Brian Howard

[Graffito]

for me it is not whether we get BH but we strengthen at this time. As we have still not strengthened our team it shouts out that the money has indeed dried uop and NC is either looking to offload the club or the Liebherrs are not sanctioning any other funds. The complacency of the fans on here saying we have a good enough squad and the others are not stronger is amazing to me. i dont care if the others are not adding to their squad i want to turn up to the bar fight with a tank and the best fighters in the world, not me and my mate who used to be handy 5 years ago.

 

It doesn't shout out that the money has dried up. You're guessing. Why would Adkins enquire about the player if there were no money to pay his wages?

[um pahars]

yeah, look at most benches...infact, ALL benches in this league and I would feel even worse than ours....we are league 1, we have largely league 1 players...the standard is generally ****e

 

Firstly, I don't think we have largely League 1 players, which is why I have been underwhelmed by some of our recent performances. I would have though Davis, Butterfield, Fonte, Jaidi, Chaplow, Lallana, Chamberlain, Guly, Lambert (and maybe Harding, Hammond & Barnard) would be able to handle it in the league above (and many have played in that league for a number of years).

 

I agree most benches in this division are sh**e (and would extend that to say most teams are sh**e), but I would have thought that given our stated ambitions and our hinted resources (as well as looking at our gates etc), then we should be looking to have squads much better to ensure we meet our 5 year plan.

 

Simply saying we're marginally better than all the other sh**e out there doesn't really resonate with a 5 year plan to get in the Premiership.

 

I'm not asking for Premiership Loan signings (nor the splashing of thousands) merely some introductions in specific areas to add or support to the first team who will make a contribution in these last hectic months.

 

However, I do agree with your last but that the standard is generally sh**e, which is why I wouldn't have thought it would take much (given our resources) to get out of this division.

[teamsaint]

Firstly, I don't think we have largely League 1 players, which is why I have been underwhelmed by some of our recent performances. I would have though Davis, Butterfield, Fonte, Jaidi, Chaplow, Lallana, Chamberlain, Guly, Lambert (and maybe Harding, Hammond & Barnard) would be able to handle it in the league above (and many have played in that league for a number of years).

 

I agree most benches in this division are sh**e (and would extend that to say most teams are sh**e), but I would have thought that given our stated ambitions and our hinted resources (as well as looking at our gates etc), then we should be looking to have squads much better to ensure we meet our 5 year plan.

 

Simply saying we're marginally better than all the other sh**e out there doesn't really resonate with a 5 year plan to get in the Premiership.

 

I'm not asking for Premiership Loan signings (nor the splashing of thousands) merely some introductions in specific areas to add or support to the first team who will make a contribution in these last hectic months.

 

However, I do agree with your last but that the standard is generally sh**e, which is why I wouldn't have thought it would take much (given our resources) to get out of this division.

 

I agree with most of what you say..but in fact if we had made anything like a decent start to the season,(12-14 points from the first 7 games)automatic promotion would be looking comfortably within our grasp, and we would have been on track for a more than respectable 90 points.

[um pahars]

I agree with most of what you say..but in fact if we had made anything like a decent start to the season,(12-14 points from the first 7 games)

 

I thought we only had something like 5 points after the first 7 games!!!!!!!

[NickG]

find it amazing that players who have playe reasonable amount of first team football in higher division aren't good enough for our bench?

 

Options up front?

 

Guly was first 11 but out injured, replace by LB who is scoring for fun.

Two subs - both better pedigree/experience than Antonio

Lallana / Ox-C coul both easily play CF if we had injuries during the game.

 

If we miss out, and still in good position, it won't be due to lack of squad.

[tommi]

You can improve a squad simply by adding to it. The only way to improve a team is by adding better players.

[NickG]

I thought we only had something like 5 points after the first 7 games!!!!!!!

 

yep, 5 from 7 - and we were alreay 8 points behind Peterborough and 9 behind Huddersfield

[OldNick]

find it amazing that players who have playe reasonable amount of first team football in higher division aren't good enough for our bench?

 

Options up front?

 

Guly was first 11 but out injured, replace by LB who is scoring for fun.

Two subs - both better pedigree/experience than Antonio

Lallana / Ox-C coul both easily play CF if we had injuries during the game.

 

If we miss out, and still in good position, it won't be due to lack of squad.

So if RL gets injured (please let it not be so)we can play AL or OX up against the big centre back pairings? Might work, their pace and trickery against the brawn.

[um pahars]

find it amazing that players who have playe reasonable amount of first team football in higher division aren't good enough for our bench?

