MEDALLION MAN
Parker glad Cahill is determined to add to collection
HECTOR NUNNS GARY CAHILL has his sights set on another league title – and that is music to the ears of Bournemouth manager Scott Parker.
The 35-year-old former England, Chelsea and Crystal Palace defender has a home trophy cabinet bigger than most in the Championship.
Cahill has medals for winning a Champions League, two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two Europa Leagues and a League Cup.
And then there is the small matter of 61 caps for his country scoring five goals, and playing in two World Cups and a European Championship.
Parker insisted it was a “no-brainer” to hire Cahill when his contract expired at Selhurst Park last summer and the centre-half is fully justifying that faith.
The Championship leaders made history with this victory, breaking a club record by going 15 league games unbeaten since the start of the season.
And it is also an astonishing 11 hours and 12 minutes since Cahill’s defence have conceded a goal away from home.
Cahill said: “The defensive unit is superb. At the moment it is a pleasure, but there are a hell of a lot of games in this league. It is positive to have that gap of nine points to third place, you’d rather be in that position. But now we have to keep pushing and driving. Let’s see where we are in January or February.
“I have been lucky enough to be in some teams that have won the league and it is all about consistency. The record for unbeaten games tells us we are doing something right.”
Parker, whose team are five points ahead of his former club Fulham in second, said: “It is massive what Gary brings to our team. Signing him was a no-brainer.
“He brings Premier League titles and Champions Leagues. He has smelt it, got the T-shirt and understands what you need to do over the course of a season, and what that journey looks like.
“When you are looking to form a squad you are ticking boxes to some extent. Are they going to settle in, have they got the quality, the experience, the language? And Gary ticks every box.”
Cahill had a hand in Dominic Solanke’s 43rdminute opener and sub Jamal Lowe got the second inside three minutes of coming off the bench – his third goal at Reading in three visits. And Royals chief Veljko Paunovic was trying to be upbeat despite a third loss on the spin, 10 players still out injured and the continued threat of a points deduction.
Reading are too reliant on John Swift for goals and assists, with sole fit senior striker George Puscas not having scored in 20 games.
Paunovic said: “We had big chances to score but missed them and paid a big price. George is getting into the right places and we are working on finishing and I’m sure the goals will come.”