Best defensive midfielder of all time?

[SpaceCruiser]

Go ahead and vote for who you think is the best man for the role! Here's the run down on each player:

Mick Gooding

A versatile player who has played in full back positions as well as in midfield, he was brought to the club by Ian Porterfield in 1990, I think. Played a few seasons for Reading, including the Division Two championship season in 1993/4 and became a joint manager along with Jimmy Quinn. Guided Reading to the play-off final against Bolton and lost. Hung around for another couple of seasons after that and their contracts were not renewed.

Ricky Newman

Signed by Alan Pardew after a successful loan period originally as a midfielder then played most of the 2000/1 play-off season as a emergency right back before moving back to midfield once Reading returned to the second tier. Unfortunate with injuries and eventually was released by Steve Coppell prior to the Championship winning season.

Terry Hurlock

Powerhouse midfielder who terrorised the opposition, he was signed by Ian Branfoot in 1986 during the Division Three championship season to bolster the team. Played most of the following season before being sold onto Millwall in 1987 - most people think Ian Branfoot got fed up of his poor disciplinary record.

Phil Parkinson

A loyal player who had stayed at the club for 10 years and was the club captain for a couple of seasons. Signed by Mark McGhee from Bury for peanuts (£37K!) and eventually became indispensable to Reading. Tommy Burns didn't recognise it at first and nearly sold him to Wycombe!!! Played in the Division Two championship winning squad of 1993/4 and the played a part in getting Reading to the play-off final (don't think he played in it). He also helped Reading get back to second tier football (eventually) after failing in a play-off final at Cardiff the previous season. Had a great testamonial against an England XI and went off to Colchester to become their manager. An absolute legend.

Mick Tait

Another versatile player who played mostly in midfield, but also played as a forward (as he did in the Simod Cup Final) and in defence. Signed by Ian Branfoot in 1986/7 (I think) and eventually went to Hartlepool.

Steve Sidwell

Signed by Alan Pardew in 2003 to improve the squad when they were competing for a place in the Division One playoffs (where we lost to Wolves). An all action midfielder who has an eye for goals, he was a product of Arsenal's youth academy where they have a policy not to play englishmen, he found it difficult to break into the first team and therefore dropped down a division to play for Reading. Played a big role in helping Reading break records in the Championship winning season and played a large part in the first ever Premiership season. Unfortunately, he said in order to think about his wife and kid, he turned down an improved contract and eventually joined Chelsea on a freebie.

Stuart Beavon

Played for Reading during most of the Ian Branfoot era and scored a penalty in the Simod Cup final. He was one of Reading's better midfielders during that time and he eventually moved onto Northampton.

James Harper

Another of Arsenal youth academy's product, came to Reading for £400K. In his first game, against Rotherham which we won 2-0, he was an instant hit and scored the first goal and spent most of the game showboating. After the game, Alan Pardew told him off for doing the showboating and he hasn't really done the same since. Helped Reading get to the play-off final that same season, and his throw-ins led to the two goals, but unfortunately, Reading lost to Walsall. Played a part in helping Reading get promoted the following season and back in the second tier the following season, he was voted player of the season, where he helped Reading get to the play-offs. Formed an effective midfield partnership with Steve Sidwell, he helped Reading break records to win the Championship and played most of the first season in the Premiership.

[Alan Partridge]

Harper LOL

[ScottishRoyal]

Those voting for Parky must be voting with their hearts and not their heads. A great player as well as leader, but never the best holding midfielder we've ever had.

[Alan Partridge]

I'd want Parky and Gooding in this team.

[Row Z Royal]

Boris - again due to the level at which he's been successful for us.

[handbags_harris]

Greg Halford

[readingbedding]

Hurlock was quality.

[Big Dan]

hurlock for me too.hard as nails

[Compo's Hat]

Harper LOL

Who voted for the crab?


Gooding for me.

[handbags_harris]

Of the players up there, I can only vouch for all but Hurlock. Of that list, it's got to be the Rice Pudding eater.

[Z175]

Greg Halford
Young and talented Halford once played in central midfield as a substitute for the Royals. Reading's record transfer signing at £2.5 millions, he was as comfortable in the holding role as he was at right back. Halford achieved cult status in his 3 appearances as a galatico long thrower. Such a talent was never going to hang around Berkshire for long, and Halford duly became Reading's record transfer sale as North East giants Sunderland splashed a tremendous three millions pounds for him.

[Maguire]

Is gingerism worse than racism? It is when you only get 9 votes in a poll like this.

[Coppelled Streets]

I'd want Parky and Gooding in this team.

Ditto.

[SpaceCruiser]

Voting is now closed! Parky is the undoubted winner! Anyone who wants to complain about it should wonder about the people who voted for him.....all 44 of them.

Team looking like this so far.....

1. Neil "Shaka" Hislop
2. Graeme Murty
3. Nick Shorey
4. Dariusz Wdowcyzk
5. Adrian Williams
6. Phil Parkinson
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

[Vision]

Voting is now closed! Parky is the undoubted winner! Anyone who wants to complain about it should wonder about the people who voted for him.....all 44 of them.
.

Believe me i do.

[Jerry St Clair]

I abstained due to the fact that Danny "Caveman" Bailey wasn't an option.

[Ian Royal]

Voting is now closed! Parky is the undoubted winner! Anyone who wants to complain about it should wonder about the people who voted for him.....all 44 of them.

Team looking like this so far.....

1. Neil "Shaka" Hislop
2. Graeme Murty
3. Nick Shorey
4. Dariusz Wdowcyzk
5. Adrian Williams
6. Phil Parkinson
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

going to need a really good playmaker in there. Sidwell really wouldn't work well with Parky in my mind so that would be Caskey or Harper, possibly Gooding from the last 11-12 years.

[Ian Royal]

Those voting for Parky must be voting with their hearts and not their heads. A great player as well as leader, but never the best holding midfielder we've ever had.

Exactly. Gooding was way better.

Gooding probably was better but loses points for a) working with Jimmy Quinn as a management team and b) saying "ya know" every 15 secs.

[Baines]

Those voting for Parky must be voting with their hearts and not their heads. A great player as well as leader, but never the best holding midfielder we've ever had.

Exactly. Gooding was way better.

And Hurlock the best...