 

But have you seen our bench for recent games??

 

Total dearth of talent, no impact players,no one seemingly capable of changing a game. With a few injuries and suspensions we have looked extremely threadbare. I find that hard to reconcile with an ambitious Club looking to be in the Premiership in 4 years!

 

Options up front?

 

Guly was first 11 but out injured, replace by LB who is scoring for fun.

 

And now we have absolutely no cover for our front two, and with so many games in such as short period, I would have thought that is quite a risky position to be in. I know it will be a hard task keeping players happy if only 2 are going to play, but we don't seem to have anyone (temporarily in to help us, or up and coming) to help out. Difficult to reconcile with our ambitions to be playing Chelsea in 4 years.

 

Two subs - both better pedigree/experience than Antonio

 

Jury's out on that one and I would have to say that given Adkin's own confidence with the players (he has started others in front of them) they don't fill me with confidence. I'm not knocking the two guys, as they haven't been given much of a chance, but if Adkins has his doubts about playing them for the full 90, then I think I'm allowed some as well.

 

Lallana / Ox-C coul both easily play CF if we had injuries during the game.

 

But in doing so you are totally upsetting the balance of the team and moving them from their best positions to do a stopgap job upfront, effectively weakening two positions. Much better would be a like for like if we had the strength in depth.

 

If we miss out, and still in good position, it won't be due to lack of squad.

 

I think it will be due to a number of issues, but a lack of depth could well be one of them (particularly with this mental run in).

Edited 19 March, 2011 by um pahars

[Wade Garrett]

I am going to keep my powder dry until the emergency loan period ends next Thursday at 5pm but don't ridicule OldNicks comment. Look at what is going on, or more to the point the lack of it!

 

I've got to be honest, but my reaction when I heard of the quibbling of Howard's price (£300k), was that maybe the Liebherr 5 year project has hit the buffers.

[Thedelldays]

F

I'm not asking for Premiership Loan signings (nor the splashing of thousands) merely some introductions in specific areas to add or support to the first team who will make a contribution in these last hectic months.

.

 

so, we sign n'guessen, a player from the league above who has been in and out of the team...we are lacking/not good enough

 

..we dont sign howard, who has been in and out of the team and their manager of a team not as good as the one n'guessen is from cant wait to get rid....we are skint/lacking ambition/struggling etc

 

why is this..?

[um pahars]

so, we sign n'guessen, a player from the league above who has been in and out of the team...we are lacking/not good enough

 

..we dont sign howard, who has been in and out of the team and their manager of a team not as good as the one n'guessen is from cant wait to get rid....we are skint/lacking ambition/struggling etc

 

why is this..?

 

I don't particularly want to get in to a crucifying N'Guessen post, so I'll say the jury is out for me, but 8 league starts this season for Saints, Leicester & S****horpe combined hasn't really got me salivating. An OK addition to the squad, probably, but nothing more than that. Certainly doesn't "boost" our bench & striking capabilities and not sure it fits in with the Premiership in 4 years mantra.

 

I'm also not chomping on the bit for Howard as an individual, I'm just saying that looking at our threadbare bench in recent games, and thinking of injuries, suspensions and the hectic run in, then it might not be a bad idea (or time) to look to bolster the team in a couple of key areas. If we are to believe that we want the Premiership in 4 years, then I sometimes find it difficult to reconcile this statement of intent with some of our actions (or inactions).

[Thedelldays]

does it not alarm you that howard has been injured alot and that his manager is publically trying to flog him..?

[Gingeletiss]

for me it is not whether we get BH but we strengthen at this time. As we have still not strengthened our team it shouts out that the money has indeed dried uop and NC is either looking to offload the club or the Liebherrs are not sanctioning any other funds. The complacency of the fans on here saying we have a good enough squad and the others are not stronger is amazing to me. i dont care if the others are not adding to their squad i want to turn up to the bar fight with a tank and the best fighters in the world, not me and my mate who used to be handy 5 years ago.

 

Sorry Nick, what a load of cack!! Have you forgotten the proposed investment into the training facilities! or the amount paid in signings on this season. We are league 1, we have been told the club will be run as a buisness, do you really wish us to emulate the fishy few down the road? lets just spend within our means methinks.

[Saint_Jonny]

11 pages. Idiots.

[NickG]

Um, please excuse fairly short blunt reply - only because short of time:

 

1) Disagree. Of course could be better. Last week had bench of 4 players played decent amount of times at this or higher level in first teams, and couple of promising youngsters.

