The Inevitable Summer Shake Up - Manager, Staff and Players

[Gordons Cumming]

All this Coppell out stuff is nonsense.

He is without doubt the best we've had and should try and keep him as long as possible.

If he leaves I'll bet those on here wanting him out, will be pining for him in a couple of years.

[Millsy]

Coppell leaving would = biggest tragedy in history of RFC and a freefall back down to where we belong.

I say this with the same conviction as when at the time of Parj leaving when I said him joining would be the best thing to happen to us but noone agreed.

Unless he can establish us back in the Prem first.

I hope to God he stays long enough to establish us in the Prem before the Swindon fan/s masquerading as Royal/s on here get their/his way.

[skipper]

Won't be hear next season, and fair enough he had his bite of the cherry, enjoyed it, and as everything dosn't last forever.

Time for a change anyway, we have a good squad and a decent enough manager will turn around the past 3 months no problems.

Coppell deserves the time off, and we should give him the biggest send off possible. After all he was at the helm for our most sucessful time in our history. And argueably his greatest achievements in management.

[Yorkshire Royal]

I dont post that much these days. In fact I think the last time I posted was to confirm Kitson's move to Stoke a couple of days early.

But, I have it on good authority that the mood in the Reading camp is not good. Coppell is definitely leaving at the end of the season and with him several players. Our mediocre form is down to the players not giving a damn anymore. And because of this they don't care if we do or don't make it through the playoffs. I expect to see major changes and sadly this is an end of an era. There will be no more remnants of the 2006 side... Long term, this may be for the best, but I can't see us making the playoffs next year and we will settle as an average Championship side for a while.

IMO everything relies on the academy now. If the players step up, with a couple of experienced players still here (Noel Hunt?), within 2-3 years we could have a very strong side again and start challenging again. Just need to make sure we dont get relegated during the building process.

[Deathy]

I dont post that much these days. In fact I think the last time I posted was to confirm Kitson's move to Stoke a couple of days early.

But, I have it on good authority that the mood in the Reading camp is not good. Coppell is definitely leaving at the end of the season and with him several players. Our mediocre form is down to the players not giving a damn anymore. And because of this they don't care if we do or don't make it through the playoffs. I expect to see major changes and sadly this is an end of an era. There will be no more remnants of the 2006 side... Long term, this may be for the best, but I can't see us making the playoffs next year and we will settle as an average Championship side for a while.

IMO everything relies on the academy now. If the players step up, with a couple of experienced players still here (Noel Hunt?), within 2-3 years we could have a very strong side again and start challenging again. Just need to make sure we dont get relegated during the building process.

Excellent post, Yorkers.

I would gladly take mid-table security for the next few years if we can bring the kids through and get some heart back in the side.

As for players not giving a dam, sadly that seems all too clear. The sooner we have a clear out the better, starting with Stephen Hunt. The most over rated kunt to play for Reading for many many years!

[NR_Royal]

Right, firstly I think we played well today. Defence was solid, midfield was solid, but strikers...not so solid.

From here, I think we should do the following in July:

Replace tired Coppell with a fresher manager with the raw hunger to win.
Return Kitson to Stoke.
Return Little to Portsmouth.
Sell Doyle.
Sell Lita.
Sell Bikey.
Sell Harper.
Sell Shunt.

We should aim to find a striker with real passion, with skill and drive. Having Long, NHunt and another striker would be great.

If the team looked like this next season, I think we'd do well in this league.

--------------------------------------------USA/Fed---------------------------------------------

------Rosenior------------Pearce/Ingi------------Sodje/Cisse------------------Stretch----------

------Henry------------Matejovsky------------Robson Kanu/Karacan----------Tabb---------

-------------------------------Long/???---------------NHunt---------------------------------

No egos. Passion. A winning team.

[Deathy]

Lita's free in the summer, isn't he?!

And hasn't this been discussed to death?

