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Posted
Are you going to the driving range with him today or is he busy elsewhere doing something else contracty-like?

 

I've not heard a thing today but I didn't really expect to, as my son is working and the loose arrangement was for sevenish this evening. I think Brian was going to contact him later on in the day. If anything is happening or either of them decide not to, it won't happen. My son isn't really that bothered about Saints or professional football, although he is sport minded. So he is not bothered either way as it makes no difference to him where Brian plays. Although if Brian joined Saints he would probably use my spare ST when he was available.

Posted
My son's fourth best mate is Brian Howard. He thinks it isn't happening.

 

I think maybe as there was an approach last week but after costs were looked at things didn't progress, although to be fair, Brian did say he would know more towards the end of this week which said to me that nobody was pushing at either end.

Posted
I think maybe as there was an approach last week but after costs were looked at things didn't progress, although to be fair, Brian did say he would know more towards the end of this week which said to me that nobody was pushing at either end.

 

That would be a little surprising wouldn't it, Dave?

 

Costs - as in wages - shouldn't be that big a stumbling block if we really need the player because they're pro-rated for the balance of the season.

 

Perhaps it's the insurance or Reading are looking for a fee, or something else.

 

Strange.

Posted
In which case we must definitely be signing Frimpong as he was he was the other player linked earlier this week and NA didn't mention him. ;)

 

Can't we get both, just in case we get into the play offs, can we loan 2.

Posted
That would be a little surprising wouldn't it, Dave?

 

Costs - as in wages - shouldn't be that big a stumbling block if we really need the player because they're pro-rated for the balance of the season.

 

Perhaps it's the insurance or Reading are looking for a fee, or something else.

 

Strange.

 

Not at all surprising really, why would we want to pay any significant part of 12/15K a week for a back-up midfielder?

Posted
Not at all surprising really, why would we want to pay any significant part of 12/15K a week for a back-up midfielder?

 

I said "if we really need the player", which many think we do.

Posted
I said "if we really need the player", which many think we do.

 

The question may well be if we need this player that much. Is someone who can't get into Reading's team worth £15k a week, or might we get someone better or as good, for less money? Maybe we're shopping around before we decide either way, perhaps between Howard and one or two others? Being rich doesn't mean you don't want value for money.

Posted
The question may well be if we need this player that much. Is someone who can't get into Reading's team worth £15k a week, or might we get someone better or as good, for less money? Maybe we're shopping around before we decide either way, perhaps between Howard and one or two others? Being rich doesn't mean you don't want value for money.

 

Agree with this, Howard is good but not good enough to break the wage structure for.

Posted
The question may well be if we need this player that much. Is someone who can't get into Reading's team worth £15k a week, or might we get someone better or as good, for less money? Maybe we're shopping around before we decide either way, perhaps between Howard and one or two others? Being rich doesn't mean you don't want value for money.

 

This is exactly what I meant, we have our own players,all of whom will be on lesser salaries than Howard,NA is very group minded and I really can't see him taking a player for more money who we just don't need. If the bloke was coming from the EPL perhaps but a Reading reserve for a shedload ?.....no thanks.

Posted
That would be a little surprising wouldn't it, Dave?

 

Costs - as in wages - shouldn't be that big a stumbling block if we really need the player because they're pro-rated for the balance of the season.

 

Perhaps it's the insurance or Reading are looking for a fee, or something else.

 

Strange.

 

I don't think Brian's contract is at a level which is any different to the likes of Fonte, Lambert, Lallana etc. Some of the figures being quoted on here are really a waste of a post, It remains whether the approach was made as a result of the committee including Cortese or just an enquiry that was leaked but isn't being pursued. Up to 10pm last night there had been no change.

Posted (edited)
That would be a little surprising wouldn't it, Dave?

 

Costs - as in wages - shouldn't be that big a stumbling block if we really need the player because they're pro-rated for the balance of the season.

 

Perhaps it's the insurance or Reading are looking for a fee, or something else.

 

Strange.

 

I've taken a close interest in this lad as he and his girlfriend / were friends of my son while he was still at Saints. He could pick locks with his left foot and direction/tactical etc wise he is streets ahead of anybody else at Saints. We haven't had a player with his range of passing for years, probably since MLT. He would make an enormous difference to our team play especially to Chamberlain, Lallana, Lambert and Barnard/Guly. We have no leadership on the field and he would lead and direct.

Edited by derry
Posted

Sad to say it looks unlikely now. If Howard/Agent has not held talks with Saints yet despite enquiries to Reading last week (or the weekend at the latest) it may be terms could not be agreed with Reading and we are looking elsewhere. We have another week to find someone so no panic yet.

Posted
I've taken a close interest in this lad as he and his girlfriend / were friends of my son while he was still at Saints. He could pick locks with his left foot and direction/tactical etc wise he is streets ahead of anybody else at Saints. We haven't had a player with his range of passing for years, probably since MLT. He would make an enormous difference to our team play especially to Chamberlain, Lallana, Lambert and Barnard/Guly. We have no leadership on the field and he would lead and direct.

 

These kind of claims do nobody any good. At the end of the day he is a good player but isn't a regular for Reading so lets not get carried away.