 

2) I said pedigree and experience is better than Antonio - it clearly is for both our new signing subs - I hope they do as much if not more than he did. People still seem to be after names they have heard of forgetting where we are.

 

3) An injuries to someone like Lambert will clearly upset the balance. I do not think many defences would be happy facing N'Guessan and Lallana on wings and Barnard and Ox-C in centre. That is why we have options up front.

 

4) of course a squad could always be better - if we swapped ours for Man U we should walk promotion. As said above after 7 games we were 9 behind Hudersfield an 8 behind Peterborough after 7 games. Now, a win and 2 draws from games in hand we will be 2nd. If we miss out it will be due to the start (another debate) or something that hasn't yet happened - but don't think it will be weak squad personally

[um pahars]

does it not alarm you that howard has been injured alot and that his manager is publically trying to flog him..?

 

To be honest he's been off my radar since his Barnsley days although I do remember him getting a broken jaw at some point during his Reading career.

 

44 games in the 2009/10 season & 22 this season???? Not sure what that says for this season, out of favour, injured, suspensions??? Perhaps making more of a contribution than N'Guessan?????

 

However, given our fragility in the middle of the park, he might not be a bad shout.

[Thedelldays]

To be honest he's been off my radar since his Barnsley days although I do remember him getting a broken jaw at some point during his Reading career.

 

44 games in the 2009/10 season & 22 this season???? Not sure what that says for this season, out of favour, injured, suspensions??? Perhaps making more of a contribution than N'Guessan?????

 

However, given our fragility in the middle of the park, he might not be a bad shout.

 

but he cant get into the mighty reading team..that plays a half injured player ahead of him (as they have stated themselves) and their manager openly says he can go......

 

not too sure not getting him is a sign of any lack of ambition etc...

[OldNick]

does it not alarm you that howard has been injured alot and that his manager is publically trying to flog him..?

do you get the concept that we need to get promotion this season to fulfill the clubs aims? If so how can you not see that we are weak in certain areas and they are crucial areas. IMO BH is a very good footballer and may not fit in at Reading but was a superb player that made Barnsley tick and also weighed in with goals. To me it is glaringly obvious that we need more bodies (whether it is BH or not is not the point) and the pressure and mental energy needed to get into 2nd place will drain the squad. I dont care that ours is the most expensive already, i just want us to amke absolutely cetrtain we are not playing L1 football next season. if we are still here, you will not be watching the players like AL etc then

[Thedelldays]

do you get the concept that we need to get promotion this season to fulfill the clubs aims? If so how can you not see that we are weak in certain areas and they are crucial areas. IMO BH is a very good footballer and may not fit in at Reading but was a superb player that made Barnsley tick and also weighed in with goals. To me it is glaringly obvious that we need more bodies (whether it is BH or not is not the point) and the pressure and mental energy needed to get into 2nd place will drain the squad. I dont care that ours is the most expensive already, i just want us to amke absolutely cetrtain we are not playing L1 football next season. if we are still here, you will not be watching the players like AL etc then

yes I do..but that does hinge on getting howard does it..

[OldNick]

yes I do..but that does hinge on getting howard does it..

no it does not but having weaknesses that should be mended is careless.

[Thedelldays]

no it does not but having weaknesses that should be mended is careless.

 

what weakness...really..?

cant lallana play the same role as howard in the middle (howard does not really track back by the way)..?

OxO can deffo play there...isnt guly, the brilliant guly supposed to really be an attacking midfielder..?

 

how many do we want ffs

[OldNick]

what weakness...really..?

cant lallana play the same role as howard in the middle (howard does not really track back by the way)..?

OxO can deffo play there...isnt guly, the brilliant guly supposed to really be an attacking midfielder..?

 

how many do we want ffs

you stay in your world DD where AL could play in centre midfield. You are happy with what we have got and I hope you have got it right. Only time will tell

[um pahars]

1) Disagree. Of course could be better. Last week had bench of 4 players played decent amount of times at this or higher level in first teams, and couple of promising youngsters.

 

Last week's bench:

 

Seabourne (defender, lower leagues)

Richardson (defender, decent quality)

Gobern (unproven)

Forecast (enough said)

Forte (unproven for me and playing bit parts for Scunny doesn't make me wet my lips in anticipation)

Martin (defender, starting out)

N'Guessan (unproven, as posted above)

 

No real attacking options, no real cover for middle of the park, none have made an impact, heavy on defenders and nothing there with the exception of Richardson that gives me overwhelming confidence. Gobern has shown glimpses in recent games, but has also struggled in others. We need here and now players for this run in.

