Aaron Kuhl

[paultheroyal]

And he's not a central midfielder.

And he won't play for Reading again.

[Hoop Blah]

We've never sent an outfield youth player out on a season long loan who has subsequently gone on to play in the first team. The closest is Jake Taylor who was on loan from the end of September to the end of the season.

I think it is very unlikely that we will start now.

That's a good point, although you could argue that Scott Davies did, but ultimately that proves your point. I don't most of the above meant sending Kuhl out on a season long loan though, but a good 3 month stint or two might be just what he needs to really get to grips with the demands of first team football (just like Pearce, Karacan, Sigurdsson, Hector etc have done)

I make Kuhl third choice currently, fourth if Quinn signs. Last season would indicate that Tshibola is behind him in the pecking order. Kuhl was picked ahead of him, considered for loan to League One, kept at the club as injury cover, and selected by England. I can see him overtaking Norwood by the end of the season.

That's how I see it too, my only question mark is over how much Tshibola might've kicked on whilst on loan and perhaps he might benefit enough from that to leapfrog Kuhl.

Taylor's role this season should probably be about the same as Andy Hughes' if we hadn't managed to sell him in 2005. He has a knack for scoring goals and he works hard defensively, and he's a great set piece taker, but he doesn't offer enough. Might take him ahead of Blackman but not Stacey, Fosu, Tshibola, Tanner, or Kuhl.

Akpan might have a tactical role to play if we're only concerned about increasing the average height, but he shouldn't be "ahead" of Kuhl or Tshibola. Agree with Ian, though I'm hesitant about whether Clarke actually wants to pick technique over brawn.

What I think will happen with Kuhl: he'll get some game time in August until we sign a midfielder. He'll then fade out of the picture through September. In October we'll send him on a month's loan in League One, maybe Walsall, maybe Doncaster, maybe Crewe. If someone gets injured we'll bring him back, otherwise he'll stay there until January. He'll do well, in January we'll bring him back and the RTGs will spin it as a new signing. At some point he'll take Norwood's place and will not look back. Now this is all made up bollocks but that's roughly how it usually goes.

Again, I can see most of that standing a good chance of happening and I hope it's a real breakthrough season for Kuhl as I just like the way he plays. I think he has to learn to boss a game a be a bit more of a terrier to impress Clarke. He's good in the tackle and reads the game well to be in the right place, he just might not be busy enough to win Clarke's trust. I think that goes for Norwood too.

[Rollerbob]

Think Kuhl will perhaps find himself in a similar position to Samuel this season as the 4th/5th choice starter in his position.

Samuel is behind Sa, Pog, Cox, Blackman (maybe) & potentially one other new striker.

Kuhl is behind Williams, Norwood, Quinn, Akpan and probably Taylor.

Could be a tough year to break into the 1st team.

[SCIAG]

Think Kuhl will perhaps find himself in a similar position to Samuel this season as the 4th/5th choice starter in his position.

Samuel is behind Sa, Pog, Cox, Blackman (maybe) & potentially one other new striker.

Kuhl is behind Williams, Norwood, Quinn, Akpan and probably Taylor.

Could be a tough year to break into the 1st team.

No way Taylor's ahead of Kuhl. Akpan might be, but I'm skeptical.

I think Clarke probably prefers Samuel to both Cox and Blackman. I'd be surprised if we sign another striker, even with the rumoured Donalson bids - goalkeeper, central defence, left wing and left back should be higher priorities.

[shaka's shorts]

I reckon Kuhl will be loaned out. I expect Tish to be ahead of him now he is proven in league 2. Maybe Kuhl to Hartlepool? Or Wycombe now that we are increasing our links with them....

[handbags_harris]

No way should Taylor be ahead of Kuhl, he's an awful player.

If by "awful" you mean going about your business in a neat and tidy, unceremonioua manner not making many mistakes then yeah, I suppose he's awful

He doesn't make any mistakes because he's hardly in the games when he plays. A few well taken goals were all that kept him in the side last season. Awful may be a bit harsh but he certainly isn't a championship standard player.

Never said he was chap, I just fin it disheartening that people can be so obviously crass about a player who supports the club and has never let the club down in any way, shape or form. He may not be Championship standard, but he's far from awful.

Or maybe I'm just getting a bit soft, tired and emotional in my old age

[Z175]

Think Kuhl will perhaps find himself in a similar position to Samuel this season as the 4th/5th choice starter in his position.

Samuel is behind Sa, Pog, Cox, Blackman (maybe) & potentially one other new striker.

Kuhl is behind Williams, Norwood, Quinn, Akpan and probably Taylor.

Could be a tough year to break into the 1st team.

No way Taylor's ahead of Kuhl. Akpan might be, but I'm skeptical.

I think Clarke probably prefers Samuel to both Cox and Blackman. I'd be surprised if we sign another striker, even with the rumoured Donalson bids - goalkeeper, central defence, left wing and left back should be higher priorities.

I think Clarke isn't the type to have an established pecking order but he was certainly not that keen on Cox and Norwood last season.
And as Adkins and Clarke and even McDermott struggled to get anything from Blackman and Akpan I can't imagine either of them suddenly coming good this season either.

