Greatest RFC XI Debate - left wingers

[SpaceCruiser]

Cool, we're on the last position to decide our greatest XI. Just thought I'd trot it out while the voting for the two forward positions was ongoing. Personally I think there's only one man for this position, step forward one Michael Gilkes. I welcome any argument if you disagree.

[Salford Royal]

Theres only one Michael Meaker.

[Dirk Gently]

Personally I think Gilkesey was more effective as an attacking full-back than as an out-and-out winger, but let that pass.

For the sake of that goal against millwall I'll nominate Bobby Convey.

For the sake of making up the numbers I'll also nominate Martin Williams & that "wee Scottish lad", Byron Glasgow.

[SpaceCruiser]

Theres only one Michael Meaker.

He played on the right, not on the left.

[Behindu]

Stephen Hunt

Only man to do it at the top level....

[wolsey]

Cool, we're on the last position to decide our greatest XI. Just thought I'd trot it out while the voting for the two forward positions was ongoing. Personally I think there's only one man for this position, step forward one Michael Gilkes. I welcome any argument if you disagree.

Other options:

Tom Jenkins - too old for the vast majority of people here to have heard about, let alone remember.

Paul Canoville - would have been, had he played enough games instead of being knee capped by Swindlehurst. A hairs on the back of the neck type player who would be one of the very few of our past players who would have a sniff of getting into the current squad.

after that I'm struggling to remember any left wingers let alone good ones.

So we're left with Gilksey who probably put ten times the number of crosses into the Tilehurst End than he did create goal scoring chances. Still he appears to have acquired cult status on here, so a vote probably isn't necessary.

[Behindu]

I'd forgotten Cannoville !
Great player, tragically cut down in his prime. Agree he would have probably fitted into the current squad.

[SpaceCruiser]

I was lucky to see some of Paul Canoville, great player, shame he couldn't play more games. I'd nominate him, but not sure if it's appropriate seeing that I've discounted loanees (because they didn't play enough games and weren't owned by Reading......)

[Fred Sharpe's Nose]

Hunt and Convey can rightly wear the shirt with pride, but in my humble opinion no single Reading player has ever approached Michael Gilkes' ability to excite the crowd. The whole of Elm Park was electrified (including the away end, with fear) whenever he had the ball at his feet and started a run at goal.

Only one winner here - Michael Gilkes

[wolsey]

Hunt and Convey can rightly wear the shirt with pride, but in my humble opinion no single Reading player has ever approached Michael Gilkes' ability to excite the crowd. The whole of Elm Park was electrified (including the away end, with fear) whenever he had the ball at his feet and started a run at goal.

Only one winner here - Michael Gilkes

In the absence of any real alternative, I agree

But, perhaps I'm being jaundiced here, and I know I am in an overwhelming minority, my over-riding memories of Gilkes will always be the excitement when he picked up the ball by the Southbank near the half way line, push the ball ten yards down the line, zoom past the defenders who generally had 5 yard head starts, only to see him put the cross nearer the programme shop than the six yard box.

[Dirk Gently]

Hunt and Convey can rightly wear the shirt with pride, but in my humble opinion no single Reading player has ever approached Michael Gilkes' ability to excite the crowd. The whole of Elm Park was electrified (including the away end, with fear) whenever he had the ball at his feet and started a run at goal.

Only one winner here - Michael Gilkes

In the absence of any real alternative, I agree

But, perhaps I'm being jaundiced here, and I know I am in an overwhelming minority, my over-riding memories of Gilkes will always be the excitement when he picked up the ball by the Southbank near the half way line, push the ball ten yards down the line, zoom past the defenders who generally had 5 yard head starts, only to see him deliver the cross nearer the programme shop than the six yard box.

Nope you.re right - that sums Gilksey up in a nutshell. Blinding pace, great excitement, but very rarely a worthwhile end-product.

[SpaceCruiser]

Hunt and Convey can rightly wear the shirt with pride, but in my humble opinion no single Reading player has ever approached Michael Gilkes' ability to excite the crowd. The whole of Elm Park was electrified (including the away end, with fear) whenever he had the ball at his feet and started a run at goal.

