Post by dreamr on Nov 22, 2008 9:42:44 GMT
Balanta's swagger brings fantasy football to Blues
10:40am Friday 21st November 2008
comment Comments (1) Have your say »
By Alan Feldberg »
From: www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/localsport/3865276.Balanta_s_swagger_brings_fantasy_football_to_Blues/
ANGELO Balanta had not played for a month before last Saturday, but it hardly showed as he dazzled Adams Park with a 45-minute exhibition that had fans and coaches alike licking their lips.
The Colombian-born 19-year-old last played a first team match on October 25, when he appeared for the final four minutes of QPR’s goalless draw at Reading.
But if there was ring-rustiness in his Adams Park debut, the rest of League Two should beware Balanta at full speed.
He said: “Peter Taylor told me to go out and express myself and it went well. I thought I played alright.
“It was good to get 45 minutes after such a long time, it was a good test for me and I didn’t feel too bad at the end.”
And now Balanta wants 90 minutes as he looks to really kick-off his two-month loan spell.
He said: “I’ve been training hard and I’m ready to go. I think I’m ready for 90 minutes now.”
Securing Balanta, who has been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Blues squad, is another huge coup for Blues boss Taylor.
Balanta is already on England’s radar having been on standby for the U19s, and eight first team appearances this season for a club that can afford almost anyone suggests people in high places believe he has a future at the very highest level.
He said: “Rangers is an exciting place to be at the moment and I hope coming here is a stepping stone to the QPR first team.
“But I need more experience so when I heard Wanderers were interested I thought, ‘why not’.
“They are second and unbeaten so I knew they were a good club, and now I’m here I want to make an impact quickly.”
He certainly did that on Saturday, setting up Lewis Hunt’s goal in the 1-0 win over Brentford and going close to a second himself.
He said: “I pride myself on scoring goals and thought I could have done better.
“I was crowded out so I wanted to get my shot away. I wouldn’t say expected to score that chance, but I would have liked to.
“Hopefully there will be a few goals to come though.”
10:40am Friday 21st November 2008
comment Comments (1) Have your say »
By Alan Feldberg »
From: www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/localsport/3865276.Balanta_s_swagger_brings_fantasy_football_to_Blues/
ANGELO Balanta had not played for a month before last Saturday, but it hardly showed as he dazzled Adams Park with a 45-minute exhibition that had fans and coaches alike licking their lips.
The Colombian-born 19-year-old last played a first team match on October 25, when he appeared for the final four minutes of QPR’s goalless draw at Reading.
But if there was ring-rustiness in his Adams Park debut, the rest of League Two should beware Balanta at full speed.
He said: “Peter Taylor told me to go out and express myself and it went well. I thought I played alright.
“It was good to get 45 minutes after such a long time, it was a good test for me and I didn’t feel too bad at the end.”
And now Balanta wants 90 minutes as he looks to really kick-off his two-month loan spell.
He said: “I’ve been training hard and I’m ready to go. I think I’m ready for 90 minutes now.”
Securing Balanta, who has been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Blues squad, is another huge coup for Blues boss Taylor.
Balanta is already on England’s radar having been on standby for the U19s, and eight first team appearances this season for a club that can afford almost anyone suggests people in high places believe he has a future at the very highest level.
He said: “Rangers is an exciting place to be at the moment and I hope coming here is a stepping stone to the QPR first team.
“But I need more experience so when I heard Wanderers were interested I thought, ‘why not’.
“They are second and unbeaten so I knew they were a good club, and now I’m here I want to make an impact quickly.”
He certainly did that on Saturday, setting up Lewis Hunt’s goal in the 1-0 win over Brentford and going close to a second himself.
He said: “I pride myself on scoring goals and thought I could have done better.
“I was crowded out so I wanted to get my shot away. I wouldn’t say expected to score that chance, but I would have liked to.
“Hopefully there will be a few goals to come though.”
