DONE DEAL - Mathieu Manset

[Svlad Cjelli]

Dude's nowhere near fit so I urge everyone to make no judgements for a while yet, possibly even until next season.

Agreed, but I'm intrigued why he's not fit, as he's not had any injuried and he'd been turning out for Hereford every game.

Is Tier 2 fitness so much better than Tier 4 fitness? You'd think that fitness is something that any club at any (professional) level could manage properly.

[Royal Rother]

Maybe he can't train much because of a dodgy leg, hence the strapping.

[Svlad Cjelli]

In which case why is he playing and being selected. Injured OR fit to play - you can't have both!

[rfcjoe]

This^ He look liked he had played at match before he came on. I saw him lean on his middle leg stand when he was out of breath towards the end.

[facaldaqui]

Brilliant signing IMO opinion but still can't help thinking though that given the position we're in, something a little more immediate is needed more than the rather obvious building for 2 years ahead.

And I can't help a little note of cynicism creeping into my mind about our recent signings, as to whether they're speculative business investments rather than purely sporting investments. Madejski the businessman must be rather tickled by Reading's recent success in buying low selling high. With the sorts of profits we've made on the likes of Kitson, Sonko, Shorey, Doyle, Bikey, and Hunt, he may think it's worth risking having the odd Mooney or Bennet on the books.

[facaldaqui]

Dude's nowhere near fit so I urge everyone to make no judgements for a while yet, possibly even until next season.

Agreed, but I'm intrigued why he's not fit, as he's not had any injuried and he'd been turning out for Hereford every game.

Is Tier 2 fitness so much better than Tier 4 fitness? You'd think that fitness is something that any club at any (professional) level could manage properly.

And Hereford are managed by the ex-physio, aren't they?

Mind you, did anyone see Manset's goal against Stockport last week? Very fast work from the lad, so fitness issues aren't affecting his speed--maybe just his stamina. Or perhaps he will always be an endomorph, like John Parkin or Micky Quinn.

[Forbury Lion]

Brilliant signing IMO opinion but still can't help thinking though that given the position we're in, something a little more immediate is needed more than the rather obvious building for 2 years ahead.

And I can't help a little note of cynicism creeping into my mind about our recent signings, as to whether they're speculative business investments rather than purely sporting investments. Madejski the businessman must be rather tickled by Reading's recent success in buying low selling high. With the sorts of profits we've made on the likes of Kitson, Sonko, Shorey, Doyle, Bikey, and Hunt, he may think it's worth risking having the odd Mooney or Bennet on the books.

I don't have a problem being a selling club as long as we have a steady stream of talent comming though and we don't leave ourselves exposed on the pitch by selling before replacements have come though... the club have to have a balance, for example don't cash in and sell Shane Long until we have at least one proven goalscorer banging them in, ideally two.

We might even attract young talent who sign for us over other clubs because we can nurture them and develop them into players that higher level/higher wages paying teams come in for.

[facaldaqui]

Brilliant signing IMO opinion but still can't help thinking though that given the position we're in, something a little more immediate is needed more than the rather obvious building for 2 years ahead.

And I can't help a little note of cynicism creeping into my mind about our recent signings, as to whether they're speculative business investments rather than purely sporting investments. Madejski the businessman must be rather tickled by Reading's recent success in buying low selling high. With the sorts of profits we've made on the likes of Kitson, Sonko, Shorey, Doyle, Bikey, and Hunt, he may think it's worth risking having the odd Mooney or Bennet on the books.

I don't have a problem being a selling club as long as we have a steady stream of talent comming though and we don't leave ourselves exposed on the pitch by selling before replacements have come though... the club have to have a balance, for example don't cash in and sell Shane Long until we have at least one proven goalscorer banging them in, ideally two.

We might even attract young talent who sign for us over other clubs because we can nurture them and develop them into players that higher level/higher wages paying teams come in for.

I agree with that, but surely what we need in a January window is a player who can affect the present season. To be fair, that was probably what was behind going for Wright-Phillips.

