Gylfi setback

[PEARCEY]

The real question to be asked is what on earth is he doing in their U21 side anyway !

I'd be surprised if Iceland have more than 30 or 40 decent players so he should be playing for the first team.

Clearly something is rotten in Icelandic football.....

Germany 2- Iceland 2!!!!

Yes but Iceland has now a real chance to qualify for the U-21 European championship with quality players like Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (AZ Alkmaar), Siggy (Reading) and Aron Gunnarsson Coventry. Before todays match Iceland were second in the group, on 12 poins, behind the Czechs on 15. Germany (who are the reigning U-21 champions since last summer) were 3rd on 7 points!!! Well after tonighs result in Germany which ended 2-2!! Iceland have most probably left the big boys of Germany behind, a no mean feat and a testament of the talent currently coming through in Iceland. Gylfi nor Aron Gunnarsson of Coventry played today but we still managed a draw. Furthermore is Iceland the highest scorers of all the teams in qualifying. We spanked Northern Ireland 6-2 in Belfast last autumn. All I have to say to Reading, dont stop looking at Icelandic players, there are some good ones coming through.

Good for your boys. Brilliant result against the mighty Germans. Hope you get through..

[Southbank Old Boy]

The real question to be asked is what on earth is he doing in their U21 side anyway !

I'd be surprised if Iceland have more than 30 or 40 decent players so he should be playing for the first team.

Clearly something is rotten in Icelandic football.....

Competitive game v friendly

He has loads of time to get into the full side

[Sun Tzu]

The real question to be asked is what on earth is he doing in their U21 side anyway !

I'd be surprised if Iceland have more than 30 or 40 decent players so he should be playing for the first team.

Clearly something is rotten in Icelandic football.....

Germany 2- Iceland 2!!!!

Yes but Iceland has now a real chance to qualify for the U-21 European championship with quality players like Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (AZ Alkmaar), Siggy (Reading) and Aron Gunnarsson Coventry. Before todays match Iceland were second in the group, on 12 poins, behind the Czechs on 15. Germany (who are the reigning U-21 champions since last summer) were 3rd on 7 points!!! Well after tonighs result in Germany which ended 2-2!! Iceland have most probably left the big boys of Germany behind, a no mean feat and a testament of the talent currently coming through in Iceland. Gylfi nor Aron Gunnarsson of Coventry played today but we still managed a draw. Furthermore is Iceland the highest scorers of all the teams in qualifying. We spanked Northern Ireland 6-2 in Belfast last autumn. All I have to say to Reading, dont stop looking at Icelandic players, there are some good ones coming through.

I hope you spotted my tongue firmly in my cheek !

It amazes me how Iceland turns out so many good footballers. They all seem to have very good technique and be real good pros. Must be something in the water !
Gylfi will clearly make the breakthrough at some time and it will be a proud moment when he does.

[Terminal Boardom]

May be a touch of mind games as far as RFC are concerned. Oh look Villa, one of our star player is injured - he won't be playing this weekend. You will have to rethink your plans.

[brendywendy]

The real question to be asked is what on earth is he doing in their U21 side anyway !

I'd be surprised if Iceland have more than 30 or 40 decent players so he should be playing for the first team.

Clearly something is rotten in Icelandic football.....

Germany 2- Iceland 2!!!!

Yes but Iceland has now a real chance to qualify for the U-21 European championship with quality players like Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (AZ Alkmaar), Siggy (Reading) and Aron Gunnarsson Coventry. Before todays match Iceland were second in the group, on 12 poins, behind the Czechs on 15. Germany (who are the reigning U-21 champions since last summer) were 3rd on 7 points!!! Well after tonighs result in Germany which ended 2-2!! Iceland have most probably left the big boys of Germany behind, a no mean feat and a testament of the talent currently coming through in Iceland. Gylfi nor Aron Gunnarsson of Coventry played today but we still managed a draw. Furthermore is Iceland the highest scorers of all the teams in qualifying. We spanked Northern Ireland 6-2 in Belfast last autumn. All I have to say to Reading, dont stop looking at Icelandic players, there are some good ones coming through.

I hope you spotted my tongue firmly in my cheek !

It amazes me how Iceland turns out so many good footballers. They all seem to have very good technique and be real good pros. Must be something in the water !
Gylfi will clearly make the breakthrough at some time and it will be a proud moment when he does.

even more amazing seeing as they have a population equivalant in numbers to reading.

