The Summer clearout / Coming in thread. Updated 27/8

[Platypuss]

This useful thread has been statspammed to death once already, please don't turn it into a glorified UR&G.

[Sarah Star]

Good news!

"It is an on-going process but we want to offer Jimmy a new contract. In fact, we're hoping to keep everyone - that includes Shane Long, Matt Mills, Adam Federici, Simon Church and Jimmy Kebe. That's the perfect scenario for us.

"There's not so much of a rush with those players with two years left on their contracts like Adam Federici.

"But senior players going into the last year of the contracts like Jimmy Kebe are a priority."

http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport ... r-quartet/

[Man Friday]

This news has really cheered me up. I feel if we can keep this team together we'll go up next season. We just need one more year!

At least we're showing ambition. If players are desperate to leave we can't stop them.

[Hoop Blah]

It's very unlikely we'd just let them walk away without at least trying to keep them.

I don't see how this really changes anything. Long and Federici have been making noises for the last 12 months about wanting to be in the Premier League (pretty much saying with or without Reading). Us offering them a new contract just shows a bit of willing on on part. It doesn't get us promoted.

[brendywendy]

us wanting to keep them is just teh first step. but its a significant statement.


or it could just be a load of bollards designed to make the fans think JM isnt bleeding the club dry if you are that way inclined.

[Svlad Cjelli]

Generally a new contract is a chance to increase the price in the "release clause" and make sure we get more money for anyone we can't stop from leaving.

[brendywendy]

as a rsult it also makes teh sale a little less likley.
many interested would baulk at an increased release clause/lengthened contract as it may tip the deal into "not worth it" territory in their eyes

[Snowball]

It's very unlikely we'd just let them walk away without at least trying to keep them.

I don't see how this really changes anything. Long and Federici have been making noises for the last 12 months about wanting to be in the Premier League (pretty much saying with or without Reading). Us offering them a new contract just shows a bit of willing on on part. It doesn't get us promoted.

OTOH all these players, if they all stayed have a fantastic chance of being in a championship-winning side
or at least gaining automatic promotion.

Long could easily better his goal-tally for 2010-11, Hunt could reach 20 if he stays injury-free, Kebe could have
another 12+ goal season. And we have (hopefully) a resurgent Church, a fitter Manset (already a proven goal-scorer)

Two totally-sound, still-improving CBs in Mills & Pearce, a well-thought of youngster as back-up in Morrison, Harte as 4th CB perhaps, Gunnar...

HRK will be pushing for a place, as will McCarthy. LB cover and we easily look a top-six side, but if we start properly and
manage the form of the second half of 2010-11 we will have every chance of top-two. None of them would lose value
but they may well gain a lot.

[Hoop Blah]

I'm all for looking at this news as a positive, and snowball you're right these guys might indeed see potential glory next season (although having just sneaked into the playoffs I'm not so sure, even though the form in 2011 would indicate a good chance) but I just don't think this really makes any difference.

They'll all still be likely to double their money with a move the Premier League. We can't compete with that. I don't see why we should expect to really either.

I can't really see why someone like Long would agree to a new contract either. What has he got to gain?

Whilst on the topic of being positive.....Manset being a proven goalscorer? Are you sure?

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

Generally a new contract is a chance to increase the price in the "release clause" and make sure we get more money for anyone we can't stop from leaving.

Very good point Svlad ...Reading tend to "renegotiate" contracts for certain players more as a good bargaining position than to secure a player to the club ...

..again good bit of PR bandwagon from Hammond...he's hardly likely to say we dont want to keep them, so if they go, he can say "we did make them a good offer" .....got to keep the "ambition" plate spinning after all

[Snowball]

.Manset being a proven goalscorer? Are you sure?

2010-11

13 goals in 26 appearances for Hereford, 2 more goals for us in 12 apps.

15 Goals in 38 appearances (including sub appearances)

That proves he can score goals.

I didn't say at what level or how prolific.

[Royal Rother]

I'm all for looking at this news as a positive, and snowball you're right these guys might indeed see potential glory next season (although having just sneaked into the playoffs I'm not so sure, even though the form in 2011 would indicate a good chance) but I just don't think this really makes any difference.

They'll all still be likely to double their money with a move the Premier League. We can't compete with that. I don't see why we should expect to really either.

Maybe we can't compete with the PL in terms of basic salary but we could probably afford to offer a generous bonus for promotion which, if achieved, might come close to matching / beating earning expectations from a mid / lower PL club.

However confident he is in his own abilities, another season of (if fit) guaranteed 1st team football (rather than bench warming) would, I am 100% sure, be what Shane Long, in his heart of hearts, really wants at this stage of his career, rather than a hike in salary and no certainty of starting games.

On the back of half a season being top dog the last thing he would need is to see his career stall...

That's it, I've convinced myself - he's staying.

he no staying, he be to wolves or everton or newcastle. my pal at club told me... i no football you no NOTHING. piss off he gone

[urz13]

Generally a new contract is a chance to increase the price in the "release clause" and make sure we get more money for anyone we can't stop from leaving.

Very good point Svlad ...Reading tend to "renegotiate" contracts for certain players more as a good bargaining position than to secure a player to the club ...

..again good bit of PR bandwagon from Hammond...he's hardly likely to say we dont want to keep them, so if they go, he can say "we did make them a good offer" .....got to keep the "ambition" plate spinning after all

I seem to recall a similar instance at the start of last season with a young Icelander...

[Snowball]

I read somewhere that Shane's GF really doesn't want to leave the area.

[urz13]

I read somewhere that Shane's GF really doesn't want to leave the area.

I've heard that too....

[Hoop Blah]

On the back of half a season being top dog the last thing he would need is to see his career stall...

Totally agree RR, but at the same time now is the time he can really have it take off too. As Dirk is always rightly reminding us these guys don't see potential failure ahead of them, all they see is the opportunity to prove they're as good as the next guy.

If Long doesn't go now he might have a poor run next year, suffer injury, or get stuck in a team going nowhere (mostly things out of his control) and so whilst his stock is high he has the chance to make the most important move of his career and maximise his earnings.

Having just one year left on his contract and what I presume is a relatively low release clause agreed with the club (eg £4-5m not £7-8m) he's in a great bargaining position for those clubs who might've been willing to spend more on a fee for him. He can tap into that for his signing on fee/wages and really rake in the £'s.

Career wise a move the Premier League will keep him moving on up. In his mind he probably can't enhance his reputation or test himself further by staying in the Championship with us.

[urz13]

Having just one year left on his contract and what I presume is a relatively low release clause agreed with the club (eg £4-5m not £7-8m) he's in a great bargaining position for those clubs who might've been willing to spend more on a fee for him.

His release clause is an appalling £500k.

[YateleyRoyal]

Having just one year left on his contract and what I presume is a relatively low release clause agreed with the club (eg £4-5m not £7-8m) he's in a great bargaining position for those clubs who might've been willing to spend more on a fee for him.

His release clause is an appalling £500k.

Sauce?

[urz13]

Having just one year left on his contract and what I presume is a relatively low release clause agreed with the club (eg £4-5m not £7-8m) he's in a great bargaining position for those clubs who might've been willing to spend more on a fee for him.

His release clause is an appalling £500k.

Sauce?

Nigel Howe.

[YateleyRoyal]

His release clause is an appalling £500k.

Sauce?

Nigel Howe.

did you see him down at reading fc fella is he your m8?