[Chaney]

MM wont be here next season if we dont go up

[Ian Royal]

I'm trying to think of players I actually want at the club next season. I don't think I can get 11 let alone a squad:
Federici, Armstrong, Pearce, Karacan, Tabb, Matejovsky, Harper, Henry, Robson-Kanu, Scott Davies, Kelly, Noel Hunt, Long, Mooney.

Half of those aren't really good enough to start regularly and are only on the list because they're from the acadamy.

Kebe, Rosenior, and Bikey can all rot in hell as far as I'm concerned right now.

[loyalroyal]

Our midfield cant cross, cant take free kicks, cant take corners and are devoid of ideas and spark and have no width.

[Deathy]

Our midfield cant cross, cant take free kicks, cant take corners and are devoid of ideas and spark and have no width.

Ironically, James Henry was superb for Millwall, and took free kicks (all at head height lol) and their corners.

[The Prisoner]

Our midfield cant cross, cant take free kicks, cant take corners and are devoid of ideas and spark and have no width.

Ironically, James Henry was superb for Millwall, and took free kicks (all at head height lol) and their corners.

And I seem to remember him playing quite well in an away victory earlier in the season...3-1 against someone....can't remember who....

[Ian Royal]

I dont post that much these days. In fact I think the last time I posted was to confirm Kitson's move to Stoke a couple of days early.

But, I have it on good authority that the mood in the Reading camp is not good. Coppell is definitely leaving at the end of the season and with him several players. Our mediocre form is down to the players not giving a damn anymore. And because of this they don't care if we do or don't make it through the playoffs. I expect to see major changes and sadly this is an end of an era. There will be no more remnants of the 2006 side... Long term, this may be for the best, but I can't see us making the playoffs next year and we will settle as an average Championship side for a while.

IMO everything relies on the academy now. If the players step up, with a couple of experienced players still here (Noel Hunt?), within 2-3 years we could have a very strong side again and start challenging again. Just need to make sure we dont get relegated during the building process.

I've heard similar rumours about the players not being happy with Coppell. Frankly, whilst he hasn't been great, they have been atrocious.

[Yorkshire Royal]

As stated, we need to build from the bottom up. New players, new manager, new coaches and new tactics. It's going to mean some seasons of mediocrity, but as long as we dont go down, long term for the best..

[Ian Royal]

As stated, we need to build from the bottom up. New players, new manager, new coaches and new tactics. It's going to mean some seasons of mediocrity, but as long as we dont go down, long term for the best..

Can't say I disagree with that. Can you imagine the apoplexy on here from the dull and uninspiring brigade if we weren't even challenging for a play off space though?

I'm not sure I could take it.

[AlexY25]

You put Hal in the middle and hes a left winger and Tabb on the left wing and hes better in the centre.

[SteveRoyal]

MM wont be here next season if we dont go up

Unfortunately I have to agree.

I also think that we won't sell Harper as he is in fact a good player for us - it's what he does (side passing, tracking back, covering for other midfielders/defenders...) that doesn't get attention (ie. tackling, forward passing, lung-busting runs...) that we need to appreciate.

Replace tired Coppell with a fresher manager with the raw hunger to win.

If we do replace him, we will need to replace him properly!

I know this has been talked to death, and I know this is all massively hypothetical but I'm doing it anyway:

GK: Federici

RB: Rosenior
CB: Pearce
CB: Ingimarsson
LB: Armstrong

RM: Henry
CM: Harper
CM: Tabb
LM: [New LM?]/Robson-Kanu/Kebe

ST: [New ST?]/Long
ST: N Hunt

Subs: Andersen, Sodje, Karacan, Cisse, [Striker]

This is assuming that we sell/release Lita, Bikey, Matejovsky, Doyle, S Hunt, etc.

[Handsome Man]

MM wont be here next season if we dont go up

Every cloud has a silver lining then.

