Comments from other clubs' fans on sig...

[BobKnows]

That hurts.

Maybe you need to get out more

[rob the royal]

Of course we had to sell Gylfi. However our activity since shows how much ambition we really have.

1 day.

There's ambitious and there's stupid.

Except that I also agree with this... I'd rather we don't spend the money rashly just because we've got it (but equally I wonder how much will go to the transfer kitty... most likely a lot of it will disappear).

[Tredder]

We've made £25m in player sales over three years (EDIT: net profit not gross!)

You don't have to feel we have a divine right to the Premiership, or even to holding on to our best assets, to feel a bit mugged by the lack of serious investment in the playing squad.

So quieten down and move along now, will you?

25m isn't the net figure though is it, offset the wages that were paid in the time they were there, reducing said wage bill, agents fees, other clauses etc.. combine that with the upkeep of the ground, renegotiated wages and contracts, sundries etc etc etc

[rhroyal]

Of course we had to sell Gylfi. However our activity since shows how much ambition we really have.

1 day.

There's ambitious and there's stupid.

If it really was that predictable we would have had a few irons in the fire ready. Bad management otherwise.

[Blue Hooped Moose]

We were told at the start of the summer there was a £4mill deficit to fill. People have listed ins and outs on various threads and we've more than filled that, yet we still haven't strengthened our attacking options. Conclusion? We're not making the best of our resources and doing the best we can.

A deficit of 4 million means that our income (how much we generate in revenue; think of it as the pocket money you get every week) is less than our expenditure (how much we spend; think of this as the amount you spend on sweeties every week)

A sale of a player will plug that gap for 1 year, maybe more - the problem is, what happens after that? We are still running at a deficit unless we sell more players. Now, if that deficit increases then we need an overdraft or loan to cover it - which costs more in interest, etc.

It's really not that difficult to understand...

I'm pretty sure that if Brian wanted 1 million pounds for a player then he'd be given it so long as the players wages fit within the wage structure and don't increase the deficit. I can see JM's issue with not wanting to subsidise players wages as this is where you end up in financial trouble down the road. "Hi Mr Prospective seller - please buy my club with X million in loans / overdrafts and you'll also have to cover Y million in wages every year. Deal?"

[Tredder]

Seriously, get a pfucking grip, 2 seasons in the premiership has gone to your heads, the player in question expressed a desire to leave if the right opportunity came along, it did, and Reading negotiated the best deal they could, he went for 6 million quid, he cost you pfuck all, unless you are a one man team, then it's good business, the club has to finance itself somehow, the crowds are down, but still far greater than they were 10/15 years ago.
You used to mock clubs like QPR, Leeds, Forest etc.. for thinking they had some divine right to the elite division, no one has that, no matter what infrastructure they have in place, you have a sound ground, sound financial status and an academy that is producing great talent, sometimes, offers come in that far exceed any expectation, this time was one, so stop bleating about Gylfis name on a shirt, dogs called Gylfi, shirts needing to be signed before people croke it and Madejski being a waste of space, Reading are what they are, and like most of the women i root, we are both, on ocasions, punching well above our weight.

A good read and pretty much spot on.

I don't agree we are punching above our weight though. I think we are at just the right level our infrastructure and ongoing business plan can support (ie lower to mid championship).

On occasions, only on occasions.

[RobRoyal]

We've made £25m in player sales over three years (EDIT: net profit not gross!)

You don't have to feel we have a divine right to the Premiership, or even to holding on to our best assets, to feel a bit mugged by the lack of serious investment in the playing squad.

So quieten down and move along now, will you?

25m isn't the net figure though is it, offset the wages that were paid in the time they were there, reducing said wage bill, agents fees, other clauses etc.. combine that with the upkeep of the ground, renegotiated wages and contracts, sundries etc etc etc

Do other clubs not incur these expenses? Even amongst clubs relegated from the Premiership, is net transfer profit of £25m normal? And shouldn't it be less necessary the less money you splurge in the attempt to stay in the Premiership? We spent very little in order to keep the club on the right footing. But apparently we're still having to generate millions every year to keep our heads above water.

It must be pretty easy to criticise fans' reaction from where QPR are right now, able to offer to double McAnuff's wages and without pressure to sell. The fact is that some clubs are run better than others, and the fans of some will complain, and it needn't have anything to do with a misplaced sense of entitlement.

[Norfolk Royal]

Tbf I've never seen anyone on here mocking QPR for thinking they have a divine right to be in the Premier League.

Half the posters won't even be old enough to remember when they were!

[Row Z Royal]

Of course we had to sell Gylfi. However our activity since shows how much ambition we really have.

1 day.

There's ambitious and there's stupid.

If it really was that predictable we would have had a few irons in the fire ready. Bad management otherwise.

Who said it was predictable?