 

All about opinions, but that is a pretty poor bench, particularly when judged against our stated ambitions and resources.

 

2) I said pedigree and experience is better than Antonio - it clearly is for both our new signing subs - I hope they do as much if not more than he did. People still seem to be after names they have heard of forgetting where we are.

 

N'Guessan has started 8 games this season & his only decent run was at Lincoln and Forte has been a bit part player for S****horpe (43 starts over 3 1/2 seasons).

 

They might come good, but let's not over-hype their pedigree and experience.

 

3) An injuries to someone like Lambert will clearly upset the balance. I do not think many defences would be happy facing N'Guessan and Lallana on wings and Barnard and Ox-C in centre. That is why we have options up front.

 

All about opinions, but we shouldn't be looking to move our two most creative wide players to do a bodge job up front due to having no real cover.

 

I haven't seen Lallana or Oxo have a decent game up front when we have re jigged part way through a match and maintain a like for like swao would be better as opposed to weakening up front and wide positions by doing a bodge job.

 

4) of course a squad could always be better - if we swapped ours for Man U we should walk promotion.

 

But given our "resources" and given our publicly stated ambitions we have suddenly looked somwewhat threadbare when faced with a few injuries & suspensions. We also looked weak when Lallana was absent for a period. For such an ambitious Club, we do seem to be scraping around a bit.

 

As said above after 7 games we were 9 behind Hudersfield an 8 behind Peterborough after 7 games. Now, a win and 2 draws from games in hand we will be 2nd. If we miss out it will be due to the start (another debate) or something that hasn't yet happened - but don't think it will be weak squad personally

 

There have been times already this season when I think our weakness in depth has cost us and I think our biggest challenge is still to come. With injuries, suspensions and a hectic run of games our lack of quality in depth might come back to haunt us.

 

Along with that will be a number of reasons which will be aired if we fail to go up.

[um pahars]

but he cant get into the mighty reading team..that plays a half injured player ahead of him (as they have stated themselves) and their manager openly says he can go......

 

not too sure not getting him is a sign of any lack of ambition etc...

 

If you had read my post, then perhaps you might have noticed that I'm not hung up one way or the other regarding Howard, more that I do think we need cover/back up/augmentation of a few key areas (something which Adkins would appear to agree with if he is out hunting for a centre midfielder).

 

That said, if Howard is fit, then I certainly think he could probably come in and do a job for us (even if it providing cover).

[um pahars]

what weakness...really..?

cant lallana play the same role as howard in the middle (howard does not really track back by the way)..?

OxO can deffo play there...isnt guly, the brilliant guly supposed to really be an attacking midfielder..?

 

how many do we want ffs

 

Unless Howard has changed his game since his decent stint at Barnsley or unless Adkins is completely barking up the wrong tree and going after a player who can play in the hole or wide midfield, then I'm not sure I agree with your sentiments.

 

We're on the hunt for a centre midfielder (due to injuries and suspensions to Morgan & Gobern) and I would be flabbergasted if Adkins was looking to pick up someone who can play in the hole.

 

If you think Lallana, Oxo or Guly are capable replacements for our centre midfield berth, then you would appear to be at odds with Adkins (as well as I suspect, many others).

[Thedelldays]

Unless Howard has changed his game since his decent stint at Barnsley or unless Adkins is completely barking up the wrong tree and going after a player who can play in the hole or wide midfield, then I'm not sure I agree with your sentiments.

 

We're on the hunt for a centre midfielder (due to injuries and suspensions to Morgan & Gobern) and I would be flabbergasted if Adkins was looking to pick up someone who can play in the hole.

 

If you think Lallana, Oxo or Guly are capable replacements for our centre midfield berth, then you would appear to be at odds with Adkins (as well as I suspect, many others).

I was commenting on howard and those saying if we dont get him then we are lacking/dont have money/stupid.....I agree it would be ideal if we could get someone in on cover..but then they would only be cover and people will moan they dont have enough star quality (you know that will happen)

[derry]

It's amazing that there are so many critics of Brian Howard on here. Some of the biggest critics don't even go to our games, never mind Readings, yet have expert opinion on a player they either have never seen or seen once in a blue moon. More than likely based on the expert opinions on the Reading forum. He is on no more money than our highest paid players. He has had injuries this season and suspension for a sending off. Lots of our players have also had injuries but he has still played in 22 games. He is a better end product passer of the ball than anybody at this club and is capable of lifting our central midfield which is a long way short of playing well. Having said that he isn't coming unless we do something this week.

