Kev Pleased With Goal Happy Side

Last updated : 30 August 2003 By Rob Cooper
Kevin Dillon
Kevin Dillon
Following Reading's 3-0 win at Wimbledon this afternoon, assistant manager Kevin Dillon was pleased to see the Royals rack up another victory and was delighted with the three further goals they managed to muster.

The Royals last season netted a disappointing sixty-one times in forty-six games.

Had it not been for the long periods Reading went without conceding goals last year they surely would have found themselves in trouble. But this season it seems to be all change as the side have already netted ten times in just five matches.

The introduction of new players has increased the club's attacking options and enabled the higher goal hauls.

Following today's decent 3-0 win over struggling Wimbledon, assistant boss Dillon hailed the club's upturn in offensive fortunes.

"One of our problems last year was scoring goals but I can't see it being a problem this year. We've got Murray, Hughesy, Sids, Fozzy, Tyson, Goats and so on so there are plenty of attacking options there! We just need Harps to chip in now and then! He was quality today though!

"Today we had a lot of players who put in performance that were a seven or eight out of 10, and there were a couple of nines as well. We've had five different scorers this season and I was pleased Hughesy scored because I missed his celebrations!"

Ex-Man City forward Shaun Goater has quickly found his feet in front of goal, scoring four times in his first five games for the club. Yet the veteran has been finding the net without performing to his potential. A lack of match fitness has certainly stifled his displays, preventing them from being even more impressive.

"Shaun Goater had his best game of the season, along with a lot of others. He looked fit and sharp and took his goals well," added Dillon, who was standing in for Alan Pardew.

Despite the apparent rejuvenation of the attackers, Nicky Forster is still to score his first league goal of the season. Top scorer last year, the 29-year-old has once again impressed but continues to seek that elusive first of the campaign.

"I felt sorry for Fozzy because no matter how hard he tried he couldn't score today! He must have run over a black cat this morning!" joked Kevin Dillon.

"Pards said to him that if he doesn't score it's won't not bother him because he terrorises defences and draws people in. Shaun has got four goals off the back of him."

The assistant boss explained that Alan Pardew's decision to skip the press conference had nothing to do with the rumours linking him with the vacant West Ham manager's position, however the speculation continues to grow.