Just want to say a few things about Dike

He’s come on loan to a new country, 20 years old where he’s presumably living alone. He’s come in and hardly put a foot wrong. Completely bought into what we’re doing and seems to be really enjoying his football.

Part of the reason I was excited when he joined was that from looking at his social media he stood out to me as someone with a fantastic attitude. All laughing and joking, dancing etc. but at the same time you could tell that he isn’t the Malik Wilks style laughing and joking where he would rest on his laurels. It’s a difficult thing to explain I suppose but he just felt like the right person, which to me is almost as important as footballing ability. Especially with the style that we play, where the squad is everything and working as a team is a necessity.

I think when he got his goal last night I could hear his “WOOOOO” from here. It’s a stark contrast to some other loanees we’ve had in the past.

 

Here here

 

Or is it hear hear?

Either way, agreed!

 

I think it’s ear ear

 

Here hear

Play it safe

 

Also, to come here during a pandemic with no social life and no idea what it's like to play in front of fans is a massive decision for a 20 year old. Credit due to him.

 

One element of his game that's really impressed me is his passing. When he gets the opportunity he looks up and hits a low hard ball to feet very accurately and very quickly. Think there's much more to his game than being a big target man up top

 

I get what you mean in the middle paragraph. He knows how to be chill and fun but also when the right time to be chill is, and it certainly isn’t when he’s working.

I was excited when we signed him but also a bit wary given there seemed to be an expectation on his shoulders before he even walked through the door. I think he was exactly what we were looking for and, together with Morris, strengthened our forward line no end. So much so that we can rotate on a match by match basis and not really notice too much difference.

Hopefully he keeps going like he is and a deal can be agreed.

 

definitely. There's no h's in Barnsley

 

He's being kept an eye on back at home

 

It seems he comes from a footballing family, one of his brothers and his sister have both played for Nigeria's national teams. He's currently doing an online degree too so I guess he knows when to focus and when to have fun.

 

Coming over here.... taking our jobs......

 

There's a really good article about him here: https://virginiasports.com/news/2021/01/05/dike-on-fast-track-to-soccer-stardom/

 

From Oklahoma to Oakwellhoma

 

My only worry is that we won't be able or willing to pay the asking price as it blows our Business Model right out of the water. Maybe a full season loan is the answer or we risk losing him to someone with deeper pockets like we did with McBurnie!

 

I would imagine it would be very easy to get homesick at this moment in time. I hope the club are doing all things possible to lessen that effect.

He certainly looks to be enjoying it. There was only one winner last night at that near post. The defender just bounced off him. And his all round game is coming on leaps and bounds. Finding colleagues and not wasting balls.

 

My ex's nephew played for Orlando City Under 18's. I went to watch him a few times and was impressed with how technically proficient they were with the ball. The lad barely ever wasted a pass.

 

What I am impressed with is Dike’s ability to hold off a man. He was being held and leant on by the QPR player for his goal but still managed to jump and glance the ball into the back of the net, I would hate to be facing both him and Morris, who is also another exceptional signing.

 

Was going to say that, you can see him standing firm and hold him at bay while the cross comes in - incredible strength - giving enough room and time to head the ball cleanly