Andre Bikey - what do you reckon?

[Royal Rother]

I have always liked him, and feel he has been very unfortunate not to have had a real run in the team.

Today's performance encapsulated everything about him really. He takes risks on occasions, he can look a little clumsy at times, but he is exceptionally strong, very good at nicking the ball in a challenge, and he's a proper footballer given the chance.

To me he was our best midfielder today, running with the ball, creating things from nothing where everyone else in the team would just have passed. There is something about him that can lift a team.

He is refreshing to watch and I really really hope that he gets a chance now, presumably at Sonko's expense, although as I've said many times, I still think he could do a job in midfield.

Whatever, he shows more promise in that position than either Cisse or Fae (no disrespect to them).

PS I didn't see the first half....

[Arch]

First half he wasn't great, to be honest. Wayward passes, unnecessary dicking around. much better in the second half and I agree about him being our best midfielder. He drove forward in the way we needed Cisse to. I don't think Cisse had a bad game - he got well involved at both ends - but in the middle he just totally lacks dynamism.

[Platypuss]

He's off to the ANC along with Sonko (and Fae), so not sure how he can "get a chance".

I really hope he doesn't get a run in the team when he returns - it would mean that our team had done well without him.

[chilipepper91]

To me he was our best midfielder today

Which is impressive, seeing as he was playing at centre back. It shows how anonymous our midfield was - Bikey made 2 or 3 marauding runs which gave us good opportunities. Sure, he made a couple of wayward long ball passes, but then, so did the rest of the team.

For me, today consolidated my view that Bikey is a midfielder, not a defender.

[PEARCEY]

I dont think Coppell rates him as he has never given him a decent run in the side and it wont happen now with the ANC coming up.
He could have been given a chance ahead of Gunnar some weeks ago and it didn't happen.
I also think central defence has to be strengthened in January as we are leaking goals at a grim rate..if that does happen then it will take him further down the pecking order. Shame really as he deserves his chance.

[From Despair To Where?]

Bikey must start. He's a bit naive in the challenge but Portsmouth are a big, powerful side and he wasn't bullied, giving as good as he got in a way Sonko just hasn't been done in the last few games. He's a much, much better pure footballer as well which gives us more options for playing the ball out from the back. Obvious comparisons have been made with Sonko but I see him as a more natural long term replacement for Ivar.


Don't know if it's a confidence or fitness issue with Sonko at the moment but he looks a worse player than the when he first joined us. I'm beginning to think we desparately need to buy another centre back in the transfer window.

[Diddyroyal]

I have always liked him, and feel he has been very unfortunate not to have had a real run in the team.

Today's performance encapsulated everything about him really. He takes risks on occasions, he can look a little clumsy at times, but he is exceptionally strong, very good at nicking the ball in a challenge, and he's a proper footballer given the chance.

To me he was our best midfielder today, running with the ball, creating things from nothing where everyone else in the team would just have passed. There is something about him that can lift a team.

He is refreshing to watch and I really really hope that he gets a chance now, presumably at Sonko's expense, although as I've said many times, I still think he could do a job in midfield.

Whatever, he shows more promise in that position than either Cisse or Fae (no disrespect to them).

PS I didn't see the first half....

agree with every thing there

[Readingfanman]

I have always liked him, and feel he has been very unfortunate not to have had a real run in the team.

Today's performance encapsulated everything about him really. He takes risks on occasions, he can look a little clumsy at times, but he is exceptionally strong, very good at nicking the ball in a challenge, and he's a proper footballer given the chance.

To me he was our best midfielder today, running with the ball, creating things from nothing where everyone else in the team would just have passed. There is something about him that can lift a team.

He is refreshing to watch and I really really hope that he gets a chance now, presumably at Sonko's expense, although as I've said many times, I still think he could do a job in midfield.

Whatever, he shows more promise in that position than either Cisse or Fae (no disrespect to them).

PS I didn't see the first half....

agree with every thing there

What they both said.

[Arch]

I dont think Coppell rates

I don;t think that's true. Coppell's comments about Bikey always suggest that he thinks he has massive potential. SC's conservatism leads him to go with what has worked for him in the past until he simply can't do that anymore. To me, that's his biggest weakness.

[Alan Partridge]

Bikey started poorly - never easy coming off the bench into the team but he grew as the game went on. Thankfully Sonko can't be selected for the next games (s)? so Bikey or Duberry have to come in.

[floyd__streete]

I didn't see the first half....

Which shows.

[PEARCEY]

Bikey started poorly - never easy coming off the bench into the team but he grew as the game went on. Thankfully Sonko can't be selected for the next games (s)? so Bikey or Duberry have to come in.

I bet its Duberry

[Alan Partridge]

Bikey started poorly - never easy coming off the bench into the team but he grew as the game went on. Thankfully Sonko can't be selected for the next games (s)? so Bikey or Duberry have to come in.

I bet its Duberry

I don't care anymore. It's got to be 1 of them and either will be better than the current person who has been playing in that position.

[PEARCEY]

Personally I would rather see Bikey start. Either way the defence has to be strengthened over the next few weeks...we do have some very difficult games coming up and I was hoping we could get at least a point from today.

[Platypuss]

Personally I would rather see Bikey start. Either way the defence has to be strengthened over the next few weeks...we do have some very difficult games coming up and I was hoping we could get at least a point from today.

What start? Forget the Spurs Cup game - the team we put out for that will be meaningless in terms of our premiership future.

After that, forget Bikey and Sonko for a month.

[PEARCEY]

Personally I would rather see Bikey start. Either way the defence has to be strengthened over the next few weeks...we do have some very difficult games coming up and I was hoping we could get at least a point from today.

What start? Forget the Spurs Cup game - the team we put out for that will be meaningless in terms of our premiership future.

After that, forget Bikey and Sonko for a month.

I agree....but given the choice of Bikey Or Duberry I would chose the former. As I have said elsewhere I cannot see Bikey starting for a long time...because of the ANC. He should have had a run in the side by now IMO

[ESTIM8R]

The away game last year at Villa he played a great game defending Carew one on one. He managed to keep him off the ball on several occasions.
As said previously he is a big, strong lad and needs first team football. Perhaps he can pick up a game or two while away and come back ready to claim his spot.

[rg6royal]

Good player

[John Madejski's Wallet]

I've been boring my mates with my desire to see Bikey in midfield all season.

After today's performance they were all saying the same. Some fantastic, powerful running through the middle in the 2nd half and he is very confident on the ball and seems very good at getting space

[Southbank Old Boy]

Bikey looks good at times but as a defender its all about consistently being in the right place at the right time and doing the right thing.

Bikey is no improvement on Sonko (although maybe not the Sonko of the last week) because he will get caught out too many times and isn't quite sharp enough in the head yet to be a reliable centre half.

Can he play as a midfield enforcer? I'm not convinced to be honest. Against a side like Pompey he may have got away with it but is less mobile than Cisse is and against a slicker more dynamic and fluid side than Pompey I think he'd get passed around far too easily.