New signings

[winchester_royal]

Deal is in place for Brian Howard. I would expect confirmation shortly.

Harper going the other way?

I have to bite my lip on this. Seems I've annoyed some people with the Howard rumour. There is interest in Harper, um, sorry.

So you're saying he could go, but you're not allowed to say anything else?

[(.)Boobies(.)]

I'm saying only what I've said already and no more - There has been interest in taking Harper.

[IMAMATEOFJOVSKY]

According to a poster on the BBC site - "The deadline for most European countries passed yesterday and so they can no longer bring players in. However, the deadline was extended for the UK due to the Bank Holiday. As a result, UK clubs are allowed to bring players IN from abroad, but no players from the UK will be going OUT to European clubs."

I wonder if that extends to loans?

In the Championship it certainly does.

And Howard was very impressive during Barnsley's run to the Semi-Finals of the cup. I remember he scored a great goal against Liverpool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynRKgvt37Vc

Definitely worth giving him a shot. Creative and much more suited to the English game then your mate Marek.

He's no better than what we have...and its no good talking about what he was like then (remember he was an average player in a pretty shite team that had a freak cup run) - but its what he's like now, and obviously not even good enough for Blades first XI ...this is the frustration, unless there is a deal in the pipeline, we've spent £800k during the summer period, and Bugs will be playing with his c*ck thinking - good job done! Lets not get above ourselves, we beat the team, bottom of the league, on Saturday - no more than that!

[winchester_royal]

He's no better than what we have...and its no good talking about what he was like then (remember he was an average player in a pretty shite team that had a freak cup run) - but its what he's like now, and obviously not even good enough for Blades first XI ...this is the frustration, unless there is a deal in the pipeline, we've spent £800k during the summer period, and Bugs will be playing with his c*ck thinking - good job done! Lets not get above ourselves, we beat the team, bottom of the league, on Saturday - no more than that!

The main reason he has disappointed at Sheff Utd is that he doesn't fit their style of play. He's a decent player when the ball is played through midfield. Good signing if it happens IMO.

[Gus the teenage cow]

brenda side we were getting in 3 or 4 after rasiak and mcanuff

ok so o dea is on and howard is on his way (no fees for both, surprise, surprise)

i want at least one decent permanent signing and ideally two

two from these three and I'll be satisfied:

stock, campbell-ryce, king

[tomrfcurz]

brenda side we were getting in 3 or 4 after rasiak and mcanuff

ok so o dea is on and howard is on his way (no fees for both, surprise, surprise)

i want at least one decent permanent signing and ideally two

two from these three and I'll be satisfied:

stock, campbell-ryce, king

He said 2 or 3 not 3 or 4 which means it could well be the case O'Dea and Howard are the only 2

[TFF]

brenda side we were getting in 3 or 4 after rasiak and mcanuff

ok so o dea is on and howard is on his way (no fees for both, surprise, surprise)

i want at least one decent permanent signing and ideally two

two from these three and I'll be satisfied:

stock, campbell-ryce, king

You'll get none of them.

[Ian Royal]

Loan signings can have fees attached.

[W&E Royal]

brenda side we were getting in 3 or 4 after rasiak and mcanuff

ok so o dea is on and howard is on his way (no fees for both, surprise, surprise)

i want at least one decent permanent signing and ideally two

two from these three and I'll be satisfied:

stock, campbell-ryce, king

Since when do you decide which players we sign or don't sign?

[Hogmeister Royal]

lets hope the Howard deal goes through otherwise we look a little lightweight in midfield.

Whilst we may disagree about the quality of central midfield, we are certainly not short of quantity. For just three starting places (assuming 4-5-1) I make it that we currently have nine players (choose your own preferred order)... Harps, Marek, McAnuff, Tabb, Bryn, Karacan, Davies, Gylfi and Cisse. So an on any given day you'd expect (with Howard as well) 7 of those to either be on the bench or not involved at all(albeit some of those names can and do play in other positions, of course).

So I don't think we're lightweight there and, in fact, central midfield is the primary position where we could easily let a couple go.

[IMAMATEOFJOVSKY]

He's no better than what we have...and its no good talking about what he was like then (remember he was an average player in a pretty shite team that had a freak cup run) - but its what he's like now, and obviously not even good enough for Blades first XI ...this is the frustration, unless there is a deal in the pipeline, we've spent £800k during the summer period, and Bugs will be playing with his c*ck thinking - good job done! Lets not get above ourselves, we beat the team, bottom of the league, on Saturday - no more than that!

The main reason he has disappointed at Sheff Utd is that he doesn't fit their style of play. He's a decent player when the ball is played through midfield. Good signing if it happens IMO.

If Reading were prepared to push the boat out a bit - Stock is a far better prospect for the club..so I guess it will be Howard!

