‘Nice Tag Has Got To Go, It's Time To Be Nasty!'
The Football League Paper|October 27, 2019
MARK Bowen comes across as a genuinely nice guy, but he’s determined to make Reading nasty.
John Lyons
‘Nice Tag Has Got To Go, It's Time To Be Nasty!'

Appointed manager a couple of weeks ago, the Welshman is starting to win over the doubters after his switch from being the Royals’ sporting director.

A last-gasp win on his home debut as boss against high-flying Preston – which helped Reading clamber out of the relegation zone – was the perfect start last weekend and Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw at in-form QPR provided further proof that Bowen can cut the mustard.

While he appears a calm presence on the touchline, there is little doubting the 55-year-old’s passion when he talks football.

He is convinced that he will get Reading climbing the Championship table before long – and their opponents had better watch out.

“I’ve tweaked the way we play in terms of trying to be a little bit more direct, a little bit more on the front foot,” he explained.

“I want us to play games where it’s a battle for every team to play against us. I hate that label that if you play Reading Football Club, it’s going to be a nice game of football.

Talent “Well, excuse me, sod that, I want us to be really hard to beat, I want us to be nasty and if we get that right, the quality that we’ve got in the team will take over and we’ll be a better side and get more points.

“I, the team and my staff have got ambitions not to just be okay. We’ll push up this league mate because we’re too good not to.

“If we get things right off the ball, with our ability anything is possible.”

Indeed, Bowen does have quality players at his disposal. John Swift, 24, is a talented midfielder who can make the Royals tick, while Liverpool loanee Ovie Ejaria, 21, has skill in abundance.

The latter was in devastating form in the first half at QPR and it was his delicious through ball that gave Romanian striker George Puscas the chance to score Reading’s first equalizer of the night.

This story is from the October 27, 2019 edition of The Football League Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 27, 2019 edition of The Football League Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE PAPERView All
GARY'S EXCITED BY 'SHORT-TERM STAY
The Football League Paper

GARY'S EXCITED BY 'SHORT-TERM STAY

GARY Rowett says he has no intention of remaining at Birmingham City beyond the end of the season.

time-read
1 min  |
March 24, 2024
IT'S DEBUT EUPHORIA FOR JAMIE
The Football League Paper

IT'S DEBUT EUPHORIA FOR JAMIE

JUBILANT Jamie Reid reflected on an ‘unbelievable’ experience after capping his international debut for Northern Ireland with a seventh-minute goal against Romania.

time-read
1 min  |
March 24, 2024
STUNNER BY NINO HELPS UNITED OFF  THE BOTTOM
The Football League Paper

STUNNER BY NINO HELPS UNITED OFF  THE BOTTOM

Wins on bounce delight Morison

time-read
3 mins  |
March 24, 2024
MCALENY BRACE TOPPLES MAGPIES
The Football League Paper

MCALENY BRACE TOPPLES MAGPIES

SALFORD assistant manager Alex Bruce admitted his ears were left ringing by Karl Robinson during their victory over Notts County.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 24, 2024
GAFFER DAVE SEEKS MORE AS HATTERS  CRUSH DONS
The Football League Paper

GAFFER DAVE SEEKS MORE AS HATTERS  CRUSH DONS

STOCKPORT boss Dave Challinor has challenged his players to back up their stunning win over rivals MK Dons – by going on a run to secure automatic promotion from League Two.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 24, 2024
U'S WILL NOT ROLL OVER ON MY WATCH,  SAYS COWLEY
The Football League Paper

U'S WILL NOT ROLL OVER ON MY WATCH,  SAYS COWLEY

DANNY Cowley paid tribute to his relegation-haunted Colchester after they ground out a draw at table-topping Mansfield.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 24, 2024
IF NEW OWLS GET ON A ROHL IT COULD GO RIGHT TO WIRE
The Football League Paper

IF NEW OWLS GET ON A ROHL IT COULD GO RIGHT TO WIRE

ONLY once in the past seven years has a team been relegated from the Championship with more than 43 points.

time-read
5 mins  |
March 24, 2024
PARRY BACKS REFORM PLAN
The Football League Paper

PARRY BACKS REFORM PLAN

EFL chairman Rick Parry is optimistic that the introduction of the Football Governance Bill in Parliament can be an 'important milestone' in shaping the game's future in this country.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 24, 2024
Entertainers is having a ball at the eight Hawthorns
The Football League Paper

Entertainers is having a ball at the eight Hawthorns

MIKEY Johnston is the best player in the Championship on current form, at least if his West Brom team-mate Jed Wallace is to be believed.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 24, 2024
FOXES TAKE ON EFL AND PREM!
The Football League Paper

FOXES TAKE ON EFL AND PREM!

Legal route taken in spending row

time-read
3 mins  |
March 24, 2024