[rhroyal]

The same people that said we shouldn't be angry at the sale of Siggy because it's inevitable to lose a player of that quality. The 2 arguments go hand in hand. Even if there was nothing concrete a few days go, the club must have surely been open to the possibility of losing Siggy. They should have had potential replacements to enquire about lined up.

[Tredder]

The same people that said we shouldn't be angry at the sale of Siggy because it's inevitable to lose a player of that quality. The 2 arguments go hand in hand. Even if there was nothing concrete a few days go, the club must have surely been open to the possibility of losing Siggy. They should have had potential replacements to enquire about lined up.

You have, Lee Hendrie

[Snowball]

I am genuinely pleased we have sold Gylfi.

IMO the club has totally restructured since the debts incurred moving upwards to a good second-tier club
and then those two years in the Prem.

7 Million is brilliant business. I loved to watch Gylfi but it was obvious he would go sooner rather than later.

I held a small hope we might sell him, say, to Arsenal, and get him back as a loanee, but it was a small hope.

We now have a decent squad, up to six players who can play centreback (weeks ago that was a weakness)

Mills-Kish-Pearce-Harte-Ingi-Gunnar

We have Griffin at RB covered by Gunnar, Mcanuff, Cummings and Kish?

LB we have Harte covered by Williams, Cummings (the injured Kelly and maybe Armstrong after he gets back from Lourdes)

We have a keeper good enough to be linked to Liverpool and Fulham, and three very decent keepers just behind.

Suddenly we have what looks to me to be a great blend of youth and experience at the back.

Mills & Pearce should learn loads from the old hands, as should Williams and Cummings




We have an "OK" midfield with Tabb, Howard, Karacan backed up by Gunnar, plus Taylor (a great prospect) and maybe Hendrie

On the wings, Kebe & McAnuff are top-drawer at this level, and Antonio will be pushing them along with HRK

Church and Long managed 21 goals last year, despite neither playing the whole season. Hunt, if he's over his injury
is an excellent striker (11 premiership goals in one season while carrying that long-term injury)

Back-up from Bignall and maybe Mooney in emergency

I find it hard to imagine that squad as anything worse than top half of the table.

And the money is now sorted, the only way is up!!!

[sheshnu]

You have, Lee Hendrie

Cheap signings don't count. When have Reading ever got anywhere by signing players on the cheap?

[Norfolk Royal]

I am genuinely pleased we have sold Gylfi.

IMO the club has totally restructured since the debts incurred moving upwards to a good second-tier club
and then those two years in the Prem.

7 Million is brilliant business. I loved to watch Gylfi but it was obvious he would go sooner rather than later.

I held a small hope we might sell him, say, to Arsenal, and get him back as a loanee, but it was a small hope.

We now have a decent squad, up to six players who can play centreback (weeks ago that was a weakness)

Mills-Kish-Pearce-Harte-Ingi-Gunnar

We have Griffin at RB covered by Gunnar, Mcanuff, Cummings and Kish?

LB we have Harte covered by Williams, Cummings (the injured Kelly and maybe Armstrong after he gets back from Lourdes)

We have a keeper good enough to be linked to Liverpool and Fulham, and three very decent keepers just behind.

Suddenly we have what looks to me to be a great blend of youth and experience at the back.

Mills & Pearce should learn loads from the old hands, as should Williams and Cummings




We have an "OK" midfield with Tabb, Howard, Karacan backed up by Gunnar, plus Taylor (a great prospect) and maybe Hendrie

On the wings, Kebe & McAnuff are top-drawer at this level, and Antonio will be pushing them along with HRK

Church and Long managed 21 goals last year, despite neither playing the whole season. Hunt, if he's over his injury
is an excellent striker (11 premiership goals in one season while carrying that long-term injury)

Back-up from Bignall and maybe Mooney in emergency

I find it hard to imagine that squad as anything worse than top half of the table.

And the money is now sorted, the only way is up!!!

Agreed, promotion should be a shoe-in.

[Snowball]

The same people that said we shouldn't be angry at the sale of Siggy because it's inevitable to lose a player of that quality. The 2 arguments go hand in hand. Even if there was nothing concrete a few days go, the club must have surely been open to the possibility of losing Siggy. They should have had potential replacements to enquire about lined up.

You have, Lee Hendrie

Looks to me like Harte had a whisper in his ear, and that maybe Reading knew Gylfi was likely to go, had planned for it.

And don't you think Kish went very quiet? I think he knew where he would be playing this year.

Nevertheless it's hard to commit pen to paper until the important bit is finalised

[robinsfriday]

Seriously, get a pfucking grip, 2 seasons in the premiership has gone to your heads, the player in question expressed a desire to leave if the right opportunity came along, it did, and Reading negotiated the best deal they could, he went for 6 million quid, he cost you pfuck all, unless you are a one man team, then it's good business, the club has to finance itself somehow, the crowds are down, but still far greater than they were 10/15 years ago.
You used to mock clubs like QPR, Leeds, Forest etc.. for thinking they had some divine right to the elite division, no one has that, no matter what infrastructure they have in place, you have a sound ground, sound financial status and an academy that is producing great talent, sometimes, offers come in that far exceed any expectation, this time was one, so stop bleating about Gylfis name on a shirt, dogs called Gylfi, shirts needing to be signed before people croke it and Madejski being a waste of space, Reading are what they are, and like most of the women i root, we are both, on ocasions, punching well above our weight.

