is, he was one of the highest rated defenders in the division last season, so he clearly has something about him - hopefully we see that once fit.

Well, I'd have seen him twice for Orient against us last season. Plus Spurs, Pompey and I believe Gillingham, though struggling to check the line up for that.

He's clearly a good defender. But he lacks a little pace, which would be fine alongside someone quick, but could be a weakness in our defence. Would hope between them he and Williams could mitigate that with experience and positioning.

Must have been memorable if you forgot which team he played for last season

Lol, you know I just have this absolute blind spot with Orient and Lincoln. I am terminally incapable of talking about the right one, just keep substituting them for each other.

Thanks for the correction. You obviously get the point though.

[Clyde1998]

Looked nasty and like he'd be out for some time. Which with O'Connor out is a worry, especially with the defence struggling.

But... could this be a blessing in disguise given our defensive woes. Can't say I've seen it, but Dorsett is supposed to be one of the quickest sprinters at the club. He played CB in a couple of the cup games alongside Stickland.

Could Dorsett solve a problem? He's big and strong, and with some pace, maybe he can be the piece that solves that ball over the top/in behind we've struggled with. And with Williams alongside him he'd had a quality partner who reads the game well.

Obviously no one ever wishes and injury on a player, but sometimes someone steps up and shows you something you've been missing.

I don’t see anything changing if Stickland plays instead of Burns, he's also struggled this season. But maybe Dorsett can be the key we need to cut out some errors and turn the GD in our favour.

I think it's a big opportunity for whoever comes in to lay down a marker. Based on what I've seen this season, I'd prefer Dorsett to play centre-back than Stickland. It would be interesting to see him play along side a more experienced player at centre-back, because (as you mention) he's got the potential attributes to play well there for us.