We clearly are not signing anyone in January

[Vision]

Can see both sides of the Hunt debate really.

He was absolutely pivotal to our 8th place Premiership season because his incredible work rate meant we could continue to play with 2 up front most weeks without Sidwell and Harper completely chasing shadows . His ability to narrow the pitch when we didnt have the ball (which was quite a lot) and yet still protect his left back if play was switched really was phenomenal. Sure you could argue that his crossing was a bit hit and miss (what winger's isnt) and he rarely beat his man on the outside but tbf he also more than contributed with goals and assists.As someone said earlier he was a driving force in that 06/07 season and along with the other whipping boy Harper was one of the few that could could come out of the relegation season with any credit.

The irony is though (and where AP has a point) is that all those attributes aren't as essential in a promotion chasing side that needs to win games most weeks. Where a bit more guile and technical ability are required rather than general ratting around to stop the opposition. Hence why Convey was always more use to us in the Championship but was never going to cut it for a side up against it most weeks. Its a weird paradox but despite Hunt being an inferior technical footballer to Convey he is/was always more likely to succeed at the higher level given the type of side that they would attract.

AP.I seem to remember a pretty decent volley against Birmingham (might have been a cup game) if we're looking for an out of the blue goal from Hunt although I'm hard pushed to think of another off the top of my head.

[brendywendy]

general ratting around

nice summing up of the lad

[zummerset]

Anyways Hunt's old news now - which high class players are we bringing in?

[No Fixed Abode]

I did hear a rumour David Healey is on his way to Reading as Doncaster are unable to afford his wages.

[loyalroyal4life]

I did hear a rumour David Healey is on his way to Reading as Doncaster are unable to afford his wages.

Hope not

[Millsy]

"We're so, so close [with our performances], and I know people will be fed up of listening to me saying that, but that's how I feel and I won't change that view."

So so close.

Love it.

Club finally confirming what I've been saying for ages.

Best bang for buck for Madejski is being a Nearly Club.

Reading NC till I die.

[prostak]

Try scrawling that on the toilet doors at the Monk's, see if it catches on.

[Snowball]

Healey as a short-term loan might be OK,
but he wouldn't exactly fill me with joy as a money permanent signing

Frankly, hope the rumour is wrong

[Royal Lady]

Of course it's wrong - it's a rumour from Kes.

[Hoop Blah]

We always get the 'they're just playing down budgets' line when the club say they aren't going to spend loads etc etc.

As ever I just don't buy that line. Clubs aren't as stupid as fans and they all have a pretty decent idea of each others wage bills and transfer requirements and budgets. A few lines in the Evening Post aren't going to knock 100k off the price of Charlie Austin or Steve Morison.

We heard the same thing last window from the likes of brendy, and we spent 50k on Harte. We're short of cash we're willing to spend on players. That's the truth of it. They might have some ready to go if it's really needed (and it is in my opinion) but be realistic, we're not in the market for making many changes to the squad.

As for the 'but we sign players every window' line, when was the last time we really improved our starting XI by signing a decent player? Harte starts yes, and Mills is seemingly a definite starter. After that there isn't many is in the last 5 years is there?

[Wycombe Royal]

We always get the 'they're just playing down budgets' line when the club say they aren't going to spend loads etc etc.

As ever I just don't buy that line. Clubs aren't as stupid as fans and they all have a pretty decent idea of each others wage bills and transfer requirements and budgets. A few lines in the Evening Post aren't going to knock 100k off the price of Charlie Austin or Steve Morison.

We heard the same thing last window from the likes of brendy, and we spent 50k on Harte. We're short of cash we're willing to spend on players. That's the truth of it. They might have some ready to go if it's really needed (and it is in my opinion) but be realistic, we're not in the market for making many changes to the squad.

As for the 'but we sign players every window' line, when was the last time we really improved our starting XI by signing a decent player? Harte starts yes, and Mills is seemingly a definite starter. After that there isn't many is in the last 5 years is there?

Griffin
McAnuff
Kebe
Armstrong
Matejovsky
Fae
Rosenior
Halford

They may not have all worked out but all were signed to improve our first XI.

[Pseud O'Nym]

Griffin
McAnuff
Kebe
Armstrong
Matejovsky
Fae
Rosenior
Halford

They may not have all worked out but all were signed to improve our first XI.

Also: Bikey and Noel Hunt.

Edited to add Jay Tabb.

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

Not the question asked tho was it WR?

[Ian Royal]

Not the question asked tho was it WR?

I'm going to take a careful interpretation of improving our first 11 because some of those players were brought into replace Premier League quality, and we were never going to improve on that... but they could still be players of an acceptable standard.

