Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Steven Reid wants Chelsea revenge
Tuesday 16th August 2011, 3:00PM BST.
Steven Reid is confident Albion can avoid another Chelsea nightmare on Saturday – despite Roberto Di Matteo’s inside information.
The former Baggies boss, who led the side to a 6-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge last season, is now back at his former club as assistant to new manager Andre Villas-Boas.
But Reid believes they will avoid a repeat performance in West London.
He said: “I’m sure Roberto Di Matteo will know our lads inside out and he will know what we can do.
“I’m a little bit surprised he’s there because he’s been the boss for a few years with us and Milton Keynes Dons before that, now he’s taken more of a back seat at Chelsea.
“But it’s a great move for him and I’m sure he’s enjoying it. He did well for us but he’s at Chelsea now and I’m sure he’ll do well there too.
“We believe we can get a result – we showed that against Manchester United. The positive we take is that if we play like that every week, we will be fine.
“I think we will be better prepared this time.”
Reid played in Albion’s first game of the season alongside new signing Shane Long, who marked his Baggies debut with a goal.
And Reid, who played with Long for the Republic of Ireland, believes the 24-year-old could have a similar impact in the Premier League to Wolves striker Kevin Doyle.
Doyle and Long moved to England together to sign for Reading and Reid sees similarities between the pair.
He said: “I thought Shane did really well. He’s a handful and he runs the channels well.
“He will be a great signing for us and I’m sure he will do the same as Kevin Doyle has at Wolves.
“He’s improved a lot in the last few years since I first saw him for Ireland, which would have been about four years ago.
“He’s better as a player, that’s come with experience and he will be a great asset for us. He will work all day long, he works hard and he’s similar to Doyle.
“Hopefully he can do with us what Doyle has with Wolves for the last few seasons.”
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