The thoughts of Kevin Dillon

[Row Z Royal]

...from 12 minutes of discussion at the Study Centre event last night.

RFC are looking for a centre half because it seems that Sonko may not be ready for the start of next season. I realise this isn't particularly new and it could mean that they are trying to keep hold of Bikey.

Dills hopes that Sidwell will stay but the club are chasing a central midfielder. Again, nothing new, but the suggestion was that the Arsenal reserves/fringes/youth team are being looked at closely. Equally, the international scouting network was being talked up, but this comment narrows down the RFC parameters in a way we're not used to.

I didn't realise this, but following the Downes slapping Colin incident, it turns that another member of the RFC staff is up in front of the FA on Thursday for charging down from the West stand to join the melée. Eamon Dolan was suggested by one of the guest, but Dills would neither confirm or deny who it was.

Nothing particularly exciting, but it means that my made up Curtis Davis and Mathieu Flamini rumours aren't complete tripe.

[Y21_Royal]

You can't try and take credit for made up rumours that might turn out to happen. If they do then its complete fluke on your part, lets not make out that you have any insight!

[Dirk Gently]

I didn't realise this, but following the Downes slapping Colin incident, it turns that another member of the RFC staff is up in front of the FA on Thursday for charging down from the West stand to join the melée. Eamon Dolan was suggested by one of the guest, but Dills would neither confirm or deny who it was.

From the FA website :

Wally Downes, Coach, Reading FC
Reading FC v Sheffield United FC
FA Premier League, 20 January 2007

Charge: FA Rule E3 – improper conduct

Downes admitted the charge on 7 February and requested a personal hearing

Eamonn Dolan, Academy Manager, Reading FC
Reading FC v Sheffield United FC
FA Premier League, 20 January 2007

Charge: FA Rule E3 – improper conduct

Dolan denied the charge on 20 February and requested a personal hearing

[Huntley & Palmer]

Perhaps the Guinness is better in the Lower West>

[Barry the bird boggler]

RFC are looking for a centre half because it seems that Sonko may not be ready for the start of next season. I realise this isn't particularly new and it could mean that they are trying to keep hold of Bikey.

SC said at the Forum on Moday to expect chages in the Centre Half department with comings and goings. Reading definitely want to do a permanent deal with Bikey and are currently negotiating with Lokomotiv Moscow.

Dills hopes that Sidwell will stay but the club are chasing a central midfielder. Again, nothing new, but the suggestion was that the Arsenal reserves/fringes/youth team are being looked at closely. Equally, the international scouting network was being talked up, but this comment narrows down the RFC parameters in a way we're not used to.

SC said at the Forum that the club were looking to narrow their summer targets down in the next 3/4 weeks and then look to move as quickly as possible and a central midfielder will be among them. Nigel Howe wants deals struck quickly as this will aid the various budgets for next season but that is of course difficult as players like to take their time and see what offers are made in the early close season.

As regards international scouting Brian McDermott has recently returned from Germany and SC has said that Reading will continue to look abroad (this will not be at the detriment of the British market) as players wages and fees are not quite at the English expectations.

Nothing particularly exciting, but it means that my made up Curtis Davis and Mathieu Flamini rumours aren't complete tripe.

I believe that Curtis Davis is set to move to Spurs in the summer (& Reo-Coker has been mentioned as well for a move there).

[West Stand Man]

Peter Mate and his girlfriend were in the UW last weekend. Don't discount the possibility that he is still in the medium to longer term plan. If he was not then why have we kept him on during his injury?

[zac naloen]

Peter Mate and his girlfriend were in the UW last weekend. Don't discount the possibility that he is still in the medium to longer term plan. If he was not then why have we kept him on during his injury?

Peter Maté must be a player they saw a lot of potential in.

He showed a lot of desire to play here by staying on after the injury and I'm guessing that gained him some respect at the club. In essence, they want to give him the chance he deserves.

[Turns8]

Muamba from Arsenal is probably more realistic than Flamini who I think will end up going to a spanish or italian club...