Clearly we didn't bring in good enough players when we were in the Premier league, so I'm only really considering players since we were relegated. Some of the Prem successes were only a success after we got relegated as well.

McAnuff - SHunt = good replacement
Griffin - Rosenior = much better player
Armstrong - Shorey = good replacement troubled by injury
Khizanishvili - Injured Ingimarsson = good replacement - not a permanent signing but the loan system is there for a reason.
NHunt - Kitson = adequate replacement in terms of quality, not different enough really, but you can't argue with his contribution when he has actually played.

That's 5 in 3 years, or 1 a transfer window.

I think that's pretty good when you consider we've also had Karacan, Church, Pearce, Sigurdsson, & Robson-Kanu step up from the academy to play important roles in our squad / first 11 and several other players (Tabb, Rasiak, Howard etc who've all brought something positive to the squad and are/were unlucky not to be regular starters)

[Hoop Blah]

Tabb, Bikey and Hunt were all squad players bought to add depth to the squad. Same really goes for Howard if you ask me, he wasn't one likely to be demanding to start above the other midfielders we had when he arrived.

McAnuff was a starter, and you'd have to assume Fae and Mateovsky were too considering what we spent on them and what we were lacking at the time. Griffin and Armstrong I'd accept from WR's list as well.

Not so sure on the likes of Rosenoir, Halford and Kebe though. Less so Kebe but the other two were long term replacements for Murty, even if Rosenoir was playing right wing to start with.

So we've had a few, but not that many for a side that has seen so many first team players leave over the same period. I'd like to see the club constantly strive (and ultimately succeed) to improve the first eleven. I'm not naive enough to think all signings will pay off, or indeed that we can afford to only buy ready made players, but I think our acquisitions leave a lot to be desired over all.

[prostak]

But we've never really been a side that tries to acquire big names or stars. How many of our recent best players have been bought with immediate first-team football in mind? Most tend to be like Doyle or Murty was, promising young players bought with building a team rather than a couple of stellar individuals supported by journeymen.

[Kitsondinho]

But we've never really been a side that tries to acquire big names or stars. How many of our recent best players have been bought with immediate first-team football in mind? Most tend to be like Doyle or Murty was, promising young players bought with building a team rather than a couple of stellar individuals supported by journeymen.

Or we buy faded 'stars' who are now journeymen.....Sir Les, Keown, Houghton, Goater,
............Keith Scott

[Who Moved The Goalposts?]

Not the question asked tho was it WR?

I'm going to take a careful interpretation of improving our first 11 because some of those players were brought into replace Premier League quality, and we were never going to improve on that... but they could still be players of an acceptable standard.

Clearly we didn't bring in good enough players when we were in the Premier league, so I'm only really considering players since we were relegated. Some of the Prem successes were only a success after we got relegated as well.

McAnuff - SHunt = good replacement
Griffin - Rosenior = much better player
Armstrong - Shorey = good replacement troubled by injury
Khizanishvili - Injured Ingimarsson = good replacement - not a permanent signing but the loan system is there for a reason.
NHunt - Kitson = adequate replacement in terms of quality, not different enough really, but you can't argue with his contribution when he has actually played.

That's 5 in 3 years, or 1 a transfer window.

I think that's pretty good when you consider we've also had Karacan, Church, Pearce, Sigurdsson, & Robson-Kanu step up from the academy to play important roles in our squad / first 11 and several other players (Tabb, Rasiak, Howard etc who've all brought something positive to the squad and are/were unlucky not to be regular starters)

Agree with most of that Ian with the major exception of NHunt for Kitson. For me, they're not in the same quality ball park to make any sort of comparison - Kitson is different class to Hunt.

[brendywendy]

Not the question asked tho was it WR?

no- the question asked was:

As for the 'but we sign players every window' line, when was the last time we really improved our starting XI by signing a decent player?

Griffin- yes
McAnuff-yes
Kebe-eventually yes
Armstrong-yes
Matejovsky-could have but no
Fae-could have but no
Rosenior-thought he did, but no
Halford-no
mills-yes
harte-50:50 for me
bikey- still think hes one of the best defenders ive seen here(when on top of his game)
nhunt-yes
jtabb-yes
+kish on loan - yes
+berti on loan - yes

so for me the

'but we sign players every window' line

rings pretty true tbf


and LOL at expecting us or any other team to improve the quality of their squad when relegated from the prem anyway- with that in mind id say our signings have been pretty fecking genius tbf, especially given the finances

[Hoop Blah]

You've missed the point there brendy. I'll explain again later when I have more time...seems you need it.