Only one winner here - Michael Gilkes

In the absence of any real alternative, I agree

But, perhaps I'm being jaundiced here, and I know I am in an overwhelming minority, my over-riding memories of Gilkes will always be the excitement when he picked up the ball by the Southbank near the half way line, push the ball ten yards down the line, zoom past the defenders who generally had 5 yard head starts, only to see him deliver the cross nearer the programme shop than the six yard box.

Nope you.re right - that sums Gilksey up in a nutshell. Blinding pace, great excitement, but very rarely a worthwhile end-product.

Yeah, I'd agree with that too, but he played his best football for us in 1993/4 and 1994/5.

[Behindu]

I was lucky to see some of Paul Canoville, great player, shame he couldn't play more games. I'd nominate him, but not sure if it's appropriate seeing that I've discounted loanees (because they didn't play enough games and weren't owned by Reading......)

Cannovile wasn't a loanee, so no reason to exclude him

[Behindu]

Theres only one Michael Meaker.

He played on the right, not on the left.

He played on the left,
He played on the right.
Wherever we played him
Meaker was shite.

[wolsey]

I was lucky to see some of Paul Canoville, great player, shame he couldn't play more games. I'd nominate him, but not sure if it's appropriate seeing that I've discounted loanees (because they didn't play enough games and weren't owned by Reading......)

Cannovile wasn't a loanee, so no reason to exclude him

I thought he was excluding him for the number of games played rather than status

[SpaceCruiser]

I was lucky to see some of Paul Canoville, great player, shame he couldn't play more games. I'd nominate him, but not sure if it's appropriate seeing that I've discounted loanees (because they didn't play enough games and weren't owned by Reading......)

Cannovile wasn't a loanee, so no reason to exclude him

I didn't say he was a loanee. I was saying that loanees usually played few games and Canoville only played a few games before his injury. Mass Sarr was excellent for two games, maybe he should also be considered?!?

But as we've a lack of good wingers so far to consider, maybe Canoville will get in.

By the way, I think you misunderstood the last part of my post. I was saying that loanees were discounted for two reasons: not enough games and were not owned by Reading.

[Behindu]

I don't think number of games has any relevance - hence I didn;t comment on it.
Loanees should definitely be excluded, but if a player impressed over 20 games then let him go in the vote. He won;t win, but no reason to pick a random number and only include players who have more appearances than that.

[Skyline]

Hunt and Convey can rightly wear the shirt with pride, but in my humble opinion no single Reading player has ever approached Michael Gilkes' ability to excite the crowd. The whole of Elm Park was electrified (including the away end, with fear) whenever he had the ball at his feet and started a run at goal.

Only one winner here - Michael Gilkes

In the absence of any real alternative, I agree

But, perhaps I'm being jaundiced here, and I know I am in an overwhelming minority, my over-riding memories of Gilkes will always be the excitement when he picked up the ball by the Southbank near the half way line, push the ball ten yards down the line, zoom past the defenders who generally had 5 yard head starts, only to see him deliver the cross nearer the programme shop than the six yard box.

Nope you.re right - that sums Gilksey up in a nutshell. Blinding pace, great excitement, but very rarely a worthwhile end-product.

Blimey, how times change. When I mentioned something along these lines a couple of years ago on here I was absolutely crucified for my 'heretical' views.

I used to love watching Gilkesy run with the ball, but lets just say I wasn't too concerned when he played against us for Wolves in the Archie game...

For my money, Convey is the best left winger I've seen, although it does seem to be one position where there is a dearth of really excellent candidates.

[knights_1990]

Stevey hunt is the obvious choice here. He has proven it at top flight.

[wolsey]

Stevey hunt is the obvious choice here. He has proven it at top flight.

No he hasn't. He has had half a season appearing in the Premier league. He has looked competent in most of those games, influential in a handful, and out of his depth in one or two.

And if the sole criteria for selection is that a player must have played for Reading in the top flight, I think we would know the make up of the team..but thankfully it's not!