SIGNED - Hope Akpan

[SouthDownsRoyal]

WELCOME TO THE CLUB AKPAN!!!!!

[No Fixed Abode]

Looks set to start tomorrow.

[SPARTA]

Crawley fans opinion on Hope Akpan:

1) Were you shocked that Hope made the move this window, or did you half expect it?

Cant say I was surprised in the slightest, we knew he only had 6 months left on his contract and quite honestly he was far too good for League 1. I expected a few bids for him, and also I hoped to sell him this window as Id rather see him leave for a fee rather than next to nothing.

2) What are his strengths?

He is tireless, and will put 110% in to every performance on the pitch. He knows how to make a challenge, and is a special player in the fact that he chooses at what temp a match will be played at. Hope can also provide a fantastic range of passes, and knows where the back of the net is.

3) What are his weaknesses?

Probably the fact he gives 110% every match, sometimes he tries too hard and you can see when the game is not going his way he gets extremely frustrated. Akpan is a great tackler but at the same time he can make some horrendous challenges, I wouldn't call them malicious, more mistimed or naive.

4) From what I have been reading, his disciplinary record isn't the best, does he have an attitude on and possibly off the pitch?

Don't read in to it any more! As I mentioned previously, yes he does make some poor challenges, but I think this is down to his age and the position he plays, lets call it inexperience. Hope is a player who plays with his heart on his sleeve, and he will commit to the cause, sometimes this boils over to a crunching challenge, Id rather that than a midfielder who is scared to put a foot in. He was sent off against Portsmouth this season, but quite honestly it was a shocking decision, I don't know many Crawley or Pompey fans who will say it was a red card.

Off the pitch I would say he is generally a model professional, I live local to most the Crawley players and have seen many on a night out, however, I have never seen Akpan. He did have one incident off the pitch, when he was charged and fined by The FA for a homophobic tweet. Hope did claim innocence, stating it was a younger family member who got on to his twitter account, we will never know.

5) Akpan is at the tender age of 21, do you think he has the potential to play in the Premier League now or probably in a few years time?

He is good enough for the Premier League now. Reading of course face a fight to stay in the Premier League and with signing Hope I think you have increased your chances in staying up. He will not be scared to go toe to toe with some of the world's best midfielders, and he certainly wont be scared to let them know he is there. I reckon between now and the end of the season Hope will pick up 3 yellows and one red, but he is also going to score 2 league goals.

In years to come, with the greatest of respect to Reading FC and the fans I think Hope will move on to an even bigger club, he started at Everton and I can see him returning and becoming a first team player. You have signed a truly special youngster, and just for the fact that you have signed him, I have adopted Reading FC as my Premier League club. COME ON YOU ROYALS!

[Millsy]

Thanks Sparta. Really good and inspiring read.

I can't wait to see him in action.

[ManchesterRoyals]

Thanks Sparta. Really good and inspiring read.

I can't wait to see him in action.

Sounds promising thought he would have got a run out in the second half as we were woeful up to the 80min

[Royal Rother]

Looks like a player!

[ZacNaloen]

Looked very capable.

[SLAMMED]

Excellent lay off for the 2nd goal. You can't teach that.

[TBM]

The way he found Alf for the 2nd goal was a touch of class

[Ian Royal]

The way he found Alf for the 2nd goal was a touch of class

He really did fool the entire Newcastle defence with that fake swing. How he managed to get his pass so delicate after that I don't know. #betterthanmessi

[moo]

The way he found Alf for the 2nd goal was a touch of class

[Norfolk Royal]

Ironic that a bit of lower league stylee won us the game.

[UpNorth]

The way he found Alf for the 2nd goal was a touch of class

[Rex]

Ironic that a bit of lower league stylee won us the game.

We confuse the fcuk out of us- every other team gets their tactical notes out and scratch their heads.

[pea]

Best assist I've seen from a Reading player

[Lovely hot donuts!]

I believe somewhere on this thread I express some displeasure with bringing Hope Akpan to the club. I would like to withdraw the general angry and stubborn tone of those comments. I don't totally withdraw my scepticism yet but he has, already, been better than I expected.

In Brian we trust.

[LightwaterRoyal]

I dont know where all this praise is coming from, ok he got an assist (a lucky one) but didnt do much else and gave the ball away a lot. I wasnt paying much notice towards the end so might have missed something.

[Mr.T10]

I dont know where all this praise is coming from, ok he got an assist (a lucky one) but didnt do much else and gave the ball away a lot. I wasnt paying much notice towards the end so might have missed something.

I think we are happy he didn't oxf*rd anything up. Did alright, can't really judge him on today. Maybe he will start against Sheffield Utd, would be a good option to do this. IMO

[2.8 lita injection]

i have a feeling he maybe cup tied

[MouldyRoyal]