Madejski - 'Signings not vital'

[rotherwick_royal]

Interesting comments by JM:

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hli ... +not+vital

John Madejski insists Reading's objective is to secure their place in the Premiership.

Since gaining promotion to the top flight for the first time, Reading have enjoyed a fantastic season and sit just two points off a UEFA Champions League place.

But chairman Madejski is not dreaming of European football, instead preferring to focus on surviving in the division.

"We've still got to win five more games, which is five more games to win," Madejski told Sky Sports News.

"Our objective is to stay in the Premiership next season and I don't think that view has changed."

With the January transfer window looming, Madejski admits manager Steve Coppell would be allowed to add to his squad if necessary.

But with the players having performed so well in the opening half of the season, the Reading supremo questions whether there is a need for new signings.

He added: "Again I should imagine there possibly might be (signings) to make sure the team has got a bit more depth.

"At the same time, we are doing so well at the moment that one hardly appreciates why we should strengthen in January.

"I'm sure we will, but it is not exactly vital as we speak."

[TFF]

Cards. Chest. Close to.

Situation normal.

[rotherwick_royal]

...or expectation management.

I don't expect to see many (any?) major new signings in Jan.

I don't expect to see anyone leaving either!

[Wycombe Royal]

...or expectation management.

Exactly. As the previous poster said "situation normal".

[Stranded]

I expect to us to make some signings but also don't expect us to sign any big names who will walk into the side.

So situation normal.

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

Coppell's never going to make big chances with things going so well, it's not the way he does things and keeping things pretty much the same seems to have worked ok so far.

I reckon a young right back to cover for Murty and maybe a keeper, but not much else....

[Tilehurst Mike]

I expect to us to make some signings but also don't expect us to sign any big names who will walk into the side.

So situation normal.

Also don't forget the recent contract extensions to Sonko, Murty etc Etc is a major coup for the club. All we need is Sidwell to sign a new contract and completes the set, so well done Nicky Hammond if that happens.
I don't expect much change from the games at Chelsea and United, so as we enter the New Year a couple of new faces may just be what the club wants to bolster the squad. I see no change from past club policy when if the right player becomes available and at the right price, Madjeski will provide the funds to clinch the deal.

[G'La]

Coppell's never going to make big chances with things going so well, it's not the way he does things and keeping things pretty much the same seems to have worked ok so far.

I reckon a young right back to cover for Murty and maybe a keeper, but not much else....

I agree with you although we do desperately need another striker! We cant rely on Doyle to bag goals for the whole season. Look at the season we were flying high in the championship, Kitson bagging countless goals until he picked up an injury on Boxing day (I think… against Watford?). It was down hill all the way. Lita’s a lazy sh*te with a crap final touch, Longs too inexperienced for the moment and Kitson doesn’t look as if hes gonna be match fit until the end of the season. Striker is number 1 priority!

[brendywendy]

need a creative midfielder too

[Hoop Blah]

...or expectation management.

I don't expect to see many (any?) major new signings in Jan.

I don't expect to see anyone leaving either!

I hope we do see a few leaving, Halls and De la Cruz would be nice!

[weybridgewanderer]

Coppell's never going to make big chances with things going so well, it's not the way he does things and keeping things pretty much the same seems to have worked ok so far.

I reckon a young right back to cover for Murty and maybe a keeper, but not much else....

I agree with you although we do desperately need another striker! We cant rely on Doyle to bag goals for the whole season. Look at the season we were flying high in the championship, Kitson bagging countless goals until he picked up an injury on Boxing day (I think… against Watford?). It was down hill all the way. Lita’s a lazy sh*te with a crap final touch, Longs too inexperienced for the moment and Kitson doesn’t look as if hes gonna be match fit until the end of the season. Striker is number 1 priority!

we keep playing either a centre half or defensive midfield player at right back when murty is injured

we have soel, long and lita to cover for kiston

I suggest a back up full back is a priority over a striker

I also think a more creative midfield player is a higher priority than a new striker. If teams stop us playing wide we have no options through the middle, back up for our current preferred partnership is too defensive

[Royalee]

We're crying out for another striker at the moment and I reckon Coppell's got his eye on one.

[Hoop Blah]

we keep playing either a centre half or defensive midfield player at right back when murty is injured

I was hoping that if we secure safety pretty quickly Coppell might try to blood Osano at some point to see if he can cut it. He can't do any worse than De la Cruz or Halls and Bikey is not the answer either.

we have soel, long and lita to cover for kiston

I suggest a back up full back is a priority over a striker

A striker is going to be the higher profile signing and is going to win us more points than a fullback, so although both are signings we need I'd hope they're pulling out the stops to get a forward if anything.

I also think a more creative midfield player is a higher priority than a new striker. If teams stop us playing wide we have no options through the middle, back up for our current preferred partnership is too defensive

Don't get your hopes up. The January window isn't a busy time and I doubt there will be too many comings and goings anywhere.

[G'La]

we have soel, long and lita to cover for kiston

And what would happen if Doyle became injured. Seol has been effective when played up front, Lita just isnt working hard enough IMO.

A right back wouldnt be as vital an addition to the team as a striker would be.

[cheeryoleary]

"I'm sure we will, but it is not exactly vital as we speak.[/b]"

I read this as "We will sign new players however we aint gonna get our pants pulled down over transfer fees and wages. You want to play for Reading? Tell me why you're good enough?"

[glass half full]

If (when!) we are safe, we might do no worse than try to 'bed-in' a few of our very promising academy players.

[Cemy Junction Expat]

"We've still got to win five more games, which is five more games to win," Madejski told Sky Sports News.

Who could maintain after this that the great man knows nothing about football !

[floyd__streete]

Reading's January signings unveiled:

[Woodcote Royal]

Cards. Chest. Close to.

Situation normal.

Spot on.

I think we should all be wise to JM's protestations by now.

I don't believe for one minute that there are not substantial funds available to Steve Coppell but, as the transfer window approaches, yet again we have the kind of talk that suggests to players and their agents that RFC is not a cash machine for them to raid at will.

And, whilst I'm sure JM will eventually sell the club to the kind of people who can be trusted to build on his fantastic achievements, I see all the not so subtle "setting out my stall" as being part of the same "lowering of expectations"

With everyone other than Sidwell of substantial value tied to long term contracts, a squad performing light years beyond expectations and mega bucks almost certain to swell the coffers next season, I would strongly suggest that Steve Coppell will be free to sign most of those he would like in January.

I'm expecting a couple of excellent young players to come in and remain confident that the likes of Doyle, Sonko and Shorey will not be the last Premiership players that we sign for shirt buttons.

I trust we will be hearing somewhat less of that infamous prerequisite "Premiership Experience" than we did back in the summer

[jimmyboy (whufc)]

Strengthen if you can now and hope that Coppell doesn't go down the route of only signing squad players in the summer like Pardew did because next season will be tough as teams will know how to play you.