What does Reading need?

[prvev]

Maybe, but Fae is a more defensive midfielder than either Harper or Sidwell. Harper would have to be more of a focal point in the attack. To get another high quality attacking midfielder to replace Sidwell would be best to play with Fae.

By the way, I went to a Nantes messageboard, and I don't think they want Fae to go. Which is a good thing. One bad thing is that Nantes are right on the edge of getting relegated to Ligue 2, so they may want to keep a player who has started for them in every game but one this season.

[mschofield]

Maybe, but Fae is a more defensive midfielder than either Harper or Sidwell. Harper would have to be more of a focal point in the attack. To get another high quality attacking midfielder to replace Sidwell would be best to play with Fae.

By the way, I went to a Nantes messageboard, and I don't think they want Fae to go. Which is a good thing. One bad thing is that Nantes are right on the edge of getting relegated to Ligue 2, so they may want to keep a player who has started for them in every game but one this season.

Coppell on the site this week notes that Reading are not buying anyone not already in the English game in January. He may be lying, but he had reasons and sounded convincing. He said foriegn buys would be for the summer. Maybe that means if Reading are interested in johnson, that interest will begin to show in six months, which is where the rumor re-surfaced.

[rossgreen]

Since it is almost certain that Reading will be staying up, how much money will Coppell have to spend in Summer (if his claim of no January transfers is true)?

[prvev]

Coppell on the site this week notes that Reading are not buying anyone not already in the English game in January. He may be lying, but he had reasons and sounded convincing. He said foriegn buys would be for the summer. Maybe that means if Reading are interested in johnson, that interest will begin to show in six months, which is where the rumor re-surfaced.

Hadn't seen that, thanks for passing it along. Not a bad idea, really. The team is doing better and there haven't been any real extreme weak links. No sense in disturbing the harmony. Will be interesting to see what if any English players will be brought in, or if he was lying.

The transfer budget for next season should be pretty large by Reading standards, with the new massive TV contract coming into play. Some of that will go toward the stadium expansion, but it should still be enough to bring in good players.

[mschofield]

Since it is almost certain that Reading will be staying up, how much money will Coppell have to spend in Summer (if his claim of no January transfers is true)?

He's not saying no transfers, just no transfers of players not already playing in England. He says it takes a while for players to adapt to the English game, and for immediate bang for the buck (which is what a second half signing needs to be) English players are more game ready.

the Reading transfer budget isn't set like other clubs. the manger is told to identify who he wants, then tell the owner who will dish out if possible. Sounds iffy, but Madjeski hasn't said no to a transfer yet.

[Katsbox]

Coppell and Reading stake their claim on the Irish:

Doyle and Hunt Sign Extended Contracts (http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10306%7E960961,00.html)

http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/90/fb/0,,10306~3079056,00.jpg

Doyle's is through summer 2010 (was to expire in 2009), Hunt's is through summer 2009 (was to expire 2007 - except automatic 1 yr extension based on # games played probably would have kicked in). Goes to show that the media can speculate all they want about offers and players leaving, but most players want to stay and Reading must be doing right by them.

On the flip side, Coppell said in an interview on Reading World that he knows what would get Sidwell to stay and went on to say that the club won't mortgage themselves for any one player. If Reading stay up, perhaps they'll have the kind of $$ to "spread around" (as Coppell put it) that will keep Sidwell happy.

[mschofield]

Coppell and Reading stake their claim on the Irish:

Doyle and Hunt Sign Extended Contracts (http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10306%7E960961,00.html)

http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/90/fb/0,,10306~3079056,00.jpg

Doyle's is through summer 2010 (was to expire in 2009), Hunt's is through summer 2009 (was to expire 2007 - except automatic 1 yr extension based on # games played probably would have kicked in). Goes to show that the media can speculate all they want about offers and players leaving, but most players want to stay and Reading must be doing right by them.

On the flip side, Coppell said in an interview on Reading World that he knows what would get Sidwell to stay and went on to say that the club won't mortgage themselves for any one player. If Reading stay up, perhaps they'll have the kind of $$ to "spread around" (as Coppell put it) that will keep Sidwell happy.

This is really great news. I suppose if we go down next year, doyle will sell for pds 20m. but this is great.
Love to sign sids. Don't see why not, as a suitable substitute will cost pds 3-5m plus 20k a week. i agree with being cautious, but we should be able to structure prem revenue wages for the next 18mos, at least.

Saying that, what do we need, points wise? Most years, 35-36 will do it. 42 has been enough every years since the prem started. so, two wins probably sees us up, four almost certainly does. Who would have thought I'd be happy to see Reading go 4-12 over their last 16 games...
Have we played 22 yet? kind of drunk here. sorry.

[superdave]

I'm a bit surprised that NObody has voted for Hahnemann, who has been a decent player, but is getting up in years and has had some spotty performances.

[kcscsupporter]

i've seen rumors that reading might be making a 3M pound offer for madjid bougherra... CB for wednesday. i have mixed emotions about this. it'd be a huge profit on our part as we got him last summer for 250K and it'd help clear some debt, but he's definitely a rising star and i think he's a year or two away from being premiership quality.

i hadn't seen that mentioned anywhere here and i thought you may be interested. we already rejected a 1.3M offer from charlton for him.

[prvev]

I'm a bit surprised that NObody has voted for Hahnemann, who has been a decent player, but is getting up in years and has had some spotty performances.

