Brian Howard

[hypochondriac]

lol

 

Thanks for your contribution. Equally, if we go for a midfielder of comparable or better quality I will say so and praise SFC for it.

[Window Cleaner]

I think it will say a lot if we don't get him and go for a cheaper option. I think that is the tactic we have employed for a while.

 

Perhaps he just ain't all that good nowadays. He's being kept out of Reading's side by a Turkish U21 international and Leigertwood

who's half fit apparently.

[Thedelldays]

Perhaps he just ain't all that good nowadays. He's being kept out of Reading's side by a Turkish U21 international and Leigertwood

who's half fit apparently.

and that his manager is clearly prepared to let him go....and let him go now

[hypochondriac]

Perhaps he just ain't all that good nowadays. He's being kept out of Reading's side by a Turkish U21 international and Leigertwood

who's half fit apparently.

 

I've seen him play. IMO he is more than good enough for league one although that is obviously just my opinion.

[Thedelldays]

I've seen him play. IMO he is more than good enough for league one although that is obviously just my opinion.

 

how many times have you seen him play recently...?

is he crocked..?

 

not many teams let a player go at this time of year if all is well..

[Window Cleaner]

and that his manager is clearly prepared to let him go....and let him go now

 

And even talks to the press about it, they must know we don't do deals in public by now, so why talk to the press.They want shot of him and some of their fans obviously don't rate him. I'd rather we get in a younger player because we have 3 good midfielders of our own already.

[NickG]

I think it will say a lot if we don't get him and go for a cheaper option. I think that is the tactic we have employed for a while.

 

most recent starting 11: Davis, Butterfield, Fonte, Jaidi, Harding, Chamberlain, Chaplow, Hammond, Lallana, Barnard, Lambert - which are cheap options?

[Thedelldays]

And even talks to the press about it, they must know we don't do deals in public by now, so why talk to the press.They want shot of him and some of their fans obviously don't rate him. I'd rather we get in a younger player because we have 3 good midfielders of our own already.

 

I would like it if he signed for us..but to say "it will show whatever" if we dont is stupid...then again, hypo is stupid

[Window Cleaner]

Read the Reading OS, they say Leigertwood is still 'under observation' for some injury or other yet he plays in front of Howard.

[Window Cleaner]

I've seen him play. IMO he is more than good enough for league one although that is obviously just my opinion.

 

We're in League 1 for another 7/8 weeks, then we'll be in the NPC and I don't think we need reading's cast-offs for that.

[SO16_Saint]

So are the echo just a bit behind with their reporting or was there no text.....

 

oh, I dont know mate.

 

My 'source' has said that it's dead in the water and not going to happen.

 

Maybe it's a more fluid situation than we all realise. A case of who blinks first, maybe??

 

Im not going to speculate anymore.... what will happen will happen!!

[scotty]

We're in League 1 for another 7/8 weeks, then we'll be in the NPC and I don't think we need reading's cast-offs for that.

 

thats right mate, get those chickens counted

[beatlesaint]

We're in League 1 for another 7/8 weeks, then we'll be in the NPC and I don't think we need reading's cast-offs for that.

 

No wonder we have the reputation with Bournemouth and others of being arrogant.

[derry]

Unless we contact Reading again it isn't going to happen. Reading are playing two defensive midfielders, two quick wingers and employing route one pragmatism to get results. Playing Brian Howards brand of incisive passing and possession play isn't wanted. They bring him on when they are behind and can't get a goal and risk losing one of the defensive midfielders. It's our loss as we need a leader in the team and we don't have one, they don't come cheap. Brian is hardly the loser, he has a good contract until July 2013. I think we are pursuing a charity shop strategy with signings. Adkins did after all contact Reading last week and Brian's agent has spoken to Saints. Since then no contact. It wouldn't surprise me if we bring in a cheapie as cover but will that make us play better? because we are winning a lot of matches without playing well and relying on set pieces for goals.

[Window Cleaner]

No wonder we have the reputation with Bournemouth and others of being arrogant.

 

Well I hope I'm right because if it shouldn't come to pass for some reason or other the consequences will be far reaching, seismic even.

