TSI - The Promises, Policies & Progress Thread

[Ian Royal]

lol at mcanuff and leigertwood.

two of our best players. if theyre not good enough, then no one is

Both moving into the twilight of their careers. Big fan of both, but the likes of Pearce, Federici, Le Fondre, McCleary, Kebe, Mariappa & Gunter, who weren't necessarily by any stretch of the imagination better than those two last season, could potentially make the step up and be PL players for us for a couple of years to come maybe.

McAnuff is one of my favourite players, and on his day he can tear apart a PL team. But he just isn't good enough to reproduce it day in day out in the PL (IMO - and we don't have a better option). He'll do a decent job this season, and maybe next, but to really do that, he needs other players who absolutely are the right quality around him. Same with Ledge but I don't think he's as good comparatively.

There's a reason neither of them have had a successful spell in the PL before, despite quite long careers. And it's because they aren't quite good enough to make the step up. Or when they were, didn't get the right mix around them for it to happen.

Last season, we had a core of excellent top Champ players, but even then we didn't have a settled side with a clear first team. Fullbacks we were weak at. Central Midfield we were missing creativity because both Ledge and Jem are just a little bit limited in what they can do. Up front we didn't have a clear regular goalscorer - strike partnership for half the season -

I think our tremendous run may have got us promoted with only half a team that is good enough. We've made some tremendous signings in Pog, McCleary, Mariappa (IMO) and Guthrie, yet we still look like half the team we were in 06. And more worryingly, a little like the team in 07.

[Platypuss]

Honoured to make the City Slicker pages of Private Eye again.

[ZacNaloen]

Whats the story in the private eye this time?

[robinsfriday]

http://www.itv.com/sport/football/artic ... ix-finish/

Reading owner Anton Zingarevich has set out his ambitious vision for the future of the club, including a desire to see fans come to the Madejski from "even as far as Bristol".

In a wide-ranging interview with Russian newspaper Sport Express, Zingarevich said he envisaged the club following the paths of the likes of Newcastle, Everton and Arsenal in respect of their targets and business organisation.

But asked whether the example of Norwich City was one to follow, Zingarevich was unimpressed.

"They don't have the same potential as us," the Russian owner said. "We don't want to be a team from a single city, we're interested in everything around us - the region along the Thames, even as far as Bristol."

Zingarevich's words may raise a few eyebrows among fans of several clubs in the area, but the businessman, who bought a controlling stake in Reading from John Madejski in January, maintains his ambitious approach.

"In the off-season we were negotiating with players at the level of England internationals," Zingarevich said. "People like the club."

"If the plan which is in my head comes to fruition, Reading will be in the hunt for a European spot. That means a top six finish."

And the Russian also added that the value of Reading as a business has risen considerably from the £30million he spent to buy the club last season - though he was quick to stress he has no plans to sell up."This year the club is valued at a minimum of £70million," he said. "From next year, with the increase in television rights payments, it'll be £100million."Meanwhile on the playing front, Zingarevich also indicated he may be bringing another Russian to the Madejski, in addition to striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, in the shape of Real Madrid Castilla midfielder Denis Cheryshev."Our scouts watched Cheryshev in Castilla's match against Barcelona B," Zingarevich confirmed. "Denis played 20 minutes. I can't guarantee that he will come to Reading, but it's possible, and Denis himself knows this."

[MouldyRoyal]

He really is ambitious, I just hope he doesn't get pissed off when the reality fails to live up to his vision of what we achieve.

[Royalclapper]

Has a similar tone to that of a political party making a pre-election pitch to voters. Can't knock it, just have to wonder about the scope of what is realistically possible.

[Z175]

We're all going on a European tour....(2020-2021)

[Royal Tezza]

If we stay up

If we go down

[Simon's Church]

Wants European football, signs Chris Gunter.

Put up or shut up Anton.

[robinsfriday]

Wants European football, signs Chris Gunter.

Put up or shut up Anton.

Harsh, but have to say I agree. Put your money where your mouth is or stop using our club to showboat your missus (which actually is a good thing)

[ZacNaloen]

"It's possible and he himself knows this"

I'm just imagining this said with a massive body guard, hammer in hand, just over his shoulder.

[themadstad]

I saw this on sky sports news. I love the sound of the ambition, maybe he should be in politics because he certainly talks the talk. It's looking like we have a tough season to even stay up. I'm not saying I'd expect a top 10 finish this season but I'd expect us to at least stay up.

The mention of players they spoke to and the 'people like the club' bit mmm. Makes me wonder even more why didn't we add more quality. A higher calibre of player and therefore higher wages will be required to get close to his ambition.

[themadstad]

Seems there's two differing versions of what's happening at the club. First we have Anton mention we are able to look at players due to finances. Yet following the Newcastle game McDermott said the exact opposite. Now he may have meant it in terms of competing with Newcastle, if so that's fair. In general though amongst lower half premier league teams then one of them has got the wrong idea.

If we haven't got money to compete then what is Anton's ambition all about. Like a politician is he just very good at talking the talk? He seemed clued up on valuation, as you'd imagine, but is he looking to sell us at a quick profit?

We need to be able to compete and that'll mean if we do stay up pushing the boat out that bit further. Talk of players on England international level would indicate a loan they prob tried for Defoe I'd have thought.

Comments are differing between Anton and Brian. Starting to feel Anton's ambition is simply claptrap.

[winchester_royal]

Appointed a new chief scout today. Further signs of Anton trying to deliver on his promises.

[winchester_royal]

Well that depends who is the scout.
If it's "Average Joe", then I'd not call that ambition.

The guy who's been head of Fulham's european scouting system over the last 10 years

[Royal Lady]

Also a local guy who used to be on our books in the 80s or something. Never heard of him mind!

[SPARTA]

He'd been at Fulham 10 years, and Southampton for 10 years previous to that. I'd say that's a great signing for the club.

[Lacoste]

Before I start this message, I want to say that this has been passed on to me by someone who has regular meetings with Nigel Howe (once a month). I have no doubt about his integrity and believe that what he has passed on to me is pretty accurate.

Basically in his last meeting, a week or so back they were discussing RFC, position in the prem and funding etc (basically small talk) and then the subject of Anton came up. Nigel said that when Anton first came into RFC and was going through Due Dilligence we were obviously on a great run of form etc and now in the prem we are struggling a hint of relisation has hit Anton regards to the task in hand and the expense of getting ut to where we need to be. Apparently he is back in Russia and keeps saying he'll be back for certain games and then changes his plans to stay in Russia - seems a bit more withdrawn.

I don't think Anton is about to jump ship but being a young man, it seems he may have bitten off more than he can chew and it will take him time to adapt. He also says that Boris is the main funder (which I think we knew) and that Nigel fukking hates Brendan.

This is honest information and just passing on what i've heard.

[PistolPete]

If Anton sold the club right now he'd make a profit. Has he suddenly realised it's not a walk in the park? Probably yes!!

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

Christ, Nigel Howe is a lot less discreet than I'd imagine him to be.