Goalkeeping Situation

[yuomi]

can we get sal bibbo out of retirement and back in gloves? no?
i had the good fortune (and i say that totally in the absence of sarcasm) to see kitteridge play for basingstoke way back in november, he looked alright. i think feds is up to the challenge, provided he doesnt whore himself out to big clubs again over the summer and as long as he calms down a bit. as for hamer and anderson, i havent seen enough to judge but i dont think having four players vying for the jersey suggests we're in a pickle.

jamie ashdown wont come back.

[Turns8]

For those claiming Afed has no experience, how much experience did Marcus have when he first came to us? Does benchwarming at Fulham and a brief loan spell at Rochdale count as more experience than Afed!!!!

Give the lad a chance...as pointed out already...at least the ball will stay on the pitch when he kicks it!!!

[wolsey]

Looks like we have our number 1 and 2

http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-sport/west-london-brentford-fc/2009/05/19/hamer-set-for-new-reading-fc-deal-109642-23659376/

BEN HAMER is set to sign a new two-year contract at Reading – all but ruling out a loan move back to Brentford FC.

The 21-year-old keeper was almost an ever present as Andy Scott's side romped to the League Two title.

Hamer was stalling on putting pen to paper at the Madjeski after problems with his agent.

And despite the departure of Royals boss Steve Coppell last week, the Somerset-born shot-stopper is going to sign on the dotted line and challenge Adam Federici for the number one shirt following the exit of Marcus Hahnemann.

He said: "I've got things sorted with my agent now, so am going to sign a two-year deal with Reading.

"They want me to challenge next year. I've been told I'm going to be fighting for the number one spot, so I'd only probably go on loan if I was third choice.

"Fed is in front of me. He's played at a higher level, but I'm going to get my head down in pre-season and give it a go."

Good news - hopefully the sign of things to come.

Hopefully the HNA cogniscenti will recognise this and will give the likes of Kelly, Pearce, Harding, Karacan, Davies, Henry, Sigurdsson, Church, Nhunt (and any unknown signing(s) we may make) to develop before they get pissed off at our lack of Premiership status ...you can but hope

[Broxroyal]

I am very much hoping that Hamer does now see this as an opportunity and signs his new deal. I am happy to start the season with Federici and Hamer battling it out for the jersey, Andersen out on loan, and see where that takes us.

Looks like I might have got my wish re: Hamer

[Plymouth_Royal]

Looks like we have our number 1 and 2

http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-sport/west-london-brentford-fc/2009/05/19/hamer-set-for-new-reading-fc-deal-109642-23659376/

BEN HAMER is set to sign a new two-year contract at Reading – all but ruling out a loan move back to Brentford FC.

The 21-year-old keeper was almost an ever present as Andy Scott's side romped to the League Two title.

Hamer was stalling on putting pen to paper at the Madjeski after problems with his agent.

And despite the departure of Royals boss Steve Coppell last week, the Somerset-born shot-stopper is going to sign on the dotted line and challenge Adam Federici for the number one shirt following the exit of Marcus Hahnemann.

He said: "I've got things sorted with my agent now, so am going to sign a two-year deal with Reading.

"They want me to challenge next year. I've been told I'm going to be fighting for the number one spot, so I'd only probably go on loan if I was third choice.

"Fed is in front of me. He's played at a higher level, but I'm going to get my head down in pre-season and give it a go."

Good news - hopefully the sign of things to come.

Hopefully the HNA cogniscenti will recognise this and will give the likes of Kelly, Pearce, Harding, Karacan, Davies, Henry, Sigurdsson, Church, Nhunt (and any unknown signing(s) we may make) to develop before they get pissed off at our lack of Premiership status ...you can but hope

bit surprised you included n.hunt who is 26 and harding 25 in the development category. I dont agree they'll get pissed off and leave as none of them have played at that high a level. Plus, our youngsters havent even established themselves as a regular in the fist team yet. But I do think they'll have more of an opportunity though.

