The Jobi McAnuff tribute thread

[RoyallyFcuked]

A great professional and good player on his day, capable of real moments of quality, sadly we seemed to be seeing those days less and less frequently. Depending on how you look at it, sometimes frustratingly inconsistent or consistently average.

Can't help thinking some fans are a bit deluded in their thoughts about how good he is (or ever was) but still, he captained the 2012 title winning side and I won't forget that quality play off goal against Cardiff, or THAT insane run against Liverpool in the FA Cup that I still wish had gone in...

[Mr Optimist]

Sad news. A great player for us and I am proud of the fact that we were the only club where he managed to put down roots for any length of time in his career.

[RoyalBlue]

Yep sad to see him go but if we can keep hold of Obita and McCleary then I'll be happy

Prepare to be very disappointed unless we get a new owner PDQ.

Madejski will look to give away the 'scrap' (I don't regard Jobi as that but out of contract we had no option but to let him go for nothing) first and then start cashing in on the family jewels.

[Royalcop]

In my view one of the most frustrating players to ever play for us in the sense that he would always threaten to do something amazing (cf the Liverpool FA cup match) but then muck up the key pass or shot. I think it was probably consistently poor decision making that stopped him having a longer top flight career. Having said that clearly a great pro and captain and apparently a good bloke too so I wish him well but can't say I'm overly sorry to see him move on. Certainly not an RFC legend but definitely file in the 'fondly remembered' category. Despite his woeful scoring record (and for an attacking midfielder it is distinctly woeful) he'll definitely score against us next season a la Tabb.

[leww_rfc]

Considered a journeyman before he'd joined us but he definitely deserves a place in our history. Great player for us.

Bit gutted about it but I think the time is right, time for a re-structure.

[RoyallyFcuked]

In my view one of the most frustrating players to ever play for us in the sense that he would always threaten to do something amazing (cf the Liverpool FA cup match) but then muck up the key pass or shot. I think it was probably consistently poor decision making that stopped him having a longer top flight career. Having said that clearly a great pro and captain and apparently a good bloke too so I wish him well but can't say I'm overly sorry to see him move on. Certainly not an RFC legend but definitely file in the 'fondly remembered' category. Despite his woeful scoring record (and for an attacking midfielder it is distinctly woeful) he'll definitely score against us next season a la Tabb.

Agree with the vast majority of that.

[PistolPete]

ALWAYS appreciated his work rate, professionalism and most of all, his intelligence - rare to hear a footballer speak with a brain.

Sad he is no longer a Reading player.

[Libertine]

Very, very sad day...

Of course the run he made at Anfield and his on pitch reaction when we last got promoted. But the thing I will always remember about him was his level of professionalism on the pitch, even when things weren't going well, and the class he always showed off of it. Not only was great player for us, he was the face of the club during his time here. Deep runs in the cup (deeper than any of us have ever seen in our lifetimes), a promotion to the Premier League. And he was a big part of helping Jordan mature/settle into the LB position this past season which culminated in a PoTS award for our academy youngster.

I was hoping he would/the club would want him to stay around for one more go, but alas that wasn't to be. Best of luck Jobi we will miss you! Just don't score against us when we play against whichever team you end up with next season.

[melonhead]

Good luck wherever he goes
Top bloke, talented frustrating but always put a shift in
And that's pretty much all I ask

[harry]

While not surprising, the news still saddens me. Top player who gave loads, captained our second Championship-winning side. Will be missed. Not sure he will be easily to replace either.

[Will95]

Very, very sad, created some amazing moments and will linger long in the memory of our fans. Hope he goes on and smashes it somewhere again next season.

Expect many more to go now.

[genome]

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/footb ... ve-7080787

Jobi McAnuff has refused to criticise Reading following the club’s decision to end his five-year stay at Madejski Stadium.

Royals’ former captain, along with Mikele Leigertwood, Kaspars Gorkss, Wayne Bridge and Stuart Taylor, was told earlier today that he would not be getting a new deal .

The decision ends a hugely successful spell in the 32-year-old’s career but, speaking exclusively to getreading.co.uk, he was remaining philosophical about his exit.

“I’m not going to start getting into anything negative towards Reading,” he said.

“I have too much respect for the fans, who have been great to me, and I have so many friends who are still there.

“It’s one of those things. People have to make these decisions, it’s part of the game.”

McAnuff added: “My time at Reading has been fantastic. It’s been a thoroughly enjoyable chapter of my life, a stable one as well.

“Five seasons is a large chunk of my career. I’ve captained the club with massive amounts of pride and enjoyment.

“I’ve had many great times, the Championship win obviously, and also some bad ones as well.

“But it’s been a fantastic experience. It’s a time of my career I’ll never forget.”

McAnuff was told that he was being released just three days after Reading had failed to secure a play-off spot following their 2-2 draw with Burnley on Saturday.

