THERE WAS big news this week for Reading fans with Jaap Stam announced as the new manager, signing a two-year deal at the club.
Jaap previously spent two years as the assistant coach of Ajax in the Dutch Eredivisie and this will be his first managerial position.
However, he is no stranger to English football.
He only won the Premier league three times, secured an FA Cup medal and of course was part of the famous Manchester United treble-winning side in ‘99.
A true United legend in our household and being massive United fans this news has been greatly received, mostly from my dad.
Yes, I am from London but aren’t we all?
My dad has already made me promise to hunt him down to get his shirt signed for him.
So Jaap, if you’re reading this have your sharpie at the ready!
Let’s hope he’s a little more friendly off the pitch than he ever was on it.
Depending on your nationality, the Euros couldn’t have got off to a better start for some.
And don’t we know it.
The Welsh contingent at Reading Women have made themselves heard this week throughout our training sessions.
Annoyingly, we had to play them (on Thursday) and were relying on the national side to hopefully shut them up and wipe the smug looks off their faces for us.
Unsure of who’s bright idea this was but we all decided to watch the match together as a team event.
So, just a heads up for when the season comes back round and we haven’t got a fully fit squad, you’ll know the reason why.
Initially I thought it could be Belgium’s year but having seen their opening game against Italy, I’m starting to doubt myself. – Which is very unlike me, may I add!
With their squad; a proven goal scorer in Romelu Lukaku, a solid backline with a pairing of Tottenham centre halves and not forgetting the player of the year in 2014/15, Eden Hazard, it’s about time they performed on the big stage.
Fellaini has not been mentioned for obvious reasons.
I suppose it is hard to look past Germany and everyone knows what happened in France in 1998.
Although I was only five so I doubt I knew what was going on but I did hear about it.
Sorry if that makes you feel old.
Evidently, France are always strong as the home nation and Italy love a tournament.
Then there’s Spain who have gone a little under the radar this competition due to their poor form in the World Cup.
The experience and quality in that squad, surely you cannot rule them out.
With this being said I fail to lose faith just yet and should we have won on Thursday and get another three points against Slovakia (on Monday) we can still top the group and go into the following stages of the competition off the back of some solid wins.
On a side note I am happy to say I’m now back in full training with the team – much to Callum the physio’s delight.
With just over three weeks left until our first game back I intend to train as hard as possible, regain fitness and be available for selection.
As always thanks for all the support, I hope you are all enjoying reading the column as much as I am writing them.
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