Fooking ace post.

[soggy biscuit]

When have Reading ever got anywhere by signing players on the cheap?

[Jeffers217]

I am genuinely pleased we have sold Gylfi.

IMO the club has totally restructured since the debts incurred moving upwards to a good second-tier club
and then those two years in the Prem.

7 Million is brilliant business. I loved to watch Gylfi but it was obvious he would go sooner rather than later.

I held a small hope we might sell him, say, to Arsenal, and get him back as a loanee, but it was a small hope.

We now have a decent squad, up to six players who can play centreback (weeks ago that was a weakness)

Mills-Kish-Pearce-Harte-Ingi-Gunnar

We have Griffin at RB covered by Gunnar, Mcanuff, Cummings and Kish?

LB we have Harte covered by Williams, Cummings (the injured Kelly and maybe Armstrong after he gets back from Lourdes)

We have a keeper good enough to be linked to Liverpool and Fulham, and three very decent keepers just behind.

Suddenly we have what looks to me to be a great blend of youth and experience at the back.

Mills & Pearce should learn loads from the old hands, as should Williams and Cummings




We have an "OK" midfield with Tabb, Howard, Karacan backed up by Gunnar, plus Taylor (a great prospect) and maybe Hendrie

On the wings, Kebe & McAnuff are top-drawer at this level, and Antonio will be pushing them along with HRK

Church and Long managed 21 goals last year, despite neither playing the whole season. Hunt, if he's over his injury
is an excellent striker (11 premiership goals in one season while carrying that long-term injury)

Back-up from Bignall and maybe Mooney in emergency

I find it hard to imagine that squad as anything worse than top half of the table.

And the money is now sorted, the only way is up!!!

The club will not be in the top half of the table mate without goals will it?! The Sig was such an influential player to us, he improved the performances of Kebe and McAnuff. We have replaced a 20+ a season man with sod all- how can you expect Howard or Karacan to emulate that? The only player who has the distinct possibility of scoring that amount is the INJURY-PRONE N Hunt who we are placing a hell of a lot of hope on. If he gets injured in the coming months, then we start to look very stupid. At least before this sale, we had a player who was able to score goals out of nothing and lifted the rest of the team. Please name me the 2 games The Sig hasn't featured in this season??? I believe they were 2 cup games against League 2 opposition that we REALLY struggled in. Top half?!?! I'd be happy with survival mate- get some realism

[Big Foot]

I am genuinely pleased we have sold Gylfi.

IMO the club has totally restructured since the debts incurred moving upwards to a good second-tier club
and then those two years in the Prem.

7 Million is brilliant business. I loved to watch Gylfi but it was obvious he would go sooner rather than later.

I held a small hope we might sell him, say, to Arsenal, and get him back as a loanee, but it was a small hope.

We now have a decent squad, up to six players who can play centreback (weeks ago that was a weakness)

Mills-Kish-Pearce-Harte-Ingi-Gunnar

We have Griffin at RB covered by Gunnar, Mcanuff, Cummings and Kish?

LB we have Harte covered by Williams, Cummings (the injured Kelly and maybe Armstrong after he gets back from Lourdes)

We have a keeper good enough to be linked to Liverpool and Fulham, and three very decent keepers just behind.

Suddenly we have what looks to me to be a great blend of youth and experience at the back.

Mills & Pearce should learn loads from the old hands, as should Williams and Cummings




We have an "OK" midfield with Tabb, Howard, Karacan backed up by Gunnar, plus Taylor (a great prospect) and maybe Hendrie

On the wings, Kebe & McAnuff are top-drawer at this level, and Antonio will be pushing them along with HRK

Church and Long managed 21 goals last year, despite neither playing the whole season. Hunt, if he's over his injury
is an excellent striker (11 premiership goals in one season while carrying that long-term injury)

Back-up from Bignall and maybe Mooney in emergency

I find it hard to imagine that squad as anything worse than top half of the table.

And the money is now sorted, the only way is up!!!

Noel Hunt scored in the Premiership?

[Royal With Cheese]

In every club's message boards you'll get idiots talking shit about where their club should or shouldn't be. I'm sure I can find the QPR equivalent of Royalee, SDR, LoyalRoyal22 and the rest.

I understand your sentiments Tredds but ultimately this forum was set up by a Reading fan for Reading fans to discuss Reading Football Club.

I would have more respect for your views it you'd actually stuck around the forum during that great period in our club's history rather than turning up like a bad penny again when things started to get tough.