I suppose someone should do it...Overrated Players

[Alan Partridge]

Hughesy!!

You could also argue that Hughes was underrated!

I just nearly choked!!

[Top Flight]

Just cause Hughes has gone and we have moved from strength to strength.

But there was massive debate over Hughes while he was with us! Some people thought he was way over rated and should be out the team.

Others of us thought he was completely under rated and people felt that others failed to see his value to the team. The energetic displays. The covering of every blade of grass. The closing down at 100 mph. He helped the defense out alot.

Its easy in hindsight, but Hughes was the centre of massive HNA debate! He was argued to be seriously underrated by many nobbers!

[rhaines]

You lack a point because you are considering your opinion as true

It's my opinion, just as you have yours.

Marcus never came to the club with any reputation.

That's true - but that doesn't make any differance.

Marcus gets slated by all that see him play when he f*cks up during a match.

That's not what I have found.

As far as Marcus concerned there are no RTG's.

Again, that's not what I have found.

With no assumed reputation to maintain you could hardly ever call Marcus 'Overrated'.

He arrived without a reputation but has build one up during his time with us, like you said with hard work. I think that the reputation he has got now is a little over the top.

He's proved his worth time & time again.

Agreed - he is a great shot stopper. But there are areas that aren't so good.

The facts are Marcus is not overated.

The fact is that Marcus is a good keeper. I would disagree with you though because I just think the hype about him is a little over the top.

There is no agreement to disagree - you are wrong in your synopsis.

I'm just stating my opinion. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, it's just what I think.

Look, you've made yourself look like a right cock. If you dont want to back down in the face of facts and say you're wrong thats fine.

But labelling a player who got us to the promised land by stating they're overated is just poor. He will be legend of RFC history in years to come, and, once you've grown up a bit and taken stock of what we, and Marcus has achived individually & collectivly then maybe your view will mature.

I suggest though you put the point out to the wider audience, and do a pole thread as you are so assured with yuor opinion. I mean what have you got to lose?

You've made yourself look like a cock with your refusual to accept his opinion.

Marcus is over rated in my opinion, that doesn't mean he isn't a good keeper.

You silly cvnt. Keep it on with your anti-yank diatribes. Your agenda is plain to see.

[handbags_harris]

Plenty of overrated players in the last 20 years or so it appears...

James Lambert
Nicky Forster
Anthony Rougier
Andy Hughes
Martin Butler
Les Ferdinand
Martin Keown
Sammy Igoe
The Magnificent 7 (Patrick Kelly, Scott Howie, Stuart Gray, Robert Fleck, Jim McIntyre, Jimmy Crawford, Paul Brayson)
Bobby Mihailov
99% of Burns Buys (Pick 99% from: Patrick Kelly, Scott Howie, Stuart Gray, Robert Fleck, Jim McIntyre, Jimmy Crawford, Paul Brayson, Grant Brebner, Graeme Murty, Mark Reilly, Peter van der Kwaak, Elroy Kromheer, Mass Sarr, Chris Casper, Neil Clement, John Polston, Andy Wright, Andy Gurney, Tony Thorpe, Mark McKeever, Tony Barras, Alan Maybury, Andy McLaren, Keith Scott, Sean Evers, Nicky Forster, Neil Smith, Peter Grant...if I've missed anyone no doubt someone will pick me up!)
Darren Caskey
Bobby Convey
Steve Sidwell
Sean Evers
Keith Scott
Mark McKeever
Mark Reilly
Robert Fleck
Paul Brayson
Neville Roach
Andy Legg
Leroy Lita
Paul Holsgrove
Keith Jones
Steve Archibald
Hughie Cheetham
Shaun Goater
Ray Houghton
Luke Chadwick
Bas Savage
Michael Meaker
Carl Asaba
Trevor Morley
Archie Lovell
Robin Friday
Lawrie Sanchez
James Harper
Steven Gerrard
Lee Nogan
Steve Moran

5 of those I think are incredible suggestions, although I freely admit I never saw one play. Quite where Steven Gerrard fits in I don't know, but the ironic sarcasm was taken on board!

Any more for any more?

[leon]

Labelling a player who got us to the promised land by stating they're overated is just poor.

You seem to think that I'm saying that he is a bad player - thats not my point.

No hidden meaning in what I write -i t is what it is. You labelled him Overrated, and I say you're out of order. Quite simple really.

Dear me...it's all about opinions...

you're coming across as a bit of a twat - FACT

Keep out of it Newbie!

???

Pr*ck.

And whoever said Trevor Morley should be ashamed. He kept us up one season with his falling over/winning penalty/scoring penalty routine.

[leon]

Labelling a player who got us to the promised land by stating they're overated is just poor.

You seem to think that I'm saying that he is a bad player - thats not my point.

No hidden meaning in what I write -i t is what it is. You labelled him Overrated, and I say you're out of order. Quite simple really.

Dear me...it's all about opinions...

you're coming across as a bit of a twat - FACT

Keep out of it Newbie!

???

Pr*ck.

