Rob on a roll – like Stones
CITY STAR INSPIRES DICKIE
ROB DICKIE is reaping the rewards of brave moves on and off the pitch after modelling his game on John Stones.
QPR’s cultured defender has caught the eye of Premier League scouts with his ability on the ball and a couple of thunderbolt goals this season.
The 25-year-old’s pathway to the top opened up when he quit boyhood club Reading and ended a cycle of loan moves to Basingstoke, Cheltenham and Lincoln to make a name for himself at League One Oxford in January 2018.
Then last summer QPR boss Mark Warburton convinced him to head toWest London.
But it was seeing the courage Manchester City defender Stones, above, shows on the ball that proved a defining moment for Dickie.
He said: “I watched John Stones when he was at Everton and I just loved how brave he was. No matter what the circumstances, he always wanted the ball.
“He had a period when the Everton fans were getting on his back but he still carried on trusting his process and his way of playing and I have always looked to be like that.”
Leeds, Burnley, Newcastle and Wolves were all linked with giving Dickie a stepping stone to the top flight during the transfer window. That interest was intensified by goal-of-theseason contenders against Millwall on the opening day of the Championship season and Oxford in the EFL Cup. On both occasions Dickie dribbled out of defence to unleash net-bursting right-foot shots from 25 yards.
Due to the bonds he has with manager Karl Robinson, the staff and fans, Dickie did not celebrate his strike against Oxford. But that may not be the case if he nets for third-placed QPR in his first game at Reading in front of supporters this afternoon. Dickie added: “Reading has had a big influence on me. It is where I got my schooling. But I only played 45 minutes for the first team and the club looks completely different to when I was there.”