[Hoop Blah]

I think it might help them that any half decent ones get accelerated through their system quickly and so it helps them with their progress.

They then get snapped up as cheap prospects and start playing at a higher level abroad. Being a big fish in a small pond has it's advantages along the way.

They seem a level headed and hardy bunch though, I think that makes them excellent professionals well suited to the English game.

Have they really produced that many good players though? Any more than Reading has in the same time over the last 10 or 15 years?

[brendywendy]

a handfull in the prem, a nother handfull in the championship.

how many players from reading are there out there?

[Hoop Blah]

a handfull in the prem, a nother handfull in the championship.

how many players from reading are there out there?

Currently in the Premiership, off the top of my head:

Walcott (that might be a generous one coming from Compton, but Greater Greater Reading perhaps!)
Mullins
Ashdown
Soares (but obviously on loan to Sheff Weds in the Championship at the moment)

None in the class of a Eidar Gudjohsson or anything like that.

In the Championship there are a few more (ignoring the ones at Reading as I think we know those few):
Tyson
Barnes
Cox

Plus others like, Burton and Beavon in the lower leagues.

I'm sure there are more that don't spring to mind though.

[Factfinder]

The real question to be asked is what on earth is he doing in their U21 side anyway !

I'd be surprised if Iceland have more than 30 or 40 decent players so he should be playing for the first team.

Clearly something is rotten in Icelandic football.....

Germany 2- Iceland 2!!!!

Yes but Iceland has now a real chance to qualify for the U-21 European championship with quality players like Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (AZ Alkmaar), Siggy (Reading) and Aron Gunnarsson Coventry. Before todays match Iceland were second in the group, on 12 poins, behind the Czechs on 15. Germany (who are the reigning U-21 champions since last summer) were 3rd on 7 points!!! Well after tonighs result in Germany which ended 2-2!! Iceland have most probably left the big boys of Germany behind, a no mean feat and a testament of the talent currently coming through in Iceland. Gylfi nor Aron Gunnarsson of Coventry played today but we still managed a draw. Furthermore is Iceland the highest scorers of all the teams in qualifying. We spanked Northern Ireland 6-2 in Belfast last autumn. All I have to say to Reading, dont stop looking at Icelandic players, there are some good ones coming through.

Good point, they might be trying to make an impression at that level and then kick on with a young squad at full international level.


Meanwhile Reading might just have him wrapped in cotton-wool ahead of the Villa clash.

[brendywendy]

a handfull in the prem, a nother handfull in the championship.

how many players from reading are there out there?

Currently in the Premiership, off the top of my head:

Walcott (that might be a generous one coming from Compton, but Greater Greater Reading perhaps!)
Mullins
Ashdown
Soares (but obviously on loan to Sheff Weds in the Championship at the moment)

None in the class of a Eidar Gudjohsson or anything like that.

In the Championship there are a few more (ignoring the ones at Reading as I think we know those few):
Tyson
Barnes
Cox

Plus others like, Burton and Beavon in the lower leagues.

I'm sure there are more that don't spring to mind though.

fair play on your correctness

[Hoop Blah]

fair play on your correctness

Can't believe you ever doubted it!

[brendywendy]

i shall endeavor not to underestimate you again

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

I remember Ivar talking about the desire a lot of Icelandic players have due to the fact most have experienced real life. Not being nurtured through academies and having to work for a living while playing football in Iceland.

I think it's a very good point, you could see the same in Doyle.

Obviously Sig's not an example of this, he's just a demi God....

[IcelandicStokie]

Gylfi is hopeful on playing on saturday.

"I landed awkardly on the foot against Sheff Wed and I didnt want to take the chance on playing against Germany. The ankle has swollen up and after receiving treatment from the physio it was decided that it wasnt worth the risk," said Gylfi to Icelandic newspaper Morgunblaðið.

"I am recovering well. I could jog a bit today (yesterday) and I sure as hell hope that I will have fully recovered before the game against Villa. It would be devestating to miss the game but I expect to play."

[southbank1871]

Gylfi is hopeful on playing on saturday.

"I landed awkardly on the foot against Sheff Wed and I didnt want to take the chance on playing against Germany. The ankle has swollen up and after receiving treatment from the physio it was decided that it wasnt worth the risk," said Gylfi to Icelandic newspaper Morgunblaðið.

"I am recovering well. I could jog a bit today (yesterday) and I sure as hell hope that I will have fully recovered before the game against Villa. It would be devestating to miss the game but I expect to play."

I'd rather he played on Sunday tbf