Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading rumoured to be one of three championship clubs chasing former Reading centre back Rob Dickie, 24.

Sutekh wrote:Reading rumoured to be one of three championship clubs chasing former Reading centre back Rob Dickie, 24.

JLow said nothing in it

IMHO a bit like Cooper but not quite as big.
Not sure it is a position where we need reinforcements with other areas a bit more pressing.

South Coast Royal wrote:IMHO a bit like Cooper but not quite as big.
Not sure it is a position where we need reinforcements with other areas a bit more pressing.

We’ve got 2 experienced Centre backs, one making the jump from rookie to regular and then a lot of raw promising kids. I’d say we are definitely one short....

would be amazed if we are actually looking at buying anyone at all at the moment tbh

Nameless wrote:

South Coast Royal wrote:IMHO a bit like Cooper but not quite as big.
Not sure it is a position where we need reinforcements with other areas a bit more pressing.

We’ve got 2 experienced Centre backs, one making the jump from rookie to regular and then a lot of raw promising kids. I’d say we are definitely one short....

Are you suggesting that Miazga won't join us for the longer term?
If so I would be disappointed.

Do you think Blackett will be leaving?
The same Blackett that the fans have taken to a bit more this season and (in some fans' eyes) can cover at centre-back.

Blackett has turned down every contract we've put in front of him including a much improved one offered him in January when the Turkish clubs were sniffing around. Pointless chasing a player who doesnt want to stay.

and we're skint

suspect its more likely Osho will sign a new contract than Blackett tbh

From Despair To Where? wrote:Blackett has turned down every contract we've put in front of him including a much improved one offered him in January when the Turkish clubs were sniffing around. Pointless chasing a player who doesnt want to stay.

Agreed m8 but some fans seem to have taken more to him this season when he has been IMHO just marginally better than his previous average-to-poor.

I know it’s highly unlikely but I’d love us to sign Miazga permanently - he’s our best cb. Despite being on loan, seems like he cares about the club & fits in. Also, gives a lot of presence & is nasty on the pitch which is what we were lacking originally. Moore Miazga with the academy lads behind would be my preference as Morrison isn’t getting any younger.

We probably aren’t the most attractive proposition for Miazga now, but at 24 he might want to settle down

I would rate our chances of getting Miazga back at a little over 0%.

He will have a flock of clubs after him across Europe. Especially as he won't be overly expensive.

has anyone watched Dickie this season? I know the twitterverse has a bit of a love in with him. Does he live up to the hype?

Hound wrote:and we're skint

I don't think that is the case, we are just having to work within FFP rules. The Chinese have never shown an unwillingness to put money in.

FFP rules are going to have to be relaxed to allow owners to inject cash to keeps clubs afloat.

I would love to see Miazga sign but I can’t see how this would be affordable.
Blackett is going. This leaves us with Moore, Morrison and McIntyre.
Who is next in line? Probably Osho would is quite small for a centre back. I think he is out of contract this summer too.

Is there a real problem, in this difficult financial period, with only having 3 first team CBs? I mean, we have younger players who can fill in, but thats at least a strong 3.

South Coast Royal wrote:IMHO a bit like Cooper but not quite as big.
Not sure it is a position where we need reinforcements with other areas a bit more pressing.

Nothing like Cooper in that he is good with the ball at his feet.

NewCorkSeth wrote:Is there a real problem, in this difficult financial period, with only having 3 first team CBs? I mean, we have younger players who can fill in, but thats at least a strong 3.

3 is ok, but McIntyre is very untested, Morro is getting on and Moore has an injury issue can be quite hit and miss and is realistically still one of our saleable assets.

When was the last time we felt comfortable all season with 3 CBs? The injuries and form issues always pile up. Plus we have started 3 CBs a few times.

Moore really needs to get his shoulder sorted out. It’s been about two years now.
From what I have seen. McIntyre looks very promising. He looks good enough to my untrained eyes. He has been injury prone though.

So we do need another centre back especially as Ian has mentioned we do play three at the back at times.

Also, always said we never should have sold Dickie and should have given him a proper go.

Snowflake Royal wrote:

NewCorkSeth wrote:Is there a real problem, in this difficult financial period, with only having 3 first team CBs? I mean, we have younger players who can fill in, but thats at least a strong 3.

3 is ok, but McIntyre is very untested, Morro is getting on and Moore has an injury issue can be quite hit and miss and is realistically still one of our saleable assets.

When was the last time we felt comfortable all season with 3 CBs? The injuries and form issues always pile up. Plus we have started 3 CBs a few times.

I just mean given the circumstances, we need to cut wages, is signing a CB the best idea when Moore, who is probably our highest paid player, Morrison and McIntyre all *should* fit the bill?

Some cover from below could help too.