[wolsey]

Looks like we have our number 1 and 2

http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-sport/west-london-brentford-fc/2009/05/19/hamer-set-for-new-reading-fc-deal-109642-23659376/

BEN HAMER is set to sign a new two-year contract at Reading – all but ruling out a loan move back to Brentford FC.

The 21-year-old keeper was almost an ever present as Andy Scott's side romped to the League Two title.

Hamer was stalling on putting pen to paper at the Madjeski after problems with his agent.

And despite the departure of Royals boss Steve Coppell last week, the Somerset-born shot-stopper is going to sign on the dotted line and challenge Adam Federici for the number one shirt following the exit of Marcus Hahnemann.

He said: "I've got things sorted with my agent now, so am going to sign a two-year deal with Reading.

"They want me to challenge next year. I've been told I'm going to be fighting for the number one spot, so I'd only probably go on loan if I was third choice.

"Fed is in front of me. He's played at a higher level, but I'm going to get my head down in pre-season and give it a go."

Good news - hopefully the sign of things to come.

Hopefully the HNA cogniscenti will recognise this and will give the likes of Kelly, Pearce, Harding, Karacan, Davies, Henry, Sigurdsson, Church, Nhunt (and any unknown signing(s) we may make) to develop before they get pissed off at our lack of Premiership status ...you can but hope

bit surprised you included n.hunt who is 26 and harding 25 in the development category. I dont agree they'll get pissed off and leave as none of them have played at that high a level. Plus, our youngsters havent even established themselves as a regular in the fist team yet. But I do think they'll have more of an opportunity though.

I included Nhunt and Harding as low key signings rather than new to the Championship (although Harding has had his problems and the signing of NHunt was ridiculed a waste of money at the time - and it will be interesting to see how he copes without his brother next season if it happens)

[Hoop Blah]

For those claiming Afed has no experience, how much experience did Marcus have when he first came to us? Does benchwarming at Fulham and a brief loan spell at Rochdale count as more experience than Afed!!!!

Give the lad a chance...as pointed out already...at least the ball will stay on the pitch when he kicks it!!!

Happy to give Federici a chance. I've not really rated him from his previous games in the first team but he was much better for his generally untested stint in the side this year. I do worry that he isn't quite up to it.

As far as experience goes, Hahnemann had played about 140 'professional' league games and a few USA internationals plus a similar time in the UK as Federici.

In comparison Federici has played for about 15 times for us plus about 40 games in non-league football for the likes of Maidenhead, which, lets face it is glorified park stuff.

[Plymouth_Royal]

For those claiming Afed has no experience, how much experience did Marcus have when he first came to us? Does benchwarming at Fulham and a brief loan spell at Rochdale count as more experience than Afed!!!!

Give the lad a chance...as pointed out already...at least the ball will stay on the pitch when he kicks it!!!

Happy to give Federici a chance. I've not really rated him from his previous games in the first team but he was much better for his generally untested stint in the side this year. I do worry that he isn't quite up to it.

As far as experience goes, Hahnemann had played about 140 'professional' league games and a few USA internationals plus a similar time in the UK as Federici.

In comparison Federici has played for about 15 times for us plus about 40 games in non-league football for the likes of Maidenhead, which, lets face it is glorified park stuff.

hes played 27 professional games, 17 for us and 10 for southend

[silas]

Federici and Hamer competing for number 1 jersey next season, I would be happy with that.

[SteveRoyal]

Federici and Hamer competing for number 1 jersey next season, I would be happy with that.

'Greed.
About equal ability, so both will feel they can do it.
Also, check this.

[hellopremiership]

GRAHAM STACK!
With De La Cruz back in Defence.

[Jim Leighton]

Stick Nicky Hammond back in goal - anyone remember when he couldn't play cos he had chicken pox? Or Simon Shepherd? I know this is kinda off thread, but I liked Danny Honey!

[Stranded]

I've got a feeling that whoever comes in may go and buy a new first choice keeper.