And whoever said Trevor Morley should be ashamed. He kept us up one season with his falling over/winning penalty/scoring penalty routine.

[Royalee]

Labelling a player who got us to the promised land by stating they're overated is just poor.

You seem to think that I'm saying that he is a bad player - thats not my point.

No hidden meaning in what I write -i t is what it is. You labelled him Overrated, and I say you're out of order. Quite simple really.

Dear me...it's all about opinions...

you're coming across as a bit of a twat - FACT

Keep out of it Newbie!

???

Pr*ck.

And whoever said Trevor Morley should be ashamed. He kept us up one season with his falling over/winning penalty/scoring penalty routine.

He was a has been playing in a rubbish team and no, I am not ashamed.

[leon]

Labelling a player who got us to the promised land by stating they're overated is just poor.

You seem to think that I'm saying that he is a bad player - thats not my point.

No hidden meaning in what I write -i t is what it is. You labelled him Overrated, and I say you're out of order. Quite simple really.

Dear me...it's all about opinions...

you're coming across as a bit of a twat - FACT

Keep out of it Newbie!

???

Pr*ck.

And whoever said Trevor Morley should be ashamed. He kept us up one season with his falling over/winning penalty/scoring penalty routine.

He was a has been playing in a rubbish team and no, I am not ashamed.

Fair enough, you're right it was a terrible team and he was no spring chicken but his goals kept us up. You naughty man.

[Tinrib]

I appreciate that we're talking about opinions, but opinions are often based on what we know & what we see. Only after the fact can we qualify those, but as Marcus comes with no visable to the outside world ' billy big bollocks ' rating you could never accuse him of being overated.

And Boston, peoples opinions are often found to be wrong. Just because they're opinions it does not mean they're not open to examination. Steve tried his best and after telling me about how well/bad Marcus has been playing (not relevent to the question) went on to tell me what other 'people' allegedly thought.

I said I lived in hope, and actually my hope was borne out. Thanks Tinrib for a measured response to my post. I agree with you that opinions can be found to be wrong (or at least illogical); this post did far more to support your opinion and oppose Rich's than previous posts which appeared unnecessarily aggressive.

Thanks, although I do not subscribe to a percieved 'social etiquette' within this board, and neither expect any back. - The case in point really falls down anyhow, as steve has commented on the other subject specified thread that ' We seem to have different definitions of overrated though '.

My Oxford english / anglo saxon version of the meaning does not ring true with him, which probably explains more in one sentance than his opinions in the other 10 responses.

So, where do you sit - Marcus overated ? yea or nea?

[papereyes]

If its the amount of kicks that go out for a throw you're on about, thats down to instructions and not ability. How many keepers would even attempt to put a 70 yard pass on a six pence when the target is standing 2 yards from the touchline? Some outfield players would struggle with that. He goes for a killer ball that will always fail a lot of the time, and when it does we only concede a throw. Wise up, his kicking is about as good as you will ever get.

I think its been pretty average this season and was better in the past.

At Villa, he managed to get the ball straight through to their keeper 3 or 4 times. Decent kicks in themselves but ... come on ...

[Dr Hfuhruhurr]

OK, a short, recent history of overrated players that Im sure will make me very unpopular.

Jamie Cureton
Was found out in the championship - a definite lower league player. However, when "dropped" by Pardew, this was blamed on some rift between manager and player rather than the fact that Jamie hadnt played well for a long time. Put in some of the worst performances Ive seen from a Reading striker. Even when he left for Korea in a cynical move, his popularity didnt wane. Has been properly surpassed recently.

Graham Murty
I still dont understand how a player who had a season where he couldnt play well anywhere North of Watford and seems to be out of position for half the goals we let in wins player of the season? A complete mystery.

Marcus Hannehmann
I wasnt going to mention him but hes not a legend, nor one of the top 5 keepers in the premiership. He spills far too many balls for that. Good keeper, though, but not that good.

[southbank1871]

OK, a short, recent history of overrated players that Im sure will make me very unpopular.

Jamie Cureton
Was found out in the championship - a definite lower league player. However, when "dropped" by Pardew, this was blamed on some rift between manager and player rather than the fact that Jamie hadnt played well for a long time. Put in some of the worst performances Ive seen from a Reading striker. Even when he left for Korea in a cynical move, his popularity didnt wane. Has been properly surpassed recently.

Graham Murty
I still dont understand how a player who had a season where he couldnt play well anywhere North of Watford and seems to be out of position for half the goals we let in wins player of the season? A complete mystery.

Marcus Hannehmann
I wasnt going to mention him but hes not a legend, nor one of the top 5 keepers in the premiership. He spills far too many balls for that. Good keeper, though, but not that good.

Oh God, you've just dared to suggest that two members of the current team have flaws. That won't be tolerated around here.

[Rich@Eaststand]

Thanks, although I do not subscribe to a percieved 'social etiquette' within this board, and neither expect any back. - The case in point really falls down anyhow, as steve has commented on the other subject specified thread that ' We seem to have different definitions of overrated though '.