So I would imagine that Samuel and Kuhl have every chance of being involved this season and that they will certainly be first team squad members.

I'd be sad for Norwood, Cox or Taylor to find themselves marginalised though, personally I don't think any of them has done much wrong in a Reading shirt. On the other hand Blackman and Akpan can go now as far as I'm concerned...

[SCIAG]

I'd be sad for Norwood, Cox or Taylor to find themselves marginalised though, personally I don't think any of them has done much wrong in a Reading shirt. On the other hand Blackman and Akpan can go now as far as I'm concerned...

Agree on Norwood, Cox, Blackman and Akpan.

Taylor hasn't done much wrong, that's true. He just hasn't done enough right.

He's probably our best winger defensively, he's clinical inside the area and he has a good understanding with Obita, he just doesn't give opposition defenders any trouble.

He might be suitable for some specialised opponents, like if we face a side with a great attacking full back, but generally I'd put him behind Tanner, Stacey and Fosu in the three positions he's likely to play.

(Agree that Clarke's unlikely to have a strict hierarchy, but he'll know his strongest team and he'll have a good idea who he wants on the bench)

[PistolPete]

So, what's the deal with Kuhl?

[sandman]

The deal with Kuhl is that certain people wish to appear itk when they aren't.

[SCIAG]

Think it's pretty well established that Zac's ITK when it comes to Kuhl. I've heard the same thing from a different source, I'm fairly sure other people will have heard it if I have, and it's completely consistent with a number of things coming out of the club.

Personally I don't feel comfortable talking about the soap opera details in this day and age. In short, Kuhl wants his career to progress, but Clarke isn't interested in playing him or sending him out on loan.

[RoyallyFcuked]

I thought he was going on loan to Mallorca for a season, is that not happening now?

Would be good for him IMO, needs to be loaned out for game time this season.

Tshibola is definitely infront of him at the moment.

[SCIAG]

I thought he was going on loan to Mallorca for a season, is that not happening now?

No, he's been back for a while. The club won't let him go. Shame, because it would have been a great chance to take in a different footballing culture and play in a Championship standard side.

[Reading4eva]

Letting Kuhl go will be more of a mistake than Antonio. Mark my words, I rate him. He's nippy, skilful and knows where players are on the pitch meaning he can read the game which evidentially become clear with Akpan that he couldn't.

He is 19 though and a loan to Mallorca would of been a great move for 3 months. I'd recommend sending him on loan to League One. Sheffield United anyone?

Regarding Blackman... He has something about him. He isn't your brilliant outstanding forward but he is a great backup to have. McDermott, Adkins and now Clarke can't all be wrong if he is completely shite can they

[Ian Royal]

Think it's pretty well established that Zac's ITK when it comes to Kuhl. I've heard the same thing from a different source, I'm fairly sure other people will have heard it if I have, and it's completely consistent with a number of things coming out of the club.

Personally I don't feel comfortable talking about the soap opera details in this day and age. In short, Kuhl wants his career to progress, but Clarke isn't interested in playing him or sending him out on loan.

I can understand Clarke wanting a different sort of midfielder and not playing him (don't really agree), but why on earth wouldn't he let him go out on loan if he's not going to play him? I'm not asking for rumours... I just can't think of a single reason.

[Ian Royal]

Letting Kuhl go will be more of a mistake than Antonio. Mark my words, I rate him. He's nippy, skilful and knows where players are on the pitch meaning he can read the game which evidentially become clear with Akpan that he couldn't.

He is 19 though and a loan to Mallorca would of been a great move for 3 months. I'd recommend sending him on loan to League One. Sheffield United anyone?

Regarding Blackman... He has something about him. He isn't your brilliant outstanding forward but he is a great backup to have. McDermott, Adkins and now Clarke can't all be wrong if he is completely shite can they

None of them played him consistently when there was another option, so I agree, they can't be wrong and they clearly don't rate him much.

[tidus_mi2]

His mother is called Sharon, that's oxf*rd hilarious.

Sharon and Aaron Kuhl.

[Nameless]

Think it's pretty well established that Zac's ITK when it comes to Kuhl. I've heard the same thing from a different source, I'm fairly sure other people will have heard it if I have, and it's completely consistent with a number of things coming out of the club.

Personally I don't feel comfortable talking about the soap opera details in this day and age. In short, Kuhl wants his career to progress, but Clarke isn't interested in playing him or sending him out on loan.

I can understand Clarke wanting a different sort of midfielder and not playing him (don't really agree), but why on earth wouldn't he let him go out on loan if he's not going to play him? I'm not asking for rumours... I just can't think of a single reason.

Seems odd to set it up then refuse to let it happen. But there must be a reason, perhaps Mallorca put conditions on it that we didn't like ? It would be a shame if Kuhl is not being given the chance to as he's clearly a talent.

[ZacNaloen]

An insight into the kind of people Reading were trying to make the deal happen with.

[Platypuss]

Must have been the "extravagant haircut" that did it.