Mate is another example of rough diamond polishing...the potential is there but the injury has put him back a year..the club are probably helping with the re-hab as we have quite a bit of experience with knee injuries...Bobby, Sonks, and kits, so the re-hab for Mate would have been at the same time as the other guys..also meant the club could keep a close eye on him...

Transfers are likely to happen early isn't that what Coppell said, so expect a few targets to be sorted in the next few weeks

[Hoop Blah]

Peter Mate and his girlfriend were in the UW last weekend. Don't discount the possibility that he is still in the medium to longer term plan. If he was not then why have we kept him on during his injury?

Possibly a contractual obligation.

[Dirk Gently]

SC also said at the forum that it was only fair and decent to give Peter Mate a chance to prove himself (or otherwise) here when he's fully fit.

Also that during his injury layoff he's had a chance to learn English which will help.

So expect at least another season here out of him.

[zac naloen]

Peter Mate and his girlfriend were in the UW last weekend. Don't discount the possibility that he is still in the medium to longer term plan. If he was not then why have we kept him on during his injury?

Possibly a contractual obligation.

I'm pretty sure I've read that it was a decision he made to stay here and get involved in things. He could have gone home, much like Convey has done during his injury, during the recuperation period.

[brendywendy]

Peter Mate and his girlfriend were in the UW last weekend. Don't discount the possibility that he is still in the medium to longer term plan. If he was not then why have we kept him on during his injury?

saw them outside th eground,

she seemed to be a stunner

[rg6royal]

hope that he does stay at the club because i think he will be a good player and the other thing is, is that he is still young.

[ScottishRoyal]

Peter Mate and his girlfriend were in the UW last weekend. Don't discount the possibility that he is still in the medium to longer term plan. If he was not then why have we kept him on during his injury?

Peter Maté must be a player they saw a lot of potential in.

He showed a lot of desire to play here by staying on after the injury and I'm guessing that gained him some respect at the club. In essence, they want to give him the chance he deserves.

I've never seen him play but I seem to recall those that had seeing him as a better prospect than Bikey at the time.

As far as him staying in England this season goes, as he was only on loan I think we would have been well within our rights to let him go once he was injured and avoid paying his wages.

[Dirk Gently]

As far as him staying in England this season goes, as he was only on loan I think we would have been well within our rights to let him go once he was injured and avoid paying his wages.

But that's not the "Reading way".

[Stranded]

As far as him staying in England this season goes, as he was only on loan I think we would have been well within our rights to let him go once he was injured and avoid paying his wages.

But that's not the "Reading way".

Plus I believe year long loans are pretty much considered to be permanent transfers for the length of the loan so there would have been no option to send him back to his club - we would still have to pay his wages.

[RoyalBlue]

...from 12 minutes of discussion at the Study Centre event last night.

RFC are looking for a centre half because it seems that Sonko may not be ready for the start of next season. I realise this isn't particularly new and it could mean that they are trying to keep hold of Bikey.

My wife said she heard an interview with Sonko where he held up his hands and said that Jon Fearn was very concerned when he first went down injured and had advised him not to continue. Apparently Superman being a super hero insisted that he was OK to continue and now fears that his human failing may cost his career dear.

In future, hopefully the educated medics and management will stand firm and insist a player comes off, if their view is that the injury might be worsened by staying on. Failing that, Sonko must join Kitson on the list of players that they ignore when they claim to be fit to play!

[Hoop Blah]

hope that he does stay at the club because i think he will be a good player and the other thing is, is that he is still young.

Out of interest, can I ask why you think he'll be a good player?

[skipper]

Mate is another example of rough diamond polishing...the potential is there but

Why do we keep saying this?!

We never saw him play! He got crocked before a league / cup game!

[Row Z Royal]

Mate is another example of rough diamond polishing...the potential is there but

Why do we keep saying this?!

We never saw him play! He got crocked before a league / cup game!

Except, of course, the league cup game he got crocked in.