[sambosa75]

Unless we contact Reading again it isn't going to happen. Reading are playing two defensive midfielders, two quick wingers and employing route one pragmatism to get results. Playing Brian Howards brand of incisive passing and possession play isn't wanted. They bring him on when they are behind and can't get a goal and risk losing one of the defensive midfielders. It's our loss as we need a leader in the team and we don't have one, they don't come cheap. Brian is hardly the loser, he has a good contract until July 2013. I think we are pursuing a charity shop strategy with signings. Adkins did after all contact Reading last week and Brian's agent has spoken to Saints. Since then no contact. It wouldn't surprise me if we bring in a cheapie as cover but will that make us play better? because we are winning a lot of matches without playing well and relying on set pieces for goals.

 

IN fairness derry, you are making out as if Reading are keeping Xavi on the bench. Howard's a decent player and would DAJFU but he's no world beater. I personally would like us to get him but I went on a night out recently with Howard's brother and he was saying they were in discussions then... that was over 3 weeks ago. If it hasnt been thrashed out in that time, I doubt it will happen unless Reading all of a sudden become willing to contribute towards his wages.

[SaintNeil90]

I thought Jonny Fordham said there was going to be an update on Howards future and saints in todays edition of GetReading. Theres nothing new on their website today as far as I can see.

 

@JonnyFordham Update on Howard and Saints?

 

@neillarder Story in our paper today @getreading should be up on net later. Adkins passing off as speculation, but offer still on the table

[SaintNeil90]

Probably the most revealing article so far with quotes from Howard himself...

 

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2089609_brian_howard_unsure_about_saints_switch

[hypochondriac]

@JonnyFordham Update on Howard and Saints?

 

@neillarder Story in our paper today @getreading should be up on net later. Adkins passing off as speculation, but offer still on the table

 

Offer still on the table from who? Reading?

[derry]

IN fairness derry, you are making out as if Reading are keeping Xavi on the bench. Howard's a decent player and would DAJFU but he's no world beater. I personally would like us to get him but I went on a night out recently with Howard's brother and he was saying they were in discussions then... that was over 3 weeks ago. If it hasnt been thrashed out in that time, I doubt it will happen unless Reading all of a sudden become willing to contribute towards his wages.

 

Saints have been nibbling at him since last season. It is relative, he is a good player, at our level an outstanding player, better than any central midfielder available here, it is what he could do to improve us that I see. He directs and passes in midfield at the moment and for a long time we haven't had a leader in midfield. On Monday Brian thought it might happen but nothing happened.

[hypochondriac]

most recent starting 11: Davis, Butterfield, Fonte, Jaidi, Harding, Chamberlain, Chaplow, Hammond, Lallana, Barnard, Lambert - which are cheap options?

 

How many were signed this season? I mean in terms of improving the first 11.

[hypochondriac]

We're in League 1 for another 7/8 weeks, then we'll be in the NPC and I don't think we need reading's cast-offs for that.

 

That's why it will be interesting to see if we go for someone of similar ability to Howard or not...

[Thedelldays]

How many were signed this season? I mean in terms of improving the first 11.

butterfield, OxO, chaplow are all new and starting...

[derry]

Brian isn't going to move and lose money. His contract is until July 2013 so unless we match that, it isn't going to happen.

[Window Cleaner]

And in such great letters as they write “Here is good horse to hire” let them signify under my sign

[Graffito]

Brian isn't going to move and lose money. His contract is until July 2013 so unless we match that, it isn't going to happen.

 

So he wants to come on loan with a permanent move at the end of the season, subject to Saints going up, and with a contract no worse than what he has with Reading?

[Window Cleaner]

So he wants to come on loan with a permanent move at the end of the season, subject to Saints going up, and with a contract no worse than what he has with Reading?

 

Well unless he stops talking about it on websites and to chummies who fall over themselves to talk to the entire world about it,it's not going to happen. He must know how we do things at SFC.

[jasoneuelllfanclub]

It seems he is prepared to reject other championship teams in favour of saints as long as the terms are right for him. It seems strange that he doesnt know what the offer is though. I wonder if saints have deliberately tried unsettling him with the potential of getting a better deal. That said he is happy at Reading albeit wants more games so Sainmts need to be careful with this as they could lose him, assuming they actually want him in the first place rather than use him as a red herring to get another player on the cheap.

