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Reo-Coker Aiming to Lead Town Up the Table
Friday, 19th Oct 2012 12:04

New signing Nigel Reo-Coker has underlined his ambition to help lead Ipswich away from the Championship drop zone.

Second-bottom Town travel to Hull tomorrow with the 28-year-old midfielder in line for his debut as Paul Jewell’s men seek to tame the Tigers and claim only their second league win of the season.

A free agent after quitting Bolton following their relegation from the Premier League last season, Reo-Coker is looking to call on his previous experience of the Championship to help kick-start Ipswich’s season.

He said: “The most important thing was having the conversation with the manager. I believe in him and I have played in this league before. I said to him I was fortunate enough to have experience in this league from the age of 18 or 19.

“I know what it takes. I was captain of Wimbledon in the Championship at 19. I’ve watched Ipswich, I know what the manager’s about and they have some terrific players here.

"If you get the right mentality in the dressing room and the right run of results you can find yourself from being bottom to being in the top four.”

Reo-Coker, who has also played for West Ham and Aston Villa, admits he still has much to do before he is fully match fit.

He added: “It’s been a long time since I played and match fitness is what I’m lacking. I’m not going to lie about that. My fitness level is quite good but the game has developed so much that there’s certain things you can’t get unless you are playing games.

“In modern-day football it can take two or three games to get your rhythm but I know I haven’t got that time. I know that if I’m involved this week I need to hit the ground running.

“If that means I last for 60, 70, 80 minutes, and I’ve given my all, a team-mate can come on and complete the rest of the game. That’s all that matters.”

Reo-Coker also explained the thinking behind agreeing a three-month deal, admitting: “Basically, it’s a question of seeing how it goes.

“Will I stay longer? That’s still a while away and the main focus has to be on the games we have to play and putting points on the board. It’s about trying to win games and climb up the table.

“For me it’s not a personal thing, it’s about being professional. We’re all hired here to play football and win football matches, and that is my main concern and priority. That is what I’m focusing on.

“You’re only as good as your last performance. I have come here to win games but at the end of the day the manager picks the team and it’s his decision.

“I have come here to be part of a team and not just sit around and use it as a pre-season. I’ve come here to go full throttle.”


Photo: Action Images



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THAILAND_BLUE added 12:11 - Oct 19
Offer him a player manager role ME.
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levington added 12:13 - Oct 19
“I have come here to use it as a pre-season. It'll put me in the shop window.”
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Kesgraveblue57 added 12:24 - Oct 19
Quote:-“For me it's not a personal thing, it's about being professional. We're all hired here to play football and win football matches, and that is my main concern and priority. That is what I'm focusing on. At last words from a true professional nice to hear this from a Town player
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BudapestByBlimp added 12:26 - Oct 19
Let's hope he does well when he's here but I agree with Levington, he'll be hoping for a Premiership contract come January.
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suffolkpoker added 12:26 - Oct 19
im liking the noises he is making and sounds like a club captain. He is hopefully going to freshen this club up.

I can see us sticking a few past Hull tomorrow COYB
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muhrensleftfoot added 13:08 - Oct 19
On the face of it, a great signing. Right age, bags of Premiership experience, a leader. Real quality for the chamionship. But we mustn't get too eacited. He's here to get match fit, put in a few performances and hopefully get a Premiership club in January. Can't blame him, and hopefully he'll have helped us along the way
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SomershamBlue added 14:04 - Oct 19
Surely every player in the Championship must want to play in the Premiership.

Nothng wrong with that. It's called ambition.
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CambridgeBlue added 14:53 - Oct 19
He's clearly here to get himself match fit and in the shop window, I don't think we should be under any illusions about that. His chances of staying beyond the loan period are miniscule.

Double-edged sword to that. If he's wanting a Premiership contract, then he'll have to play out of his skin, and I suspect that once match fit, he'll be the standout player in any match. However, that may take the best part of a month, and then we've got him for two more. The only way he'll end up signing permanently is if he has a complete shocker and no-one else wants him.
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ericclacton added 15:17 - Oct 19
Yes, I think this player might just come up with the goods.
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SouperJim added 15:31 - Oct 19
It's hard not to be critical of this complete capitulation and return to short-term signings. However, you can't doubt NRC's quality and he could well make an important impact here. It's just a shame that if he does the chances of us holding on to him are slim at best.

Jewell out.
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StuartBrett8 added 15:49 - Oct 19
If he leaves us in a better position than he joined us in I'll be happy with that
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MattinLondon added 16:15 - Oct 19
He is a good player and of premier league standard. He is clearly putting himself in the shop window for a prmier league club to come in for him in January and I will be completly surprised if he stays until the end of the season.

I guess that whilst we have him here, that we enjoy his performances, and hope that the younger players like Hyam, Lawenson and Carson will learn a lot from him.
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SorrentoBlue added 17:56 - Oct 19
Great post ! Kesgraveblue57
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levington added 20:25 - Oct 19
How can a player who hasn't played since May be fit? How can he be better than players who have been training and playing since July and who know the team, manager and tactics do us any good?

Or is Jewell and Reo just trying to whing it?
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harlingblue added 23:24 - Oct 19
I would be pleased to have him giving some home truths to some our players, who have been a real let down. I would have him in for Martin, who should be sold, Chopra...sold.
Time for some more intellect.?
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Duncan added 00:41 - Oct 20
He certainly makes the right noises - a glimmer of hope for the game has come back!I really hope he gets off to a flyer, he can be what Bullard was for us when on loan the season before last - a player who stood out above all else on the pitch
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Infineteregress added 09:57 - Oct 20
Even if he is putting himself in the shop window, if he can score a few goals and be instrumental in fostering a winning mentality and getting us up the table (a la Bullard during his loan spell) then I'm not too fussed.
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