[IceRoyalsandKDoyles]

Starting 11 for next season:

GK: Federici
RB: Probably Rosenior but hopefully ...
LB: Stretch
CB: Ingimarsson (c) (feel he will still be championship quality and a very good captain)
CB: Pearce / ...
RM: ...
LM: Kebe / Shunt (if stays)
CM: Tabb
CM: Harper / Matejovsky (if either stay)
ST: N Hunt
ST: Long / Doyle (if stays)

+ Subs:

Hahnemann
Bikey (even after yesterday, I hope he stays)
Cisse
...
Mooney


2 Players who need a mention here to be signed:

Jorge Nunez - a defender for Club Nacional (of Paraguay). 6 starts 7 goals and 4 assists in the Copa Libertadores this season (south American Champions league equivalent) - Top Scorer in the Copa Libertadores so far. Nacional are poor and a 1 man team really so could be possible... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woAB2ti91eg

Salvador Cabanas - a striker for Club America (of Mexico). Was top scorer in the Copa Libertadores in both 2008 and 2007 but his team did not qualify this year. Goal machine with an amazing record but is vice-captain of his club... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G-My4EjMUA

[Darren Caskey's Dietician]

I think there will be a fair bit of shake up regardless of if we go up or not, and whilst I really don't want to see him go, I just can't see Coppell staying on as manager. If he does decide to retire from management, I would love to see him stay in the set up somewhere, although I have no idea where!

If he does go, Curbs would be my first choice as a replacement. If not Curbs, I would love Rodgers, but I'd be amazed if he left Watford so shortly after joining. If they don't go up, Coyle or Ferguson would be great additions, but again, we may struggle to get them in.

Throwing a real curve ball in to the mix (commence talk of how little I know about football etc, etc) I would not object in any way to Paul Ince getting the job. Granted, he did a terrible job at Blackburn, but I never thought he would be the right man for that job, they needed someone hard nosed with the egos they have there. His track record before Blackburn is commendable. Whoever offers him a job next is going to get a young, hungry manager, and more importantly, a man who has a point to prove, and knows it. A good mix for a manager in my opinion.

In terms of players, I can see the following leave:

Murty (Retire)
Bikey (even after yesterday, I don't want him to leave, but can't see him wanting to stay if we don't go up)
Golbourne (never going to get a game)
S. Hunt (waste of space, but thankfully has a reputation that will get him a move for good money)
Little
Kitson
Doyle (only if we don't go up)
Matejovski (someone in Europe will come in for him)
Duberry (the only reason we get caught up playing long ball)
Mooney (Wouldn’t be surprised to see him go to Norwich)

I don’t think Harper will go, and really hope he doesn’t. Someone in an earlier post mentioned how his game is the unsung pieces, like how he moves the ball, and lets be honest, the central midfield has looked weak without him. He will be offered the captains armband after Murty leaves.

In terms of our young players coming in, I hope we will see Pearce step up as centre back. I’d like to see Henry get more involved, and hope we will see more of Karacan. From what I’ve heard from my Sw*ndon STH ‘friend’ Kanu is utter rubbish, so can’t see him making much of an impact for us. I think Church could get a place in the squad.

If we start looking outside of the squad, positions I think we need to look at signing someone for are GK (Hahnemann has a year, two at best left, and whilst Feds is good cover, and has good distribution, I don’t think he is up to scratch as our first choice. He let in 15 goals in his time in goal, man of which came towards the end of his run when Ivar wasn’t mopping up in front of him), DL, ML/MR, ST.

For me, people we should look at are:

GK: Casper Schmeichel (never going to play at Man City, looked good at Cardiff) or if we go up and don’t keep Hahnemann, Kuszczak.
DL: I think Harding has done enough to warrant us signing him.
ML: Llulliana
MR: Eagles
ST: This is the position I struggle the most with. Undoubtedly, we need to bring in a player or two, I don’t know who. Cox is an obvious call, but I’m not sure he would come. Jason Scotland would be a great addition, but his price will be inflated, and he will be looking for the Prem, as will Ross McCormack. Beckford from Leeds would be a great shout, but again, he may be chased by a prem side. If Leeds go up, we would have no hope either. The other two from League one are obviously Lambert and Mackail-Smith (who would be a good shout if we poached Ferguson, but I doubt that will happen!)