[Gus the teenage cow]

brenda said we were getting in 3 or 4 after rasiak and mcanuff

ok so o dea is on and howard is on his way (no fees for both, surprise, surprise)

i want at least one decent permanent signing and ideally two

two from these three and I'll be satisfied:

stock, campbell-ryce, king

Since when do you decide which players we sign or don't sign?

[Ian Royal]

lets hope the Howard deal goes through otherwise we look a little lightweight in midfield.

Whilst we may disagree about the quality of central midfield, we are certainly not short of quantity. For just three starting places (assuming 4-5-1) I make it that we currently have nine players (choose your own preferred order)... Harps, Marek, McAnuff, Tabb, Bryn, Karacan, Davies, Gylfi and Cisse. So an on any given day you'd expect 7 of those to either be on the bench or not involved at all(albeit some of those names can and do play in other positions, of course).

So I don't think we're lightweight there and, in fact, central midfield is the primary position where we could easily let a couple go.

You should be counting Henry as well. Played centrally in both cup games if I'm not mistaken.

[winchester_royal]

He's no better than what we have...and its no good talking about what he was like then (remember he was an average player in a pretty shite team that had a freak cup run) - but its what he's like now, and obviously not even good enough for Blades first XI ...this is the frustration, unless there is a deal in the pipeline, we've spent £800k during the summer period, and Bugs will be playing with his c*ck thinking - good job done! Lets not get above ourselves, we beat the team, bottom of the league, on Saturday - no more than that!

The main reason he has disappointed at Sheff Utd is that he doesn't fit their style of play. He's a decent player when the ball is played through midfield. Good signing if it happens IMO.

If Reading were prepared to push the boat out a bit - Stock is a far better prospect for the club..so I guess it will be Howard!

How the oxf*rd would you know.

I trust Brendan far more than you on who this club needs.

[Royal Rother]

lets hope the Howard deal goes through otherwise we look a little lightweight in midfield.

Whilst we may disagree about the quality of central midfield, we are certainly not short of quantity. For just three starting places (assuming 4-5-1) I make it that we currently have nine players (choose your own preferred order)... Harps, Marek, McAnuff, Tabb, Bryn, Karacan, Davies, Gylfi and Cisse. So an on any given day you'd expect 7 of those to either be on the bench or not involved at all(albeit some of those names can and do play in other positions, of course).

So I don't think we're lightweight there and, in fact, central midfield is the primary position where we could easily let a couple go.

I tend to agree, Howard doesn't seem very necessary. Certainly can't see it happening if Harper and Marek stay on our books. What'd be the point?

[Hogmeister Royal]

lets hope the Howard deal goes through otherwise we look a little lightweight in midfield.

Whilst we may disagree about the quality of central midfield, we are certainly not short of quantity. For just three starting places (assuming 4-5-1) I make it that we currently have nine players (choose your own preferred order)... Harps, Marek, McAnuff, Tabb, Bryn, Karacan, Davies, Gylfi and Cisse. So an on any given day you'd expect 7 of those to either be on the bench or not involved at all(albeit some of those names can and do play in other positions, of course).

So I don't think we're lightweight there and, in fact, central midfield is the primary position where we could easily let a couple go.

You should be counting Henry as well. Played centrally in both cup games if I'm not mistaken.

Yes, point taken - and I seem to remember that even Mooney was played in midfield pre-season (!). Point being that it's the one part of the field where we're not light.

[phil in cornwall]

I personally cannot stand Brian Howard. I don't know why it is, but I really seem to hate him.

It's probably his face. Very irritating looking thing.

Mind you, he's Winchester born, so must be good.

Isn't Stock 'Winchester born' too? It's obviously an essential requirement.

[Ian Royal]

as you said, in quantity.

We've had quantity before and it's not done us a great deal of good. We had it last season and midfield was one of our weaker areas.

[strap]

lets hope the Howard deal goes through otherwise we look a little lightweight in midfield.

Whilst we may disagree about the quality of central midfield, we are certainly not short of quantity. For just three starting places (assuming 4-5-1) I make it that we currently have nine players (choose your own preferred order)... Harps, Marek, McAnuff, Tabb, Bryn, Karacan, Davies, Gylfi and Cisse. So an on any given day you'd expect 7 of those to either be on the bench or not involved at all(albeit some of those names can and do play in other positions, of course).

So I don't think we're lightweight there and, in fact, central midfield is the primary position where we could easily let a couple go.

I tend to agree, Howard doesn't seem very necessary. Certainly can't see it happening if Harper and Marek stay on our books. What'd be the point?

Would you accept that if Harps and Marek BOTH left, Howard would be a necessity?

[winchester_royal]

I personally cannot stand Brian Howard. I don't know why it is, but I really seem to hate him.

It's probably his face. Very irritating looking thing.

Mind you, he's Winchester born, so must be good.

Isn't Stock 'Winchester born' too? It's obviously an essential requirement.

That is true.

It's a breeding ground for quality footballers.