Andre Bikey

[Archie's penalty]

Bikey targets new deal with Royals

Andre Bikey is confident he will earn an extension to his contract at Reading after successfully filling in for injured central defender Ibrahima Sonko.

Bikey is currently on a season-long loan spell from Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow.

But the Cameroon international’s long-term future with Royals remains in doubt.

Lokomotiv will only let him leave permanently for a fee and I understand they value him in the region of £1.5million.

Bikey, who has played his part in two successive clean sheets for Royals in the Premiership, said: “We haven’t spoken about next season for the time being, but in two or three months I will know what I will be doing next year – if I stay or not.

“But I am optimistic, I think all will be good and I will stay.

“We are doing well and we are winning matches.

“If it continues like that until the end of the season, I don’t think there is any reason why the manager would not keep me.â€

[RG30]

Good to see Bikey wants to stay and I hope the feeling's mutual from the club, if they piss around too long another Premiership side will steal him from under our noses which would be a blow.

[Royal Rother]

Man of the Peace Cup?

[brendywendy]

Man of the Peace Cup?

absolutely played a blinder in both games
really pleased for him
hes reallypushing on

[Behindu]

Man of the Peace Cup?

absolutely played a blinder in both games
really pleased for him
hes reallypushing on

He always looked to have the raw talent and if a combination of our coaching and his effort is turning him into a real contender than I think we will have made a smart signing.
Coppell's judgement in still taking Bikey despite Sweden could be one of the best decisions he's made !

[Coppelled Streets]

Sonko and Bikey would make a great pair at the back. Not only because because they're both f**king huge either!

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

He's looked so solid last few games. Sure he still makes mistakes, but he always gets himself out of trouble.

Another season or so acting as cover and with a lot of work on his passing and bit on his concentration we'll have a fine centre half.

Thought his positioning was excellent today, even towards the end of last season he was a bit all over the place but today he was always in the right areas.

Top class in the air today as well, don't remember him losing a header.

Doobs deserves a lot of credit, the job he's done since he's signed has been just what we needed and has made Hammond and Coppell look very smart again.

[Behindu]

So Bikey for CB rather than midfield ?

There is a vacancy in midfield and a strong ball winning midfielder releasing Harps to do the airy fairy stuff is just what we need...

[A1ndy]

So Bikey for CB rather than midfield ?

There is a vacancy in midfield and a strong ball winning midfielder releasing Harps to do the airy fairy stuff is just what we need...

After seeing Cisse play today I would play Cisse and Harper in the middle of the park. He looked very good, considering hes not been with us long.

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

He's not good enough on the ball for centre mid, no way. Cisse looks better imo. Still no better than Bryn or Harps.

I don't think Harper does enough damage to play in a more attacking role, passes sideways far too much. Plus he's great in the role he's occupied the last few seasons.

[Woodcote Royal]

I'm just pleased central midfield is no longer a closed shop and we look set to take a proper look at all our options.

It was one of the areas where we were regularly 2nd best last season and Bikey and Cisse could yet save this club a small fortune.

I think Bikey has more skill on the ball than many give him credit for and Sidwell hardly excelled in this department.

[Huntley & Palmer]

It's like a broken record

[Behindu]

We've been lucky for the past 3 years that we've had 2 young, athletic , skilful players who played well together. But at the same time I suspect a shakeup could be no bad thing (albeit one enforced by Sidwell moving on).
Perhaps the accusation that we will get 'found out' this season will be countered by us changing not only personnel in midfield but our style of play as well.
If that is the case then the Sidwell move will turn out to be a positive one for all !

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

While a combination of Harp with Bryn/Cisse/Bikey would defensively stronger than last season we would lose the attacking verve and penetration which was so key to our success last season.

I agree we were out muscled to a certain extent in some games last season, we need to replace Sidwell's attacking skills other than just building on the defensive ones. No point taking steps forward in one department just to takes ones back in another....

[papereyes]

We've been lucky for the past 3 years that we've had 2 young, athletic , skilful players who played well together. But at the same time I suspect a shakeup could be no bad thing (albeit one enforced by Sidwell moving on).
Perhaps the accusation that we will get 'found out' this season will be countered by us changing not only personnel in midfield but our style of play as well.
If that is the case then the Sidwell move will turn out to be a positive one for all !

or losing one of our best players will show up at some point during the season?

Who knows?

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

While a combination of Harp with Bryn/Cisse/Bikey would be defensively stronger than last season we would lose the attacking verve and penetration which was so key to our success last season.

I agree we were out muscled to a certain extent in some games last season, we need to replace Sidwell's attacking skills other than just building on the defensive ones. No point taking steps forward in one department just to takes ones back in another....

[Woodcote Royal]

It's like a broken record

No, it's an opinion you don't agree with, deal with it.

[Behindu]

While a combination of Harp with Bryn/Cisse/Bikey would be defensively stronger than last season we would lose the attacking verve and penetration which was so key to our success last season.

Much of our attacking penetration didn;t come from central midfield though...

If we have Convey and Little available for 30 games each, with Doyle and Lita feeding off them, then there won't be many teams with a better attack outside the top 4 or 5.

Stiffening the midfield to reduce goals conceded and give our attackers more of the ball would be a big step to a second successful campiagn IMHO.

[Woodcote Royal]

While a combination of Harp with Bryn/Cisse/Bikey would be defensively stronger than last season we would lose the attacking verve and penetration which was so key to our success last season.

Much of our attacking penetration didn;t come from central midfield though...

If we have Convey and Little available for 30 games each, with Doyle and Lita feeding off them, then there won't be many teams with a better attack outside the top 4 or 5.

Stiffening the midfield to reduce goals conceded and give our attackers more of the ball would be a big step to a second successful campiagn IMHO.

Indeed

Sidwell offered more in defence than attack (last season) whilst Gunnarsson had much the better strike rate so, another holding midfielder would not be a disaster.

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

While a combination of Harp with Bryn/Cisse/Bikey would be defensively stronger than last season we would lose the attacking verve and penetration which was so key to our success last season.

Much of our attacking penetration didn;t come from central midfield though...

If we have Convey and Little available for 30 games each, with Doyle and Lita feeding off them, then there won't be many teams with a better attack outside the top 4 or 5.

Stiffening the midfield to reduce goals conceded and give our attackers more of the ball would be a big step to a second successful campiagn IMHO.

Indeed

Sidwell offered more in defence than attack (last season) whilst Gunnarsson had much the better strike rate so, another holding midfielder would not be a disaster.

Why limit our options?

People started figuring out the way we play down the wings toward the end of last season. Teams got very tight to our wide men and stifled them out of matches. We need more attacking options from the centre of the park, not less.