Andy Carroll - He's back

[Hound]

he doesn't need to work the channels or anything, he just needs to stand up top and head the oxf*rd thing. Jason Roberts was not a mobile striker for us, he would play off the shoulder of defenders through the middle and be rarely seen in the channels.

Things he should be able to give us -

Attacking and defending threat at set pieces.
Ability to hold the ball up and win fouls
Decent outlet when we need to get the ball forward quickly

All things we've been sorely missing. Obvs he can't run, and doubt he'll last 90 mins very often, but could be a shrewd signing

[Hound]

if he comes, I guess he cannot play until January?

free agent so can play straight away

[Stranded]

Interesting* and will be happy if it is confirmed today/tomorrow - would imagine he may even be stuck on the bench against Forest on Saturday.

It was said that we couldn't sign him in the summer because of squad size and the EFL wouldn't sanction it - but appears they will now. Pay as you play deal maybe? Or we've agreed with the EFL to take the 9 plus 3 penalty without any argument if we can sign one or two additional free agents to boost ailing squad numbers.

[LUX]

out of interest and off topic, what is the "plus 3"?

[muirinho]

out of interest and off topic, what is the "plus 3"?

Assuming you mean from "9 plus 3 penalty" in the previous tweet - it has been strongly suggested that our FFP penalty will be 12 points deduction, 3 of which would be suspended.

As regards EFL, it sounds like it wasn't them that was the blocker previously - it looks like Carroll was trying to get some sort of a deal as regards his commute from Essex, which has now been resolved. No idea what form that might take - maybe making his report-in time later to give him time to trek across? Bus fares? No clue....

https://twitter.com/cfridayjourno/statu ... 0850733058

Told the reasons the Carroll deal fell through initially were issues regarding location/commute to training.

Agreement has now been reached regarding his travel arrangements from his home.

[Sutekh]

out of interest and off topic, what is the "plus 3"?

Assuming you mean from "9 plus 3 penalty" in the previous tweet - it has been strongly suggested that our FFP penalty will be 12 points deduction, 3 of which would be suspended.

As regards EFL, it sounds like it wasn't them that was the blocker previously - it looks like Carroll was trying to get some sort of a deal as regards his commute from Essex, which has now been resolved. No idea what form that might take - maybe making his report-in time later to give him time to trek across? Bus fares? No clue....

https://twitter.com/cfridayjourno/statu ... 0850733058

Told the reasons the Carroll deal fell through initially were issues regarding location/commute to training.

Agreement has now been reached regarding his travel arrangements from his home.

So will that mean he can play on Saturday?

[muirinho]

out of interest and off topic, what is the "plus 3"?

Assuming you mean from "9 plus 3 penalty" in the previous tweet - it has been strongly suggested that our FFP penalty will be 12 points deduction, 3 of which would be suspended.

As regards EFL, it sounds like it wasn't them that was the blocker previously - it looks like Carroll was trying to get some sort of a deal as regards his commute from Essex, which has now been resolved. No idea what form that might take - maybe making his report-in time later to give him time to trek across? Bus fares? No clue....

https://twitter.com/cfridayjourno/statu ... 0850733058

Told the reasons the Carroll deal fell through initially were issues regarding location/commute to training.

Agreement has now been reached regarding his travel arrangements from his home.

So will that mean he can play on Saturday?

Assuming he's fit enough, he could.

[skipper]

So will that mean he can play on Saturday?

Assuming he's fit enough, he could.

I hope he's been keeping himself in shape, and won't take weeks to get match fit.

[windermereROYAL]

Remember how long it took Scott Dann to get fit.

[Hound]

Remember how long it took Scott Dann to get fit.

Something weird with that - if he had been expecting to play again and keeping in shape properly, no way it should have taken him that long. Reckon he'd either all but retired or had been carrying an injury

[Brogue]

Remember how long it took Scott Dann to get fit.

Something weird with that - if he had been expecting to play again and keeping in shape properly, no way it should have taken him that long. Reckon he'd either all but retired or had been carrying an injury

Mick Gooding said he bumped into him in the carpark a couple of weeks before his first start, he said he picked up a niggle whilst getting up to speed. that was the apparent cause for his delayed debut.

[Zip]

So fingers crossed with all going well Carroll should be fit just in time for our Easter fixtures then.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Do we really play to his strengths? Attacking midfielders who like to play off the striker, instead of wingers who get to the byline and deliver crosses?

[RoyalBlue]

Interesting* and will be happy if it is confirmed today/tomorrow - would imagine he may even be stuck on the bench against Forest on Saturday.

.

More likely 3-4 weeks of decent training first. Can't see them wanting to risk breaking him the first time he steps on the pitch. Mind you, given how many of our players seem to be made from fine bone china he might, by comparison, look like he's made of Titanium!

[RoyalBlue]

Remember how long it took Scott Dann to get fit.

Something weird with that - if he had been expecting to play again and keeping in shape properly, no way it should have taken him that long. Reckon he'd either all but retired or had been carrying an injury

Scott Dann actually partnered up with another Crystal Palace player released last summer (can't remember who) and they hired a personal trainer and pitch in order to try to maintain their fitness levels. As he said though, there's a big difference between that and match fitness.

[6ft Kerplunk]

Cahill. Dann should ask for a refund.

[Once upon a time .]

The other player Scott Dann joined up with and hired a personal trainer was Gary Cahill .

[Millsy]

Shocks me how if you're a professional sportsperson you don't know how to keep yourself fit or don't try to.

Granted, match fitness is an extra level but it shouldn't be much of a leap from basic HIT and other training to step up to being match fit. I just don't get it.

[morganb]

Confrimed / Confimred:

Welcome to Reading Football Club, Andy!

We are delighted to announce the signing of former-Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll, who signs on a short-term deal until mid-January.

https://twitter.com/ReadingFC/status/14 ... 5621512202

[Brogue]

That’s a great bit of business to be fair. Till mid jan is a very clever move. Completely zero risk and if we can get a few games out of him between now and then, then fair play. And considering he will have done a medical before signing the club must be confident that he will be up to speed fairly quickly otherwise it just would t be worthwhile. If he impresses we extend till the summer.