Nick Blackman

[Binfield Royal]

I was Shane Longs biggest critic. He couldn't control a ball, first touch was awful, didn't know where the goal was, then, out of nowhere, he's oxf*rd brilliant, cant miss, glides past defenders and a year after being our top scorer and first name on the team sheet, he's worth 6 million quid (12 million later on).

So, if Nick Blackman can turn a corner like Shane Long did, then brilliant, I will be a very happy Reading supporter.

But as for him thinking he's already there and has nothing to prove - sorry matey but you have. Score 15 goals or better this season and you will have made your point. Football fans love a winner, regardless of whether they are a nice human being or not - ask any Liverpool fan if they would have Suarez back - I don't think you'll find many who wouldn't.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Looks like he's starting to prove all you doubters wrong. Fair play to him. Hope he keeps it up.

[genome]

Who knows, maybe he read this thread and it inspired him.

[WoodleyRoyal]

Looks like he's starting to prove all you doubters wrong. Fair play to him. Hope he keeps it up.

I thought he had nothing to prove

[Royal Rother]

Blackman >>> Pog

[CountryRoyal]

You better believe he scores goals, it's Blackman you knoooowwwwww

[Steve_Upper_West]

Voted NO...... enough said

That vote was prior to the start of the season........ happy to say I would not be voting NO now. He looked a different player when I saw him at Colchester and seems to be going from strength to strength.... long may it continue

[RustyRoyal]

Voted yes before the beginning of the season... Feeling smug now

[Dick Habbin's hairdo]

Well, well, well....

I went to Crawley and Colchester and thought that Blackman looked by far our liveliest attacking threat in both games..... but that also came with a big disclaimer: his decision making in rubbish, utter pants.... in fact, a big curley shit.

If he could only get his head up and be aware of what is happening around him.... and improve his first touch.

But, strikers and strikers and he's one who's not afraid to have a pop.... and he's got a great left peg on him.

One swallow does not make a summer - or even a Tuesday night away at Rovrum - but with service and space, he has the pace and the intuition. JUST GET YOUR HEAD UP!

[Pepe the Horseman]

It's still only August, so let's not get carried away. But it's certainly promising.

[Lower West]

Seems to be putting the effort in in training. The freekick today was no fluke.

[loyalroyal4life]

What I have always liked about him is he clearly is not afraid to shoot from wherever, need more of that confidence throughout the team

Hope he keeps the form up, who would have thought before season started blackman could end up our top scorer!

[Ian Royal]

What I have always liked about him is he clearly is not afraid to shoot from wherever, need more of that confidence throughout the team

Hope he keeps the form up, who would have thought before season started blackman could end up our top scorer!

After 7 games? Anyone I imagine.

[TBM]

I've always liked Blackman

[Super Kevin Bremner!]

I've always liked Blackmen

[brighton_royal]

Looks like he's starting to prove all you doubters wrong. Fair play to him. Hope he keeps it up.

[Forty]

I'd be delighted to be proved wrong ...

[Platypuss]

Seems to be putting the effort in in training. The freekick today was no fluke.

They certainly carry much more of a threat than Norwood's efforts. Hope he takes all the shooting chance kicks from now on.

[janesdaddy]

In the away kit launch video (on August 4th: https://youtu.be/8orLFM3krXA?t=5m55s) , Garath McCleary and Michael Hector both highlighted Nick Blackman as the strongest and most skillful Reading player, which struck me as odd at the time since I've never rated Blackman (or Akpan, who has left now). They obviously know him a lot better than any of us, I'm sure, and it is good to see that his hard work in training is paying off. I hope his scoring streak continues like it has started.

[Hoop Blah]

I didn't go to Brentford but from what I've seen of him this season he's playing no differently than last season but he's managed to find the back of the net a few times. I wouldn't say he's proved anyone wrong as yet.

He has got a history of being a good penalty taker so it's good that he's had a chance to stake a claim for that role. We need someone reliable from the spot and he seems to have the balls or technique for it.