We're immensely impressed ...

  • by Matthew O'Greel
  • Saturday, 1st September 2007

Alan Curbishley praises his side in the wake of the 3-0 drubbing of Reading this afternoon ...

Considering what happened to us here last year we didn't remind the players too much about it because you want to be positive, but obviously we knew.

Give credit to Reading, they forced the issue and put us under a lot of pressure but we defended great - and that was the basis for the result today. The back four and Robert Green got their bodies in the way of everything when they had to.

Lots of people have spoken about the business we've done in the summer and I've gone to great lengths to say how pleased I am. We've bought established players in but unfortunately a few of them have got injured. But we've bought players of quality in at the right prices. Everyone seems to forget that we let a few players go as well so we balanced the books somewhat.

Craig Bellamy is one we've brought in, obviously, and he's got that ability as we know - and we've been delighted with him. Contrary to speculation a couple of weeks ago we've not had a minute's problem with him, and we're immensely impressed at what a good player he is.

Nine wins from our last 13 league games? We're proud at what we've done; I think it's gone unnoticed a little bit. But last year was last year, and we worked hard in pre-season.

No disrespect to the boys that have been out there today, because it's a fantastic result for us, but we have been hit by injuries so the squad has been used to the full. I'm really pleased for some of them today because they've shown they can step up to the plate.

Dean Ashton? I've been saying to everybody that he's not 100% right yet. But you can see the touch is there and he just needs football. We've got to be careful with him - he was disappointed to come off because I think they both sensed goals. But it was the sensible thing to do.

We've now got a couple more weeks to get some more work in with him and we'll see how we go in two weeks time when we play Middlesbrough.

Pace up front? We have got some pace - and a bit more on the treatment table! It was a big blow losing Kieron Dyer this week - add that to Scotty Parker, Julien Faubert and Freddy Ljungberg and it's a lot of players missing.

But we've worked hard and the Chairman's done well. I patted him on the back last night because he's brought another couple in - because we had to with the injuries we've got.

Nobby Solano came in with Henri Camara; I haven't even seen them yet as it was all done on the phone. But I'm glad they've come to the club, and I'm sure they've enjoyed the result today.

Steve Coppell - Reading

We were flawed in one particular aspect of the game which was when we were attacking and putting men in the box, we looked so vulnerable on the rebound. Every time their defenders got a headed clearance in it seemed to go to their players, and then invariably we ended up defending on the edge of our own box.

One of their goals came from our corner, one came from a crossing situation; the first goal was a great striker by Bellamy but again we lost posession in midfield. we had opportunities in the second half but if you're vulnerable when you're attacking you've got a huge problem.

This is a difficult league for teams of our size and stature, competing against teams such as West Ham. Net-wise they haven't spent a great deal this year but certainly in the open market they've spent a lot. This week I've made the decision to have faith and confidence in my squad - and one result isn't going to make me question that.

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