The Strength of Our Squad

[AthleticoSpizz]

Squad still needs strengthening. We were up against poor opposition today, even if we played well. You have to remember that players such as De La Cruz played out of their skin, which may not always be the case. We desperately need a centre back in the absence of Sonks.

thought we had one in Bikey


however, you are probably right


DLC did not play out of his skin today, however................a few games on the bounce getting to know your team-mates etc, shows us, the ignorant, that the quality is always there

[Woodcote Royal]

Fair points, but you should keep in mind the quality (or rather the lack of it) of the opposition today.

Quite.

They are very good as occasional cover but week in week out against quality opposition? Not to mention that we now have no cover for our cover.

Time for a couple of astute signings in my book.

Again I would agree with that,

So, just about every squad members has now shown that he's good enough to play at this level so that means "it's time for a few astute signings" in the minds of some rather odd supporters of Reading FC

Believe it or not, at other clubs they've hit on this great idea of giving these players more chances to prove thet they are worth a place in their starting line up.

And, guess what? Some of these clubs have saved themselves a fortune in the transfer market whereas we haven't had one player come through our youth set up for 15 years to to become a first regular team...............if only we knew why................

PS. If we play our reserve team up at Birmingham it really will be time to sack the manager

I can't believe anyone would say our squad doesn't need additions with Kitson, Doyle and Sonko possibly out with fairly long term injuries.

We are very much at bare bones stage, the ones that have filled in have done very VERY well today. We do need additions though. Not saying Bikey is poor but that would have been the easiest game to come into at CB this season with the way the game was going and the standard of the Blades. If we are without Sonko long term, that has to be a slight worry.

Have you looked at the league table?

Anyone would think we had something to worry about..................our season is almost over!

Unless Kitson is out long term or someone too good to turn down comes along, we will not be signing a striker because we don't need one (and that's even if we actually needed to win more than 2 of our last 15 games to avoid relegation )

Coppell must be wondering how many different ways he can state his position on something so blindingly obvious.

DLC and Bikey have shown us that they can do a job in a number of positions and that still leaves Sodje who, no doubt, is looking for forward to the day when there's room for him on the bench

If Sonks is out long term, I'm sure we try to get another centre half but after watching todays performance the clamour for panic buying is simply beyond belief.

[RoyalBlue]

Fair points, but you should keep in mind the quality (or rather the lack of it) of the opposition today.

Quite.

They are very good as occasional cover but week in week out against quality opposition? Not to mention that we now have no cover for our cover.

Time for a couple of astute signings in my book.

Again I would agree with that,

So, just about every squad members has now shown that he's good enough to play at this level so that means "it's time for a few astute signings" in the minds of some rather odd supporters of Reading FC

Oh dear, difficulty in reading or just comprehension?

Haven't said there was anything wrong with our squad members but have you tried doing a headcount of the non-injured recently?

We have precious little cover left, given that our 'cover' are likely to become first team regulars for the next few weeks. Forget the Pravda stories about recovery times - Murty took longer than they predicted, Brynjar is still out - not surprising really given the nature of their injuries. And poor old Kitson appears to have developed a crush on Jon Fearn!

No one's suggesting the Colin approach - squad of 42 and 11 strikers but some insurance cover would be advisable.

[Royalee]

Squad still needs strengthening. We were up against poor opposition today, even if we played well. You have to remember that players such as De La Cruz played out of their skin, which may not always be the case. We desperately need a centre back in the absence of Sonks.

thought we had one in Bikey


however, you are probably right


DLC did not play out of his skin today, however................a few games on the bounce getting to know your team-mates etc, shows us, the ignorant, that the quality is always there

We do and I rate Bikey, but he's not quite ready yet and got caught out of position getting beaten to headers today, which were covered over by Ivar. However, against teams with better movement and more of a cutting edge, he will get found out. I'd definitely keep Bikey at the end of the season as I believe he can go the same way as Sonko, but I'd definitely go for a centre back now.

[Alan Partridge]

Fair points, but you should keep in mind the quality (or rather the lack of it) of the opposition today.

Quite.

They are very good as occasional cover but week in week out against quality opposition? Not to mention that we now have no cover for our cover.

Time for a couple of astute signings in my book.

Again I would agree with that,

So, just about every squad members has now shown that he's good enough to play at this level so that means "it's time for a few astute signings" in the minds of some rather odd supporters of Reading FC

Oh dear, difficulty in reading or just comprehension?

Haven't said there was anything wrong with our squad members but have you tried doing a headcount of the non-injured recently?

We have precious little cover left, given that our 'cover' are likely to become first team regulars for the next few weeks. Forget the Pravda stories about recovery times - Murty took longer than they predicted, Brynjar is still out - not surprising really given the nature of their injuries. And poor old Kitson appears to have developed a crush on Jon Fearn!

