Rumour - free agents

[TiagoIlori]

Pauno has ruled out signing free agents for now.

[morganb]

Some direct quotes here - it is as much about the dressing room dynamic as the quality on the pitch:

https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/foot ... s-19139230

The boss said nothing was imminent in terms of bringing in a free agent and any addition must not just have the quality but also the right character to fit in to the tight-knit squad.

"A lot of guys want to come and that’s obvious now, but at this point we are happy with the team we have," he said.
"And we are careful if there is anyone we like we are careful what kind of person and competitor is going to come into the locker room."

[From Despair To Where?]

That's good to hear. Exactly what Coppell used to say, that being the right personality fit is as important as what you can do on the pitch.

[WoodleyRoyal]

this is how Liverpool operates too, isn't it? I'm sure they do character profiling on players before they sign them

[Snowflake Royal]

Very happy with the squad as it is.

[Hound]

I don't think he is exactly ruling it out, but definitely emphasis on the person having to be the correct fit. But yes agreed, no need to bring anyone else in really

[URZZZZ]

I don't think he is exactly ruling it out, but definitely emphasis on the person having to be the correct fit. But yes agreed, no need to bring anyone else in really

Still think we should be looking for an out and out winger, even as a plan B on the bench. Think our bench, whilst working well yesterday, is quite like for like

That being said, would need to be someone who can bring something to the table. In other words, sign someone so they can contribute and not just because they’re a winger. Don’t want to end up with wasters like Popa again or to a lesser extent Harriott

[Hound]

Actually a fit Harriott like when he first came would actually be ideal. Obvs the one with a knackered hammy less so.

And yes obviously avoid anything like Popa like the plague

[Zip]

Pleased we only signed five players of which four have already played. We finally don’t have a bloated squad.

[Snowflake Royal]

Apart from the fact he covers LB, Holmes is making Gibson look a bit of a pointless signing.

[Notts Royal]

Pleased we only signed five players of which four have already played. We finally don’t have a bloated squad.

Amen to that! A trimmer squad has been required for the last 5 or so seasons

[NewCorkSeth]

Apart from the fact he covers LB, Holmes is making Gibson look a bit of a pointless signing.

Who could have predicted that?

[Hound]

Apart from the fact he covers LB, Holmes is making Gibson look a bit of a pointless signing.

Who could have predicted that?

I'm predicting he'll end up playing a fair bit and being a decent signing

[Stranded]

Apart from the fact he covers LB, Holmes is making Gibson look a bit of a pointless signing.

Surely it is more that Richards has gone from being a question mark to possibly the first name on the team sheet. His presence as competition may well see some of the players already here upping their game as a result.

Gibson will get his chance soon enough and he'll have to take it but if not, he'll head back to Everton in Jan and we'll look at something else.

[Snowflake Royal]

Reckon Holmes has showed enough to say he could cover LB, and McIntyre probably could too.

[NewCorkSeth]

Reckon Holmes has showed enough to say he could cover LB, and McIntyre probably could too.

McIntyre plays where he wants.

[Stranded]

Reckon Holmes has showed enough to say he could cover LB, and McIntyre probably could too.

Yeah possible, Paunovic seems to have half an eye on turning McIntyre into a defensive midfielder, which could be an interesting move.

[Hound]

definitely not Holmes LB. That would be horrible. Gibson's time will come I'm sure

[John Smith]

I'm very disappointed we haven't signed Daniel Sturridge. Even to offer him a pay as you play contract would have been the least we could have done.

[Nameless]

Reckon Holmes has showed enough to say he could cover LB, and McIntyre probably could too.

Yeah possible, Paunovic seems to have half an eye on turning McIntyre into a defensive midfielder, which could be an interesting move.

DoubtHolmes would be sensible at left back but McIntyre has played there.
Holmes played in midfield in the younger age groups and McIntyre could easily step forward into a shielding midfielder role.