Brendan on Long, Bryn and more
Posted on: Mon 27 Jul 2009
Brendan a 4-0 victory in your second Swedish game, what was your assessment of the match?
It was a good exercise again. The opponents had good energy again, they were strong and committed but our capacity to pass the ball was very good. We've done a lot of work tactically on getting the ball back to allow us possession, so that, along with creation of chances and goalscoring, was very good. We scored four, could have had many more. In terms of the intensity of the group we're starting to see their growth and the confidence in the structure, so that was pleasing.
Shane Long got four goals, how did you think he played?
He's adapting to a new way of working, a new way of playing, and you could see today he can play in that role and play with a real good quality. He's not just a runner and goalscorer, he's been developing his football attributes as well. His hold-up play was good, his movement was excellent and in the final phase, which is about scoring goals, he was prolific. He scored four and maybe could have had more, I thought he was outstanding.
I thought Jem Karacan had a good game, playing at right back and out of his normal position.
Well I think that when teams see how we're going to play this year they will drop off. They'll pack midfield, so it's important your full backs can get forward. Both Chris Armstrong and Jem got forward very well. Jem is a player with great energy, his quality is good, he works hard on the ball and he always brings that to the team, he was very good.
Bignall and Noel Hunt shared a game after being out with injuries, how did they come through it?
Nicholas has a slight groin concern at the moment and if he goes over an hour it tightens up, so the idea was to give him an hour then introduce Noel, who has been working very hard and looking better. We just wanted the motivation of playing the game and his movement was good, his qualities were good and it was pleasing.
Brynjar Gunnarsson came on at half time, and I thought you could see the leadership he brings to the team, he's coming to the fore at the moment.
Yes. He's got great composure. He's an international player, he's got good experience and looks after himself perfectly. He leads the right life, doesn't spend his time doing stupid things. His concentration every day is outstanding, he's a big influence in the group. In terms of his footballing ability we're asking him to play and to create and he can do that. He's a big influence in the group, I speak openly with him and he's a good man.
Look for video highlights on the all-new Reading FC Player later today.
It was a good exercise again. The opponents had good energy again, they were strong and committed but our capacity to pass the ball was very good. We've done a lot of work tactically on getting the ball back to allow us possession, so that, along with creation of chances and goalscoring, was very good. We scored four, could have had many more. In terms of the intensity of the group we're starting to see their growth and the confidence in the structure, so that was pleasing.
Shane Long got four goals, how did you think he played?
He's adapting to a new way of working, a new way of playing, and you could see today he can play in that role and play with a real good quality. He's not just a runner and goalscorer, he's been developing his football attributes as well. His hold-up play was good, his movement was excellent and in the final phase, which is about scoring goals, he was prolific. He scored four and maybe could have had more, I thought he was outstanding.
I thought Jem Karacan had a good game, playing at right back and out of his normal position.
Well I think that when teams see how we're going to play this year they will drop off. They'll pack midfield, so it's important your full backs can get forward. Both Chris Armstrong and Jem got forward very well. Jem is a player with great energy, his quality is good, he works hard on the ball and he always brings that to the team, he was very good.
Bignall and Noel Hunt shared a game after being out with injuries, how did they come through it?
Nicholas has a slight groin concern at the moment and if he goes over an hour it tightens up, so the idea was to give him an hour then introduce Noel, who has been working very hard and looking better. We just wanted the motivation of playing the game and his movement was good, his qualities were good and it was pleasing.
Brynjar Gunnarsson came on at half time, and I thought you could see the leadership he brings to the team, he's coming to the fore at the moment.
Yes. He's got great composure. He's an international player, he's got good experience and looks after himself perfectly. He leads the right life, doesn't spend his time doing stupid things. His concentration every day is outstanding, he's a big influence in the group. In terms of his footballing ability we're asking him to play and to create and he can do that. He's a big influence in the group, I speak openly with him and he's a good man.
Look for video highlights on the all-new Reading FC Player later today.
Advertisement