Posted
Sad to say it looks unlikely now. If Howard/Agent has not held talks with Saints yet despite enquiries to Reading last week (or the weekend at the latest) it may be terms could not be agreed with Reading and we are looking elsewhere. We have another week to find someone so no panic yet.

 

You may be right Ron but as I said before Brian did say he would know more by the end of the week which didn't sound like anybody was in a rush. He did say that Saints knew his current contract and he wasn't looking for an increase. I think there is an urgency on here that isn't there in the real world. I think if it was over I would know pretty soon after, that it wasn't going to happen. Thursday is still a week away as you say.

Posted
You may be right Ron but as I said before Brian did say he would know more by the end of the week which didn't sound like anybody was in a rush. He did say that Saints knew his current contract and he wasn't looking for an increase. I think there is an urgency on here that isn't there in the real world. I think if it was over I would know pretty soon after, that it wasn't going to happen. Thursday is still a week away as you say.

 

Thursday is a week away but we have 2 games before then so if we are going to get someone in then it makes sense to have done it this week!

Posted
These kind of claims do nobody any good. At the end of the day he is a good player but isn't a regular for Reading so lets not get carried away.

 

He is a good player, but my comment stands as more a criticism of the content of the Saints team of Indians but no Chiefs. We need on field direction and he would supply that. He could well get back into Reading's team and has already played 22 games but was out through injury and Reading are doing well.

Posted
Is anyone seriously doubting that we need a player of his quality and with his leadership skills?

 

No, just that he isn't going to be the only option! I'm sure Saints have quite a few players on their list!

Posted
No, just that he isn't going to be the only option! I'm sure Saints have quite a few players on their list!

 

I think quality is the word. Haven't really been impressed with our signings (bar Chaplow) since last January.

Posted
So, in summary, this thread can be closed and filed alongside the Charlie Austin 24 pager?

 

You could well be right.

Posted
It looks like it isn't going ahead.

 

In other words, Mr Cortese isn't interested in paying a few hundred thousand quid to help get us out of the division....?

 

Said Trousers provocatively....

Posted
Sad to say it looks unlikely now. If Howard/Agent has not held talks with Saints yet despite enquiries to Reading last week (or the weekend at the latest) it may be terms could not be agreed with Reading and we are looking elsewhere. We have another week to find someone so no panic yet.

 

I would not definitely say so, there is very little to thrash out for a loan. If Saints agree, it could happen very quickly. I expect we are looking elsewhere, but there's nothing to stop a last day deal for Howard.

Posted
In other words, Mr Cortese isn't interested in paying a few hundred thousand quid to help get us out of the division....?

 

Said Trousers provocatively....

 

Or.......

 

 

You could have said, NC is really keen on spending a few hundred thousand to get us out of this league but his bosses aren't.

 

There, I made your comment much more provocative

Posted
I would not definitely say so, there is very little to thrash out for a loan. If Saints agree, it could happen very quickly. I expect we are looking elsewhere, but there's nothing to stop a last day deal for Howard.

 

There is no doubt he would come if asked. It depends I suppose on other options and whether other targets want to come. Noone else would have Brian's reasons, living here, supporter, and wanting to prove himself here. It's a shame, he could have improved us. Whoever we get in, he has to be better than those here already and a leader. Average backup doesn't cut it for me.

 

If things don't work out on possibly cheaper options we might revisit.

Posted
It's a shame, he could have improved us. Whoever we get in, he has to be better than those here already and a leader. Average backup doesn't cut it for me.

 

Totally agree. We must wait and see what happens but i will be very annoyed if we get some no mark that nobody has ever heard of just to sit on the bench and act as cover when, for a not considerable sum of money, we could have gotten a quality player in on loan.

 

A quality player who could be the difference between staying in this league or getting out of it.

Posted
with Puncheon away, and Guly, Holmes and Schneiderlin all injured... it must be a case of AS WELL, as Chaplow.

 

nice theory except you have forgotten Hammond.

Posted
Totally agree. We must wait and see what happens but i will be very annoyed if we get some no mark that nobody has ever heard of just to sit on the bench and act as cover when, for a not considerable sum of money, we could have gotten a quality player in on loan.

 

A quality player who could be the difference between staying in this league or getting out of it.

 

Who would you drop then? The midfield 4 of AOC, Hammond, Chaplow, and Lallana seem pretty set. Why did we sign Chaplow if we could go and get a better midfielder than him on loan in the first place?

 

For what it is worth anyway, I don't think Howard is the type of midfield cover we need. I'd rather a Hammond type player at the moment, even if that means the player we bring in has less quality than Howard.

Posted
Who would you drop then? The midfield 4 of AOC, Hammond, Chaplow, and Lallana seem pretty set. Why did we sign Chaplow if we could go and get a better midfielder than him on loan in the first place?

 

For what it is worth anyway, I don't think Howard is the type of midfield cover we need. I'd rather a Hammond type player at the moment, even if that means the player we bring in has less quality than Howard.

 

Its not a case of dropping anyone, its a case of having quality in depth so, with the number of games we have coming up, we can keep players fresh and not have to play them for every minute of every game.....and thats not even considering injuries.

Posted
Its not a case of dropping anyone, its a case of having quality in depth so, with the number of games we have coming up, we can keep players fresh and not have to play them for every minute of every game.....and thats not even considering injuries.

 

Or suspensions.

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