[Scarface]

I agree with that, but surely what we need in a January window is a player who can affect the present season. To be fair, that was probably what was behind going for Wright-Phillips.

Exactly the reason why I'm pissed off with the 2 strikers we've signed!!

[ZacNaloen]

Dude's nowhere near fit so I urge everyone to make no judgements for a while yet, possibly even until next season.

Agreed, but I'm intrigued why he's not fit, as he's not had any injuried and he'd been turning out for Hereford every game.

Is Tier 2 fitness so much better than Tier 4 fitness? You'd think that fitness is something that any club at any (professional) level could manage properly.

And Hereford are managed by the ex-physio, aren't they?

Mind you, did anyone see Manset's goal against Stockport last week? Very fast work from the lad, so fitness issues aren't affecting his speed--maybe just his stamina. Or perhaps he will always be an endomorph, like John Parkin or Micky Quinn.

From the looks of him he spends too much time doing weights in the gym, so it's the wrong type of fitness and hence, the low stamina. Long had the same problem when everyone was calling him fat, too muscle in the wrong places.

[Svlad Cjelli]

I agree with that, but surely what we need in a January window is a player who can affect the present season. To be fair, that was probably what was behind going for Wright-Phillips.

Exactly the reason why I'm pissed off with the 2 strikers we've signed!!

Yep - not every signing needs to be a long-term, strategic one. There is also a need for players to fill a short-term need (like Owusu did).

[papereyes]

From the looks of him he spends too much time doing weights in the gym, so it's the wrong type of fitness and hence, the low stamina. Long had the same problem when everyone was calling him fat, too muscle in the wrong places.

It's just different types of fitness, isn't it?

And, I guess, conditioning - one might be fit but the peak speeds and lengths of time required to go at that speed - and still be good at football! - must be markedly different from League 2 to Championship.

[bigmike]

I think he did alright bearing in mind that he hadnt trained with the team and didnt know anyone.. His fitness did look a bit lacking but that can and will be worked on..

All in all he looks promising

[Hoop Blah]

...perhaps he will always be an endomorph, like John Parkin or Micky Quinn.

This is my inclination. Some players just aren't, or at least don't look fit.

Litte was much the same. As were the likes of Le Tissier, Waddle, Trundle, Claridge and I'm sure many others I can't think of off the top of my head.

It doesn't always mean they aren't fit, or aren't trying, it's usually just their style. It could also be that he's still growing into his adult body. It might take him a bit of time to get the stamina or look of agility to go with it. I don't buy the excuse that he's making a step up from League 2 though, he's been a full time pro and getting match fit is one thing that ability doesn't stop.

It might also be that it's something he can't or won't improve and that's why he might never be as good a player as his potential would allow.

I thought he did ok considering the circumstances though.

[brendywendy]

lol at every one mouthing off about this bloke- none of you know whats going on, none of you know if hes fit, or not, and why not.
andyour specualtion aint up to much either.

[Platypuss]

Close the forum!

[Stretts]

I don't buy the excuse that he's making a step up from League 2 though, he's been a full time pro and getting match fit is one thing that ability doesn't stop.

Except that Championship level football is far quicker than League 2 football.

Despite playing in just about every game for Hereford this season, he still looks knackered after 70 minutes - and that's at League 2 level. There's no doubt that he has some talent though and hopefully he'll be able to work more on his fitness with Reading.

[brendywendy]

Close the forum!

[UpNorth]

In Brian's post match interview he clearly stated that they needed to work on Manset's fitness.

[Snowball]

I agree with that, but surely what we need in a January window is a player who can affect the present season. To be fair, that was probably what was behind going for Wright-Phillips.

Exactly the reason why I'm pissed off with the 2 strikers we've signed!!

Maybe we could offer to take him on loan, pay 100K and all his wages, and agree that if he's out injured we pay half-wages

For me that would be perfect and give time for the new guys to get up to speed