 

Reading are not trying to get rid of him just because we enquired, he had to be told, it was left up to him as we have done with players this year. He has a contract until 2013 and doesn't need to go anywhere. The current defensive midfield at Reading is not his style at the moment, if it stops working he could be back in favour again. Reading are not putting any pressure on him to go and as we never went back with any offer he won't be coming unless we do.

[capitalsaint]

It's amazing that there are so many critics of Brian Howard on here. Some of the biggest critics don't even go to our games, never mind Readings, yet have expert opinion on a player they either have never seen or seen once in a blue moon. More than likely based on the expert opinions on the Reading forum. He is on no more money than our highest paid players. He has had injuries this season and suspension for a sending off. Lots of our players have also had injuries but he has still played in 22 games. He is a better end product passer of the ball than anybody at this club and is capable of lifting our central midfield which is a long way short of playing well. Having said that he isn't coming unless we do something this week.

 

Reading are not trying to get rid of him just because we enquired, he had to be told, it was left up to him as we have done with players this year. He has a contract until 2013 and doesn't need to go anywhere. The current defensive midfield at Reading is not his style at the moment, if it stops working he could be back in favour again. Reading are not putting any pressure on him to go and as we never went back with any offer he won't be coming unless we do.

 

i agree completely. admittedly i've only seen him once in the flesh, and it was last season, but he is a fantastic passer of the ball.

[Saint_lambden]

Having been to quite a few Reading games this season , Howard's not up to the speed he used to be but he still has the technical ability it's just that Reading restrict him by making him sit back and not play the free role he would here.

[ericofarabia]

I think we should offer them Pulis for Howard and Antonnio .... an offer they simply couldn't resist.

[NickG]

Last week's bench:

 

Seabourne (defender, lower leagues)

Richardson (defender, decent quality)

Gobern (unproven)

Forecast (enough said)

Forte (unproven for me and playing bit parts for Scunny doesn't make me wet my lips in anticipation)

Martin (defender, starting out)

N'Guessan (unproven, as posted above)

 

No real attacking options, no real cover for middle of the park, none have made an impact, heavy on defenders and nothing there with the exception of Richardson that gives me overwhelming confidence. Gobern has shown glimpses in recent games, but has also struggled in others. We need here and now players for this run in.

 

All about opinions, but that is a pretty poor bench, particularly when judged against our stated ambitions and resources.

 

 

 

N'Guessan has started 8 games this season & his only decent run was at Lincoln and Forte has been a bit part player for S****horpe (43 starts over 3 1/2 seasons).

 

They might come good, but let's not over-hype their pedigree and experience.

 

 

 

All about opinions, but we shouldn't be looking to move our two most creative wide players to do a bodge job up front due to having no real cover.

 

I haven't seen Lallana or Oxo have a decent game up front when we have re jigged part way through a match and maintain a like for like swao would be better as opposed to weakening up front and wide positions by doing a bodge job.

 

 

 

But given our "resources" and given our publicly stated ambitions we have suddenly looked somwewhat threadbare when faced with a few injuries & suspensions. We also looked weak when Lallana was absent for a period. For such an ambitious Club, we do seem to be scraping around a bit.

 

 

 

There have been times already this season when I think our weakness in depth has cost us and I think our biggest challenge is still to come. With injuries, suspensions and a hectic run of games our lack of quality in depth might come back to haunt us.

 

Along with that will be a number of reasons which will be aired if we fail to go up.

 

sorry mate, disagree.

[Window Cleaner]

Having been to quite a few Reading games this season , Howard's not up to the speed he used to be but he still has the technical ability it's just that Reading restrict him by making him sit back and not play the free role he would here.

 

He wouldn't have a free role here, that's what I keep trying to tell you all. You cannot use a player like Howard and a player like Lallana in the same side with any great certitude of success.You play Howard and you have to sacrifice either Ox or Adam because if you don't you would be criminally exposed at the back.Chaplow is already limit in this role I doubt that Howard would be any better.

[NickG]

It's amazing that there are so many critics of Brian Howard on here. Some of the biggest critics don't even go to our games, never mind Readings, yet have expert opinion on a player they either have never seen or seen once in a blue moon. More than likely based on the expert opinions on the Reading forum. He is on no more money than our highest paid players. He has had injuries this season and suspension for a sending off. Lots of our players have also had injuries but he has still played in 22 games. He is a better end product passer of the ball than anybody at this club and is capable of lifting our central midfield which is a long way short of playing well. Having said that he isn't coming unless we do something this week.