No one's suggesting the Colin approach - squad of 42 and 11 strikers but some insurance cover would be advisable.

Agreed. Dunno why it is Woodcote but you seem to make out that people are clamouring for panic deals at all costs, just said that the squad could do with strengthening. Pointing out the bleeding obvious really. I also stated the positions that I would like to see strengthened.

Yes i have looked at the table, it's fantastic, why not go for Europe? Is it THAT ridiculous to dream? We have played all of them and been thoroughly beaten TWICE that's it. (Pompey and Arsenal) With the home games left, why not? We may never get this opportunity again.

But WR, stop trying to make a drama out of everyone's posts, nothing further from the truth.

[Woodcote Royal]

Fair points, but you should keep in mind the quality (or rather the lack of it) of the opposition today.

Quite.

They are very good as occasional cover but week in week out against quality opposition? Not to mention that we now have no cover for our cover.

Time for a couple of astute signings in my book.

Again I would agree with that,

So, just about every squad members has now shown that he's good enough to play at this level so that means "it's time for a few astute signings" in the minds of some rather odd supporters of Reading FC

Oh dear, difficulty in reading or just comprehension?

Haven't said there was anything wrong with our squad members but have you tried doing a headcount of the non-injured recently?

Have you?

Kitson pulled a muscle today
Shorey was sick
Gunnarsson still out but should be back soon
Doyle 4 weeks
Sonko?

Newcastle would beg to swap places with us...............but hey, lets buy players we don't need and make sure Long spends the rest of the season in the Upper West (bring your guitar, Shane )

[Alan Partridge]

Fair points, but you should keep in mind the quality (or rather the lack of it) of the opposition today.

Quite.

They are very good as occasional cover but week in week out against quality opposition? Not to mention that we now have no cover for our cover.

Time for a couple of astute signings in my book.

Again I would agree with that,

So, just about every squad members has now shown that he's good enough to play at this level so that means "it's time for a few astute signings" in the minds of some rather odd supporters of Reading FC

Oh dear, difficulty in reading or just comprehension?

Haven't said there was anything wrong with our squad members but have you tried doing a headcount of the non-injured recently?

Have you?

Kitson pulled a muscle today
Shorey was sick
Gunnarsson still out but should be back soon
Doyle 4 weeks
Sonko?

Newcastle would beg to swap places with us...............but hey, lets buy players we don't need and make sure Long spends the rest of the season in the Upper West (bring your guitar, Shane )

She's myyyy brown eyed girl..........

[Royalee]

Fair points, but you should keep in mind the quality (or rather the lack of it) of the opposition today.

Quite.

They are very good as occasional cover but week in week out against quality opposition? Not to mention that we now have no cover for our cover.

Time for a couple of astute signings in my book.

Again I would agree with that,

So, just about every squad members has now shown that he's good enough to play at this level so that means "it's time for a few astute signings" in the minds of some rather odd supporters of Reading FC

Oh dear, difficulty in reading or just comprehension?

Haven't said there was anything wrong with our squad members but have you tried doing a headcount of the non-injured recently?

Have you?

Kitson pulled a muscle today
Shorey was sick
Gunnarsson still out but should be back soon
Doyle 4 weeks
Sonko?

Newcastle would beg to swap places with us...............but hey, lets buy players we don't need and make sure Long spends the rest of the season in the Upper West (bring your guitar, Shane )

I suggest you look at our status a couple of weeks ago with injuries and reflect on how quickly three of our best players have picked up mid to long-term injuries and then look at the possible consequences if the same were to happen again (or even to a lesser degree). We don't know how long Kitson is out for again, 4 weeks is the MINIMUM Doyle will be back in and it's essential that we don't rush him back and Sonko's injury looked very bad indeed.

What happens if Ingimarsson picks up an injury against Birmingham or Wigan? Would you feel confident with a back four of De La Cruz, Bikey and Sodje with Murts the only experienced first teamer?

[Bath Hoops]

Whilst I applaud the guys today for a good performance, I have to agree with alot of others that Sheffield were not a good side. Yes you can argue that we made them appear like that, but personally I think we came up against a weak premiership team. I still think we need to strengthen, anymore injuries and we will be really pushed. If Sonko is out and Ivar gets injured do you think we have enough cover and is that cover really going to be good enough ?

I realise we're very close to safety now and we're having a fantastic season, but we could do with a couple of players to push some of the first teamers and provide much needed cover. Hopefully before the end of January a couple of players can strengthen the team and maybe push us on.

[Upper West?!?]

Time to bring back a versatile squad player. Someone that can fill in for either full back, play on the wing, or as an attacking central midfielder.

Anyone keep Hughes mobile number?

[Royalee]

Time to bring back a versatile squad player. Someone that can fill in for either full back, play on the wing, or as an attacking central midfielder.

Anyone keep Hughes mobile number?

Why? Are you running a circus?