My Oxford english / anglo saxon version of the meaning does not ring true with him, which probably explains more in one sentance than his opinions in the other 10 responses.

So, where do you sit - Marcus overated ? yea or nea?

The difference is that your opinion of Marcus is based on the fact that he was a free transfer from a club where he was 3rd or 4th choice and has done well since joining us.
That's fair enough.

My opinion is based on the fact that he is an International Goalkeeper who now plays in the Premiership.

You are going to just have to accept that we have differant views on it.

[roberto_11]

The most over rated Reading player I can remember is most definitely Shaun Goater. So many people rated him, and defended him on here when he was slow, lazy and had a crap touch. Owusu looked good in comparison. He came with a £500,000 fee and an expectation of getting us 20+ goals to get us promoted. Started off alright but then turned into the most frustrating player to watch. He just wouldn't run for anything, or look like he was bothered. He never linked up play or added anything to the team. Yes he scored a few important goals to in us games (Millwall away 1 example) but his overall contribution compared to his reputation was shocking.

[Tinrib]

Thanks, although I do not subscribe to a percieved 'social etiquette' within this board, and neither expect any back. - The case in point really falls down anyhow, as steve has commented on the other subject specified thread that ' We seem to have different definitions of overrated though '.

My Oxford english / anglo saxon version of the meaning does not ring true with him, which probably explains more in one sentance than his opinions in the other 10 responses.

So, where do you sit - Marcus overated ? yea or nea?

The difference is that your opinion of Marcus is based on the fact that he was a free transfer from a club where he was 3rd or 4th choice and has done well since joining us.
That's fair enough.

My opinion is based on the fact that he is an International Goalkeeper who now plays in the Premiership.

You are going to just have to accept that we have differant views on it.

Thats fine. I do.

FYI - Actim stats thus far this season rate Marcus as the 4th best keeper in the Prem.

[Rich@Eaststand]

Thats fine. I do.

FYI - Actim stats thus far this season rate Marcus as the 4th best keeper in the Prem.

So we agree to disagree then?! Yay!

[RoyalBlue]

To the posters who 'laud' Caskeys achievement of 20 plus goals in the (i think) 1999 season. The fact that is took him 4-5 full seasons for him to make such an impact speaks volumes. Incidentally a big chunk of his goals came from free kicks or pens- hardly effort grinding achievements. His relatively poor following season in a reading team that got to the playoff finals was 'rewarded' when he took the greeedy option no doubt egged on by Eric Hall to gun for Notts County and his fall from grace. Overrated players in my opinion ARE players of the Caskey/Nogan type that had one season of note but over a period of time with the Royals never repeated their supposed form.

Of course it's dead easy to come on as a sub and bury a crucial free kick with your very first touch of the ball and any old fool can score penalties (as we've all seen since) so they don't count! And 20 plus goals in one season from a midfielder is no big deal - it happens all the time! And let's not bother to recognise countless assists or the fact that he also suffered from a badly broken leg whilst he was with us.

As for Eric Hall, I think a check back through the media reports will actually show that he was very instrumental in getting Caskey to sign a new contract with us the first time it came up for renewal but then you'd hate him for that anyway!

[floyd__streete]

So Marcus isn't in the top 5 Premiership keepers according to the subjective opinions of many HNA experts which therefore means he is overrated?

Overrated by whom exactly? RFC supporters, because his name is chanted repeatedly and often? That makes him popular not overrated - there is a difference! I have a lot of time for Marcus and someone like Murts whilst fully appreciative of the fact that they have a few weaknesses (in Marcus's case I worry whenever the opposition have a freekick 20-odd yards out, he struggles to get his large frame down to a low struck effort, ie. Middlesbrough).

Dare I suggest that (IMHO) it is a bit daft to say that Hahnemann is overrated. I think his popularity is due to his excellent relationship with the fans rather than being particularly overrated. Just my personal opinion/observation though.

[dobcheck]

I will get slated for this but i don't care, parky was overrated, everyone seems to think he was brilliant, yeah he gave 100% and got stuck in but in terms of being a good player he was not fit to lace the boots of players like mick gooding, simon osborn or sidders. It always makes me laugh how some people slated andy hughes yet worship the ground parky walked in when basically they were the same box to box all huff and puff type players with limited ability.

[Only one Trevor Morley]

Labelling a player who got us to the promised land by stating they're overated is just poor.

You seem to think that I'm saying that he is a bad player - thats not my point.

No hidden meaning in what I write -i t is what it is. You labelled him Overrated, and I say you're out of order. Quite simple really.

Dear me...it's all about opinions...

you're coming across as a bit of a twat - FACT

Keep out of it Newbie!

???

Pr*ck.

And whoever said Trevor Morley should be ashamed. He kept us up one season with his falling over/winning penalty/scoring penalty routine.

He was a has been playing in a rubbish team and no, I am not ashamed.

How dare you! Surely him playing kept us up that year. The very fact he was in a rubbish team strengthens the argument that he did well that season