 

Reading are not trying to get rid of him just because we enquired, he had to be told, it was left up to him as we have done with players this year. He has a contract until 2013 and doesn't need to go anywhere. The current defensive midfield at Reading is not his style at the moment, if it stops working he could be back in favour again. Reading are not putting any pressure on him to go and as we never went back with any offer he won't be coming unless we do.

 

wouldn't like to pass judgement as not seem him a lot (concept lost on few on here!) - but sounds like a good addition.

 

With Morgan and Gobbern available I don't think we are weak in CM. Most raved about the capture of Chaplow and many see him and Hammond as first choice pairing.

 

Fact is N'Guessan and Forte have both been picked for a higher league first 11 several times. They are only here as squad cover / impact subs. It is a fact that they have better pedigree/epxerience than Antonio. With Ox-C as almost new signing this year think we have both quality and depth in those areas ALL teams in this league would dream of.

[derry]

He wouldn't have a free role here, that's what I keep trying to tell you all. You cannot use a player like Howard and a player like Lallana in the same side with any great certitude of success.You play Howard and you have to sacrifice either Ox or Adam because if you don't you would be criminally exposed at the back.Chaplow is already limit in this role I doubt that Howard would be any better.

 

Patently you don't have a clue how Brian Howard plays. He is a left side, central midfield playmaker and would be ideal to serve the wide men and play forward passes up to the front two. We don't have a playmaker, even Schneiderlin isn't a playmaker he just links up and goes sideways and backwards to keep possession, his forward attacking passing is almost non existant. Howard on the other hand is always looking to put the ball into the attacking danger area someting we need.

[saint77]

interesting that howard starts for reading today

[NickG]

Last week's bench:

 

Seabourne (defender, lower leagues) 17 starts for us and club capt for Exeter briefly in this league

Richardson (defender, decent quality)agree

Gobern (unproven)agree but thought he looked very good when first came on week before, people moaned about large squad stopping young players

Forecast (enough said)agree

Forte (unproven for me and playing bit parts for Scunny doesn't make me wet my lips in anticipation)he is very quick and here form league above to be sub

Martin (defender, starting out) agree

N'Guessan (unproven, as posted above)mom by solent in first away game, again head and shoulders exp above Antonio to come here.

.

 

Not sure what you expect for a league 1 bench when Holmes, Connolly and Morgan out injured?

[derry]

interesting that howard starts for reading today

 

Obviously trying to get rid of him.

[Crab Lungs]

It's not rare I say this but I'm with Um on this one!

[SaintNik]

surprised after a quick scan at this thread, nobody has made the Skacel joke yet!

[miserableoldgit]

11 pages. Idiots.

Which you have added to. Idiot.

[RedWillie]

surprised after a quick scan at this thread, nobody has made the Skacel joke yet!

 

Skacel scores for Hearts.....

[Glasgow_Saint]

Anyone hear them mention Howard on SS2? Apparently Howard wants 60k a week! Deal now in doubt

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Anyone hear them mention Howard on SS2? Apparently Howard wants 60k a week! Deal now in doubt

 

To be honest, if Howard wants 60k a week, I'd back NC a million percent to say the deal is dead in the water!!

[Bailey]

Anyone hear them mention Howard on SS2? Apparently Howard wants 60k a week! Deal now in doubt.

 

Oh really . . . ?

[NickG]

Adkins saying that he thought if you rang a manager to discuss a player it was in confidence!

[yorkie]

Skacel scores for Hearts.....

 

Twice!

 

A screamer from 25-yards and a tap in on 92 mins.

 

Could he do a job for us?

[Fitzhugh Fella]

wouldn't like to pass judgement as not seem him a lot (concept lost on few on here!) - but sounds like a good addition.

 

With Morgan and Gobbern available I don't think we are weak in CM. Most raved about the capture of Chaplow and many see him and Hammond as first choice pairing.

 

Fact is N'Guessan and Forte have both been picked for a higher league first 11 several times. They are only here as squad cover / impact subs. It is a fact that they have better pedigree/epxerience than Antonio. With Ox-C as almost new signing this year think we have both quality and depth in those areas ALL teams in this league would dream of.

 

 

Morgan is out for the rest of the season

[NickG]

yes, think Adkins made a CM signing sound pretty likely even if not happy with Reading going public

[JustMike]

Reading some of the **** on here anyone would think we had just lost the last 4 games!