Reading FC

Grzegorz Rasiak ended Reading’s 301 day wait for a home victory
advertisement

Supersub Grzegorz Rasiak puts Reading on cloud nine

By Jonny Fordham
November 23, 2009

Supersub Grzegorz Rasiak may have ended Reading’s 301 day wait for a home victory, but his ever-present wife missed his 82nd minute winner after she couldn’t find a babysitter for their kids.

The 30-year-old striker put to bed Royals’ 17 game winless streak in the Championship at Madejski Stadium before rushing back to his other half Bozena to celebrate at home.

Normally Mrs Rasiak attends all Reading's home games, but had to miss out on her first game since her husband's £300,000 move from Southampton at the beginning of the season.

The striker explained: "Bozena normally comes, but my son Jakub had a football session and we couldn't find a babysitter.

"It can be a bit difficult bringing two young kids sometimes, especially with my daughter Julia who is just three, as I live more than an hour away.

"But Bozena saw that I had scored and we won the game and I talked to her after the match."

Brendan Rodgers tinkered with his side following the 1-1 draw with Ipswich, dropping Rasiak in place of the fit again Jimmy Kebe, who took another knock and was replaced by Hal Robson-Kanu at half-time.

Lone-striker Simon Church was forced off with a hip injury and made way for the 6ft 3ins Poland international, and he could be a doubt for the trip to Derby County this Saturday.

And Rasiak admitted he was always keen to play as many games as possible.

"I'm never happy if I'm on the bench, but I always respect the decision of the manager," said the former Derby and Watford forward.

"We played well and changed the system a little bit and I was delighted to come on as a substitute and score the winner.

"We've got great wingers, Jobi McAnuff was outstanding and Jimmy Kebe was also good before he got injured, we have great potential in this league and can get better.

"It was so good to get the win especially for the fans who came out to support us.

"In the first half we were excellent and dominated the game, they probably had more possession at the start of the second half, but we went on and scored."

Rasiak now has four goals from seven first-team starts and he is hoping to get 15 for the season and win his bet with 36-year-old manager Rodgers if he reaches it.

His diving header was reminiscent of his first goal for The Rams when he moved to England and Rasiak is now looking forward to going back to his former club this weekend who are just one place above Reading in 19th.

He said: "I remember my first goal in England for Derby was a diving header in a similar situation and hopefully it wont be my last.

"I'm looking forward to going back to Pride Park because that's where I've scored most of my goals in England.

"In the last four games we have played really well and now we have to be focused on the next game against Derby."

| Submit Comments | View Comments (15)

« Previous Story | Next Story »

Most recent user comments 15 of 15

Show 15 | 25 | 50 per page

No sign of the Wasp from Watford!

Jon Pepper
26/06/2010 at 22:23

I'm good fred. It's been a good 4/5 weeks. You?

Like you and I, i'm sure he is thinking "who can come in at the right price and be better" it's tough.

He doesn't want to make another Cummings like signing (rubbish) nor can he make too many Howard (higher earner) signings so what can he do?

Would love Hammo to come out and say BR has X amount to spend in Jan - it will never happen but it would help us fans know where to position our frustrations.

I like Church and don't mind Ras but with a decent striker Reading would have won the last 4 and maybe a few more before that!

BR fan, Reading
23/11/2009 at 22:12

What is the current exchange rate between the pound and the currency of cloud cuckoo land. Supporters must be aware by now that there is NO MONEY only MOONEY!

Take a Chill Pill!
23/11/2009 at 17:47

BR Fan how r ya????

Mooney maybe poor and I can't comment because i haven't seen him, but surely if the chairman won't put his hand in his pocket what alternative is there but to bring him back unless you fancy dusting ya boots off and having a run out...

someone like marcus bent would be great but can you see that happening... if the money was there to get a decent proven championship goal scorer i'm sure BR would have done it by now.. there are loads in the prem who aren't getting a game who we could get down hereon loan, Phillips, sturridge, vokes, just to name 3

FRED BAINES
23/11/2009 at 15:59

Mooney is poor! Marcus Bent now Kitson has gone to M.borough??

BR fan, Reading
23/11/2009 at 15:42

That was more like it - now the big test for Buck... Rasiaak for Church is fair enough if having a knock and Rasaik scored, so PLEASE name an unchanged team for the next game don't go tinkering to pretend you are a great tactical manager.

Pete50
23/11/2009 at 15:26

WE need a striker, no doubt there! i agree if its that difficult to bring in someone recall mooney!!!

Monkity, Reading
23/11/2009 at 15:01

What are you talking about, Take a Chill Pill!

How am i being negative by stating the obvious?! - even Rodgers himself has admitted we need a striker BEFORE Church and Kebe got injured at the weekend. If this loan window goes by without us signing someone, what happens if Church and Rasiak get injured - we're left with no fit strikers, are you hoping that cos Church is young he could shake any injury off in a week

Also, are you sure we can recall Mooney and Bignall? - some loans mean you can't do that, such as Bertrand with us.

Get in the real world mate

Chinese Steve
23/11/2009 at 14:46

Striker is a must... i don't want to go back over old ground but i believe the reason we haven't bought a striker in is cos of the money men and trying to do things as cheap as possible... BR is a football man and i believe if the chairman said to him 'go and get a striker' he would have one within a few days.. the reason he probably hasn't found one is because he can't find one good enough with the money avaliable to get one..

agree with you guys on here recall mooney and if give him a go..

really enjoyed saturdays game thought we deserved to win and thought it was a very good game but was also very impressed with what a decent outfit blackpool looked.. The only thing i would say and this really is been a bit harsh is our delivery into the box was quite easy to defend against as it was always floated in with no real pace apart from rasiaks goal, where as blackpool got some real pace and whip on there deliveries which IMO where of the highest quality and caused us quite a few problems

FRED BAINES
23/11/2009 at 14:19

Chinese Steve

We have cover in midfield - not in attack so I was referring to cover for Church. Again you are being negative - which helps no-one! I bet you get depressed when they win until you find something to be negative about.

Take a Chill Pill!
23/11/2009 at 13:32

Kebe as a striker- you are having a laugh!

K. Lunge, Djibouti
23/11/2009 at 13:11

Its easier said than done to bring in new players. We do have two forwards out on loan so perhaps if either are fit we could recall one of them if necessary. However lets stay positive - the players injured are young and have a week to recover.

Take a Chill Pill!
23/11/2009 at 12:59

The performance on Saturday carries on the recent good performances against Leicester, Cov and Ipswich. We could have won by a load more had it not been for Blackpool's keeper who had a very good game. Still a bit worrying near the end and I still believe we need to be 2 goals clear as there are no ball winners in central midfield. Still Howard and Matejovsky who took an excellent booking for the team near the end should be the number 1 pairing home and away.

As for the striker situation if we can't get anyone good enough simply recall one or both of Mooney and Bignall. If that fails Robson-Kanu or Kebe are good enough back up if the situation requires them to play there.

RYF, Royal County of Berkshire
23/11/2009 at 12:57

So Church and Kebe both took knocks - the loan window closes this week............will we actually bring in another striker or is it just a case of same old Reading, making do with what we've got??