[Blue and White Toucan]

I see that Hamer picked up the Puma Golden Gloves for best keeper in Div 2. 20 clean sheets in 45 games. Also picked the player of the year award at Crawley in previous years.

I would be happy to see him given a chance against Fed for the No 1 spot TBH.

And to pick up 2 player of the season awards in the last 3 years is impressive, although the step up to the Championship is quite big, he will only get the experiance if we give him the chance.

[loyalroyal4life]

Looks like we have our number 1 and 2

http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-sport/west-london-brentford-fc/2009/05/19/hamer-set-for-new-reading-fc-deal-109642-23659376/

BEN HAMER is set to sign a new two-year contract at Reading – all but ruling out a loan move back to Brentford FC.

The 21-year-old keeper was almost an ever present as Andy Scott's side romped to the League Two title.

Hamer was stalling on putting pen to paper at the Madjeski after problems with his agent.

And despite the departure of Royals boss Steve Coppell last week, the Somerset-born shot-stopper is going to sign on the dotted line and challenge Adam Federici for the number one shirt following the exit of Marcus Hahnemann.

He said: "I've got things sorted with my agent now, so am going to sign a two-year deal with Reading.

"They want me to challenge next year. I've been told I'm going to be fighting for the number one spot, so I'd only probably go on loan if I was third choice.

"Fed is in front of me. He's played at a higher level, but I'm going to get my head down in pre-season and give it a go."

Good news - hopefully the sign of things to come.

Hopefully the HNA cogniscenti will recognise this and will give the likes of Kelly, Pearce, Harding, Karacan, Davies, Henry, Sigurdsson, Church, Nhunt (and any unknown signing(s) we may make) to develop before they get pissed off at our lack of Premiership status ...you can but hope

Am i missing something but did harding not go back to Ipswich and get released? Has he signed on for us?

[Barry the bird boggler]

Harding is a free agent at this current point in time. Whether or not we sign him will be a decision for the new manager, assuming another club has not snapped him up by then.

[papereyes]

As far as experience goes, Hahnemann had played about 140 'professional' league games and a few USA internationals plus a similar time in the UK as Federici.

Hahnemann almost went to Villa in about 1999 but they signed Peter Enckelman ahead of him.

He'd had a pretty decent career and international experience in the US before he went to Fulham.

[rhroyal]

I'd love to hear what Brentford fans have to say about Hamer. As the the Fed experience thing, he's always been included in cup games. We was voted F.A. Cup player of the 5th round (granted I think voters overlooked the replay). He set the world on fire at Southend and got an extended run in the team this season where he was solid. If we can't trust him after that he'll never get any proper experience.

[UpNorth]

Brentford manager Andy Scott seems to have no doubts about Hamer and may have been offered Andersen on loan for next season - from the Bees forum -

Brentford FC target two keepers
May 22 2009 By Tim Street


BRENTFORD boss Andy Scott will bring in two new keepers this summer.

With Ben Hamer set to sign a new two-year deal at Reading and told to challenge for the first team, Scott holds no hope of bringing him back for a third loan spell at Griffin Park.

And with Seb Brown released, Simon Brown will be the only keeper on the books at Griffin Park if he signs a new contract.

Scott said: "Although it’s clear Simon would be my number two at the moment, there will be opportunities to play if he stays.

“But I want three keepers next season and I want to bring two in - a number one, and a young keeper who will also be challenging for that spot.

“I was pleased enough just to have got Ben back last season, and I fully expect him to challenge as number one at Reading this season, never mind number two."

Scott admitted his number one could be another loan signing, but may also be a permanent one.

And one possibility is Hamer’s Reading team-mate Mikkel Andersen (pictured), who played one game for Brentford last season as an emergency loan signing.

Scott added: "I have spoken to Reading about the situation there, and Mikkel Andersen was mentioned, but he’s just one of several keepers I’ve spoken to."

[Royal Rother]

Some Brentford supporters I know rate Hamer (& Bennett as a matter of fact) very highly.

I could see Hahnemann at Brentford next season myself.