Rekik

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

What's his usual starting position?

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

What's his usual starting position?

He's a central-defender....

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Started the match thinking how happy I am when we blood youngsters in softer fixtures.

Finished thinking differently, but it wasn't anything rekik did.

Only disappointment for me was after hiding/keeping it simple all game he powers through on a 50/50 but got hacked before we got to see if he'd have a go.

[Sideshow Bob]

I'll say this: Watching rekik and kolo today made me appreciate nastasic even more. We've found a gem there.

[Ted Hughes]

I'll say this: Watching rekik and kolo today made me appreciate nastasic even more. We've found a gem there.

Their cf won almost every single header v Nastasic 2nd half. He was crap imo.

Rekik did well. For a kid who has only just turned 18 a few weeks ago, hardly ever playe 1st team football, after being out injured for quite some time, playing out of position, he really did himself no harm at all. He did look a bit slow at one point, when that bloke who was beating Nastasic in the air seemed to outpace him, but I think it was more down to Rekik not reacting & later on, he won a sprint v the same player easily.

He also won quite a few headers v the geezer who kept beating Nastasic, suggesting that he may be stronger in that area when he reaches the same age.

If he doesn't make it as a defender, I recon he has a decent chance as a def mid, as he is a better footballer than our other defenders.

[dazby]

It was encouraging. He didn't look out of place, and did the simple stuff properly.

I do wish we could be 3 up after 65 minutes against someone to give some of these young uns a bit more game time.

[john@staustell]

Only bluesince76 seems to have pointed out that he is a centre back. Whenever I've seen him play for us he's been sheer class, even when 16. Strong, fast and very classy on the ball at CB. As good a debut as could be expected out of position and he's the reason why Jolene is probably on his bike next week, with Nastasic and Rekik being our left CBs.

Amazing that some seek to criticise.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Only bluesince76 seems to have pointed out that he is a centre back. Whenever I've seen him play for us he's been sheer class, even when 16. Strong, fast and very classy on the ball at CB. As good a debut as could be expected out of position and he's the reason why Jolene is probably on his bike next week, with Nastasic and Rekik being our left CBs.

Amazing that some seek to criticise.

He is indeed a centre back although I believe he did his spell at Pompey as a left back and did well.I felt he did ok yesterday and was a little disappointed that the team didn't use him much when he was free on the left side as they might if it had been Aleks or Gael.

Also he had an early season injury this year which set him back a bit .He has fully recovered but I feel it has taken him a while to find his form again and,everything taken into account I felt he did ok yesterday.

[Crossie]

That he was nervous is a good thing, it means he cares.

No big deal with him just doing the left backs job and not much else. Solid performance, get the basics right then start to progress.

[1an3]

I'll say this: Watching rekik and kolo today made me appreciate nastasic even more. We've found a gem there.

At one point 2nd half, Reading were breaking down their left, Zab was struggling to get back, and Nastasic flew across to take ball + man into touch. Outstanding tackle, DeJong-esque.

I miss NDJ.

[Cocacolajojo1]

I thougt he did ok and I think its all that can be required from him at this point. Personally I love it youth players get a chance. Its all fresh, it's easy to forgive them when they make mistakes, basically they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I hope there's gonna be more of this in the coming years. It's been a bit slow on that front for a few years.

[ant london]

I said the thing about him looking slow after the game, don't know how much of that was him keeping his powder dry as he knew he has the pace, the other guy being very quick or him actually not being that fast...but other than that i thought he played well

[Tokyo Blue]

He is clearly a centre-half. I thought he did well considering it is a massive step up and he was out of position. I am very pleased for the lad and I hope there is much more to come from him.

[DoomMerchant]

What's his usual starting position?

Based upon his haircut I would guess he's a bottom. No judgement.

[Ted Hughes]

Just seen a replay of the Reading 'penalty' incident & Rekik was brilliant, never a pen & great covering. Fortunately for us, the ref failed to spot Nastasic for some reason sticking his fucking arm out & handling the ball on its way in, which deffo was.

We got away with one there.

[Dameerto]

Only bluesince76 seems to have pointed out that he is a centre back. Whenever I've seen him play for us he's been sheer class, even when 16. Strong, fast and very classy on the ball at CB. As good a debut as could be expected out of position and he's the reason why Jolene is probably on his bike next week, with Nastasic and Rekik being our left CBs.

Amazing that some seek to criticise.

I assumed everyone knew he was a central defender, which is why I mentioned wanting to see him in his favoured position earlier.

[Dameerto]

I'll say this: Watching rekik and kolo today made me appreciate nastasic even more. We've found a gem there.

At one point 2nd half, Reading were breaking down their left, Zab was struggling to get back, and Nastasic flew across to take ball + man into touch. Outstanding tackle, DeJong-esque.

I miss NDJ.

I saw that - Kolo gave him some encouragement for it just afterwards as well.

[mr_nool]

I wonder if he's not too short to have a career as a central defender.

He seems to be very comfortable with the ball, and he has good technique, so left back should be a good position. I don't agree with Ted's post that he's a better footballer than Nasty, though. I think Nasty is on par with him. He's technical as well, and has great awareness and can pick a pass.

[Dameerto]

I wonder if he's not too short to have a career as a central defender.

He seems to be very comfortable with the ball, and he has good technique, so left back should be a good position. I don't agree with Ted's post that he's a better footballer than Nasty, though. I think Nasty is on par with him. He's technical as well, and has great awareness and can pick a pass.

I don't think there's much in them in technical terms either, haven't seen as much of Rekik as Mr Boombastic though. I liked that bit of skill on the touchline where he kept the ball and used his strength and footwork to get away from one of their players - and received applause from the crowd for it. (I don't think his height is an issue in the slightest, by the way - I certainly dont get the impression that he's short)

[Ted Hughes]

I wonder if he's not too short to have a career as a central defender.

He seems to be very comfortable with the ball, and he has good technique, so left back should be a good position. I don't agree with Ted's post that he's a better footballer than Nasty, though. I think Nasty is on par with him. He's technical as well, and has great awareness and can pick a pass.

I don't think there's much in them in technical terms either, haven't seen as much of Rekik as Mr Boombastic though. I liked that bit of skill on the touchline where he kept the ball and used his strength and footwork to get away from one of their players - and received applause from the crowd for it. (I don't think his height is an issue in the slightest, by the way - I certainly dont get the impression that he's short)

He's about 6 ft but has a better jump & more body strength than Nastasic. Imo is a miles better footballer. Yet to be seen who will be the best defender. Both are very promising but neither are currently top 4 PL defenders.