[OldNick]

Saints have been nibbling at him since last season. It is relative, he is a good player, at our level an outstanding player, better than any central midfielder available here, it is what he could do to improve us that I see. He directs and passes in midfield at the moment and for a long time we haven't had a leader in midfield. On Monday Brian thought it might happen but nothing happened.

the bit I have seen of him gives me the impression that he is what we miss. i hope we sign him

[Saint_clark]

Brian isn't going to move and lose money. His contract is until July 2013 so unless we match that, it isn't going to happen.

 

Oh well. Move on then.

[wild-saint]

Brian isn't going to move and lose money. His contract is until July 2013 so unless we match that, it isn't going to happen.

 

are you his agent or something as he seems to be clearly happy to blab on here about conversations you have had? Not that Im complaining mind!!

[hypochondriac]

butterfield, OxO, chaplow are all new and starting...

 

I already said other than Chaplow. Butterfield I will give you but offensively we have lagged behind this year and it could cost us promotion if you look at the firepower Posh have.

[derry]

Well unless he stops talking about it on websites and to chummies who fall over themselves to talk to the entire world about it,it's not going to happen. He must know how we do things at SFC.

He isn't talking to anybody except when asked because nothing is happening. It's in the press, McDermott is quoted, saying that nothing is happening is hardly going to make a difference. Saying that he would be a good signing is what this site is about, opinions. If the club think they are going to be able to sign player without publicity they won't be signing many good players, Oh!!!. The better the player the greater the speculation.

[Window Cleaner]

He isn't talking to anybody except when asked because nothing is happening. It's in the press, McDermott is quoted, saying that nothing is happening is hardly going to make a difference. Saying that he would be a good signing is what this site is about, opinions. If the club think they are going to be able to sign player without publicity they won't be signing many good players, Oh!!!. The better the player the greater the speculation.

 

Are you not reporting on a regular basis conversation or text exchanges between the player and your son??If not I must have been imagining things or are you expressing your own opinion on the matter and reporting it as fact established in telephone exchanges?

Pray enlighten me.

[niceandfriendly]

If the club think they are going to be able to sign player without publicity they won't be signing many good players, Oh!!!. The better the player the greater the speculation.

 

We've signed plenty of good players by keeping it quiet. All this talking won't be helping Howards cause at all, come on we know how Mr Cortese likes to do things.

[derry]

are you his agent or something as he seems to be clearly happy to blab on here about conversations you have had? Not that Im complaining mind!!

 

I haven't spoken to Brian, but he has answered some basic questions via my son. He can hardly blab about nothing happening. It is common knowledge that he wants to play for Saints, lives locally, and is a Saints supporter. His contract was announced by Reading last close season and the level I presume is similar to our highest paid players. What he has said is Saints know his contract and he isn't asking for more than that which seems fair to me. We need him more than he needs us. We either match his contract or he stays at Reading or goes to some other club.

Reading say we haven't been in contact since the first enquiry which doesn't seem like a lot of interest to me.

[derry]

Are you not reporting on a regular basis conversation or text exchanges between the player and your son??If not I must have been imagining things or are you expressing your own opinion on the matter and reporting it as fact established in telephone exchanges?

Pray enlighten me.

 

Everything is factual. We contacted Reading, he'd know more by the end of the week, his agent has spoken to Saints, there has been no contact, nothing is happening, it doesn't look like it's going to happen. He'd like to come on loan and earn a contract if we are promoted. He wasn't asking for more money but would need his contract to be matched. I haven't spoken to Brian but he knows the questions came from me and he was honest with his answers which are hardly more than common sense. Unlike the Echo/Reading media speculation and jumping the gun.

[Greenridge]

Brian isn't going to move and lose money. His contract is until July 2013 so unless we match that, it isn't going to happen.

 

Isn't the plan for him to come on loan, at least initially in which case his wage will be guaranteed at his current contract rate, just a question for SFC and Reading to thrash out who pays what. Whatever may or may not happen at the end of the loan period is another matter for negotiation altogether.

[Saint Charlie]

I already said other than Chaplow. Butterfield I will give you but offensively we have lagged behind this year and it could cost us promotion if you look at the firepower Posh have.

 

CMS aside, I would have any of our offensive players over Peterborough's.

[derry]

We've signed plenty of good players by keeping it quiet. All this talking won't be helping Howards cause at all, come on we know how Mr Cortese likes to do things.