[Woodcote Royal]

Fair points, but you should keep in mind the quality (or rather the lack of it) of the opposition today.

Quite.

They are very good as occasional cover but week in week out against quality opposition? Not to mention that we now have no cover for our cover.

Time for a couple of astute signings in my book.

Again I would agree with that,

So, just about every squad members has now shown that he's good enough to play at this level so that means "it's time for a few astute signings" in the minds of some rather odd supporters of Reading FC

Oh dear, difficulty in reading or just comprehension?

Haven't said there was anything wrong with our squad members but have you tried doing a headcount of the non-injured recently?

We have precious little cover left, given that our 'cover' are likely to become first team regulars for the next few weeks. Forget the Pravda stories about recovery times - Murty took longer than they predicted, Brynjar is still out - not surprising really given the nature of their injuries. And poor old Kitson appears to have developed a crush on Jon Fearn!

No one's suggesting the Colin approach - squad of 42 and 11 strikers but some insurance cover would be advisable.

Agreed. Dunno why it is Woodcote but you seem to make out that people are clamouring for panic deals at all costs, just said that the squad could do with strengthening. Pointing out the bleeding obvious really. I also stated the positions that I would like to see strengthened.

Yes i have looked at the table, it's fantastic, why not go for Europe? Is it THAT ridiculous to dream? We have played all of them and been thoroughly beaten TWICE that's it. (Pompey and Arsenal) With the home games left, why not? We may never get this opportunity again.

But WR, stop trying to make a drama out of everyone's posts, nothing further from the truth.

After todays performance, calls for strenghening, other than a centre half if Sonks is out long term is, in my view, a case of fans panicing for no good reason.

With us being all but safe, this is a fantastic opportunity to see which of the fringe players should be retained for another season. Like Coppell, I want Long here and playing as much as possible, not sidelined because we've brought a striker we may not need.

The time to buy should now be in the summer when, hopefully, we have a better idea of what and who we really need and, with a bit of luck, asking prices will a little lower than they are now.

[Upper West?!?]

Yes - Just imaging the team with Hunt on the left wing and Hughes on the right. Now that would be a circus.

Now that we're in the Premiership, the club should be able to affort to issue helmets to the fans behind the goals so they would be protected from Hughes "crosses".

[Hemenbruff Royal]

So when the team for the cup game at Birmingham is announced and no doubt will include De La Cruz, Bikey, Long, etc can we stop reffering to them as the reserves/second team. These guys are now all proven first team players.

We have a squad of first team players, its just that due to the crazy rule of only allowing eleven players on the pitch at one time for our team not all of them get to play every week. When they do, like De La Cruz today, they prove their ability therefore they are not a second team player.[/

[zac naloen]

So when the team for the cup game at Birmingham is announced and no doubt will include De La Cruz, Bikey, Long, etc can we stop reffering to them as the reserves/second team. These guys are now all proven first team players.

We have a squad of first team players, its just that due to the crazy rule of only allowing eleven players on the pitch at one time for our team not all of them get to play every week. When they do, like De La Cruz today, they prove their ability therefore they are not a second team player.[/

Technically they aren't first choice first team players, so they are still viable to be referred to as "second teamers"

[Royalee]

So when the team for the cup game at Birmingham is announced and no doubt will include De La Cruz, Bikey, Long, etc can we stop reffering to them as the reserves/second team. These guys are now all proven first team players.

We have a squad of first team players, its just that due to the crazy rule of only allowing eleven players on the pitch at one time for our team not all of them get to play every week. When they do, like De La Cruz today, they prove their ability therefore they are not a second team player.[/

As pleased as I am with all of them after today, one game does not prove a player.

[Peter Kay - Top of the To]

I dont see a need for panic purchases, and I agree with Woodcote.

Just wanted to say that whilst SC gets a lot of praise for the development of DLC and Bikey into quality players, its appropriate to also praise Wally Downes. If you think of the development of Sonko, Ingimarson and Gunnarson, (not to mention Murts and Shorey) Wally has been an outstanding defensive coach.

[Royalee]

Agree regarding Downes and also agree with the sentiment regarding panic buys. However, I don't believe that paying a couple of hundred grand extra for a highly regarded centre back when it would appear that we could be struggling in that area for a while (to be honest, it could be the end of the season after watching it back tonight) would be such a bad thing - especially when the difference between survival and being sucked into relegation is about £35 million.

[Woodcote Royal]

Last season, 3rd from bottom finished on..........wait for it...............34pts

With 15 games left we have..................wait for it...................34pts

So, just to be sure, because we wouldn't want to get sucked into a relegation battle and risk losing £35m, we need to strengthen, just incase..............not that anyones panicking.....................good thinking.

[AthleticoSpizz]

no Doyle

no Sonko for lots of the game

No Shorey


3-1

................do we really need to sign anybody?


our second string are good enough to humiliate many a £100k a week player