If his contract hadn't been extended there may be a chance of trying to get another keeper, but now I think he'll be the starter at least through next season, unless he starts playing really poorly. I expect that Coppell still wants to see more of what Stack can do, and wouldn't want to buy another young keeper until he's sure Stack doesn't have a future at the club. There was talk of Myhill possibly coming a while ago.

Marcus is a fan favorite (not just American fans), and seems to have embraced Reading, so I really doubt that he leaves to another club before he retires. And if he doesn't, it will probably take a lot for him to be moved out of the starting keeper spot.

[prvev]

i've seen rumors that reading might be making a 3M pound offer for madjid bougherra... CB for wednesday. i have mixed emotions about this. it'd be a huge profit on our part as we got him last summer for 250K and it'd help clear some debt, but he's definitely a rising star and i think he's a year or two away from being premiership quality.

i hadn't seen that mentioned anywhere here and i thought you may be interested. we already rejected a 1.3M offer from charlton for him.

The wikipedia page says a 3M pound bid from Reading has also been rejected. Apparently Wednesday have said that he's "not for sale"

[kcscsupporter]

The wikipedia page says a 3M pound bid from Reading has also been rejected. Apparently Wednesday have said that he's "not for sale"

to my knowledge, there hasn't been an offer yet... but if there was and it was rejected, i'd be extremely surprised. i'd love to keep him, but i can't imagine the club will pass up 3M for him.

[rossgreen]

If you're after an AM, what about Derby's Giles Barnes? The latest rumor is he's going for 1.5 million quid (up to 2.5 on performance).

[mschofield]

If his contract hadn't been extended there may be a chance of trying to get another keeper, but now I think he'll be the starter at least through next season, unless he starts playing really poorly. I expect that Coppell still wants to see more of what Stack can do, and wouldn't want to buy another young keeper until he's sure Stack doesn't have a future at the club. There was talk of Myhill possibly coming a while ago.

Marcus is a fan favorite (not just American fans), and seems to have embraced Reading, so I really doubt that he leaves to another club before he retires. And if he doesn't, it will probably take a lot for him to be moved out of the starting keeper spot.

I could see a new keeper being brought next year. But really, I'd love to see federici devo into a starter when marcus retires (and the timing would be about right). how cool would that be, the guy who played non-roster, crashing on sonko's couch for a year, ends up a prem regular.

[Morpheus1271]

Convey back to 100%

[prvev]

Hammond confirmed interest in Irish DC Alan Bennett. He plays for Cork City.

http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10306~966284,00.html

[mschofield]

Hammond confirmed interest in Irish DC Alan Bennett. He plays for Cork City.

http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10306~966284,00.html

You almost think we should match their pds 300k valuation just to make up for the great striker robbery of 2005. I mean, what would Long sell for right now? Half a million? Six times the 78k we paid for the pair?
And adding what Doyle is now worth just makes it very sad for them. I seriously doubt they'll want to lower their valuation, to make Reading of all clubs happy.
that said, 100k turned down, back in pds 178k?;)

[prvev]

I mean, what would Long sell for right now? Half a million? Six times the 78k we paid for the pair?


I'd guess more, although I obviously can't be sure. At this point he seems like he could very well be a future starter for the Irish national team, and a bigger club would be going for him.

Offer them pds 178k for Bennett, and I think they run away crying and yelling "why" (like that figure skater). :D

Anyway, his contract apparently runs out in November. So I doubt he'll be going for his full value, which is good. Shouldn't have to go too much higher than the pds 100,000 (I read somewhere else that it was 150,000, I'm not sure which is right) to get him.

edit: nevermind, the 150,000 I saw was in euros.

[mschofield]

I'd guess more, although I obviously can't be sure. At this point he seems like he could very well be a future starter for the Irish national team, and a bigger club would be going for him.

Offer them pds 178k for Bennett, and I think they run away crying and yelling "why" (like that figure skater). :D

Anyway, his contract apparently runs out in November. So I doubt he'll be going for his full value, which is good. Shouldn't have to go too much higher than the pds 100,000 (I read somewhere else that it was 150,000, I'm not sure which is right) to get him.

edit: nevermind, the 150,000 I saw was in euros.

Do you remember the interview with the Cork manager, who was just spitting mad at the board for including the 78k buyout clause. Really, for a club their size, it had to be tragic. At real value, they could have funded a full season (even then doyle was obviously underpriced, even before he became a monster in england).

So, my priorities list for the next two weeks:
1. avoid work and post on bigsoccer (check).
Then hope that Reading:
2. Re-up Sids through '10.
3. Get Doyle healed.
4. Find a starting quality mid to add to the mix.
5. Find one more starting quality cb.

[prvev]

Do you remember the interview with the Cork manager, who was just spitting mad at the board for including the 78k buyout clause. Really, for a club their size, it had to be tragic. At real value, they could have funded a full season (even then doyle was obviously underpriced, even before he became a monster in england).


Don't remember the specific interview, but it really was incredible. I mean, as you alluded to, most of the good clubs from smaller leagues such as the one in Ireland hope to move to/stay at the top of the league through selling players to bigger clubs for high amounts, and then reinvesting that in the club. That they would put a buyout clause in anyone's contract that wasn't very high is just insane. And the 78k was just laughable/great (for us).

And that list looks exactly right to me. Would be great if all that happened.