 

Hardly any player we have signed in the last two seasons happened without press and website speculation. Certainly, Lambert, Barnard, Hammond, Jaidi, Dickson, Richardson, Martin, Seaborne, in fact apart from Butterfield, Chaplow, N'guessan and Forte everybody.

[Thedelldays]

I already said other than Chaplow. Butterfield I will give you but offensively we have lagged behind this year and it could cost us promotion if you look at the firepower Posh have.

 

what the hell are you on about..we have scored the 3rd most goals in the league and have been very mean at the back...very much so at home..

 

dear christ

[derry]

Isn't the plan for him to come on loan, at least initially in which case his wage will be guaranteed at his current contract rate, just a question for SFC and Reading to thrash out who pays what. Whatever may or may not happen at the end of the loan period is another matter for negotiation altogether.

 

We are talking about the loan period. There hasn't been an offer to match his contract, in fact there appears to have been no contact at all since the original enquiry. It may be we don't want to match his contract.

[Window Cleaner]

I already said other than Chaplow. Butterfield I will give you but offensively we have lagged behind this year and it could cost us promotion if you look at the firepower Posh have.

 

But Peterborough have always had this firepower,they'd be streets ahead already if they'd had a defence to match it. Johnson got it all wrong defensively,Ferguson came back a re-established Zakuani in the starting pair and no doubt effected some tactical defensive changes as well.If they had to start from scratch I'd doubt that any League 1 side could afford a strike force like Peterborough nor could they obtain it even if they had the necessary wherewithal.Peterborough started the season as promotion favourites with ourselves and Sheffield Weds,managerial ineptitude held them back until it was corrected that's all.

Edited 18 March, 2011 by Window Cleaner

[derry]

what the hell are you on about..we have scored the 3rd most goals in the league and have been very mean at the back...very much so at home..

 

dear christ

 

In some respects his statement is true. Lambert is a long way short of last years scoring record and only has 8 goals from play in about 40 matches. We are also scoring the majority of goals in the last few matches as a result of set pieces.

[St Chalet]

CMS aside, I would have any of our offensive players over Peterborough's.

 

Are you sure you have that the right way around?

[Thedelldays]

In some respects his statement is true. Lambert is a long way short of last years scoring record and only has 8 goals from play in about 40 matches. We are also scoring the majority of goals in the last few matches as a result of set pieces.

 

who cares if they are all penalties.....

promotion for me, I dont care if we play tippy tappy football or go down the old wimbledon route..

we are division 3....nearly all of the time, the football is ****e...lets get out of this league at all costs

[Greenridge]

We are talking about the loan period. There hasn't been an offer to match his contract, in fact there appears to have been no contact at all since the original enquiry. It may be we don't want to match his contract.

 

He would get paid his full current contract either way, just a question of how much the two clubs split the costs. Never heard of a player getting loaned out and receiving a lower salary whilst still having a valid contract at the parent club.

[Chez]

main reason would be, by far, the bad start - Pardew then Wilkins, for whatever reasons

 

yes but it's those reasons that we will all want to know. Was it down to Pardew or Cortese?

 

It's perhaps not the time, but if we don't go up there is a real danger that some of our best players leave, and if they do, we may emulate our rapid fall from grace from the Championship having lost quality like Baird, Bale, Jones and Guthrie. Don't think that I'm screaming like a girl, as I'll take Saints in whatever league, but if we want a quick route back to the top flight this is a huge, huge season, and this run in has to be attacked with everything we have got and perhaps haven't yet loaned in.

 

I'm all for a streamline squad, but a Danny Guthrie now could make all the difference.

[Saint Charlie]

Are you sure you have that the right way around?

 

Yes, I think our offensive players are miles better than Peterborough's. CMS is the only one who would get in our starting XI. Boyd is decent but not better than Lallana or Chamberlain.

[derry]

Agreed, it's not about the football but there is a very fine line between scoring from set pieces and not scoring at all. The central midfield isn't really working and we aren't getting much from general play. On the run in the games will get tighter because a lot of the games will mean a lot for one reason or another to our opponents. That means we have to be able to get goals from all phases at some point but at the moment we don't seem able to get much out of general play which could well cause us to drop points.