And the former Watford man admits as the season wore on, he began to accept that his future probably lay elsewhere.

“To be honest it’s not really much of a surprise to me,” he said.

“Something was put to me in pre-season which was not suitable for myself. It was never anything I was going to accept and things haven’t ever moved forward from there.

“So I have to move on. It’s what happens in football but I certainly still feel I have a lot of offer.”

With that in mind, McAnuff will now turn his attentions to finding a new club for next season.

“There has been a bit of contact here and there,” he said. “I’ve got people out there who have been working on that for me.

“But my focus during that time has been to try and get Reading promoted.”

[RoyalBlue]

For fck sake Reading Jobi has still got it.


One of my favourite every Reading players, clueless oxf*rd have directed vitriol at him for a few seasons now without seeing what he brings to the team and how much he cares. Goal away at Cardiff was glorious.

Fook

Sums up my thoughts. The pratt behind me in Y21 will have to find another player to victimise in his pursuit of true football ignorance!

[akranes]

For fck sake Reading Jobi has still got it.


One of my favourite every Reading players, clueless oxf*rd have directed vitriol at him for a few seasons now without seeing what he brings to the team and how much he cares. Goal away at Cardiff was glorious.

Fook

Sums up my thoughts. The pratt behind me in Y21 will have to find another player to victimise in his pursuit of true football ignorance!

Don't worry, they've been preparing the Akpan hate, except him to be the scapegoat next year.

[St. Brynjar]

I can do McAnuff no greater honour than posting up my Royals Allstar XI

.......................Shaka
...Murty, Ingimarsson, Wdowczyk, Shorey
.................Harper, Sidwell
Little..............Sigurdsson.........McAnuff
.......................Kitson

He wasn't bad but...Kebe? Convey? Hunt?

[Royal Ginger]

McAnuff on the left, Kebe on the right will be remembered by me as something of a golden age.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a bit sentimental about players who have done a job for us leaving, but to allow this one to fizzle to a free seems quite sad.

I'd think with his documented willing, and his advancing years he'd be a cheaper renewal at a better quality then we'd be able to find elsewhere, especially considering Bridge leaving puts Obita squarely at LB.

Sad news.



Legend

[Elm Park Old Boy]

Very, very sad day...

Of course the run he made at Anfield and his on pitch reaction when we last got promoted. But the thing I will always remember about him was his level of professionalism on the pitch, even when things weren't going well, and the class he always showed off of it. Not only was great player for us, he was the face of the club during his time here. Deep runs in the cup (deeper than any of us have ever seen in our lifetimes), a promotion to the Premier League. And he was a big part of helping Jordan mature/settle into the LB position this past season which culminated in a PoTS award for our academy youngster.

I was hoping he would/the club would want him to stay around for one more go, but alas that wasn't to be. Best of luck Jobi we will miss you! Just don't score against us when we play against whichever team you end up with next season.

My thoughts entirely. Both he and Ledge showed against Burnley what we're giving up. A great guy, will always be remembered fondly.

[RoyalBlue]

Very, very sad day...

Of course the run he made at Anfield and his on pitch reaction when we last got promoted. But the thing I will always remember about him was his level of professionalism on the pitch, even when things weren't going well, and the class he always showed off of it. Not only was great player for us, he was the face of the club during his time here. Deep runs in the cup (deeper than any of us have ever seen in our lifetimes), a promotion to the Premier League. And he was a big part of helping Jordan mature/settle into the LB position this past season which culminated in a PoTS award for our academy youngster.

I was hoping he would/the club would want him to stay around for one more go, but alas that wasn't to be. Best of luck Jobi we will miss you! Just don't score against us when we play against whichever team you end up with next season.

My thoughts entirely. Both he and Ledge showed against Burnley what we're giving up. A great guy, will always be remembered fondly.

It's a short-sighted cost cutting move, and, as others have said, will likely cost us more (for the same quality) in the longer run. Against Burnley, Jobi and Ledge both showed that they still very much have what is required at this level and I doubt they will lose that over the close season!

[southbank1871]

Nice to see the illusion that Murty was a great captain lives on to this day. McAnuff was a much better captain and by all accounts actually had the respect of his team m8s and wasn't a total pcunt.

Very disappointed to not see him offered a new contract and it's now the sad realisation that we're going to be left with the likes of Guthrie and Drenthe.

[winchester_royal]

Very, very sad day...

Of course the run he made at Anfield and his on pitch reaction when we last got promoted. But the thing I will always remember about him was his level of professionalism on the pitch, even when things weren't going well, and the class he always showed off of it. Not only was great player for us, he was the face of the club during his time here. Deep runs in the cup (deeper than any of us have ever seen in our lifetimes), a promotion to the Premier League. And he was a big part of helping Jordan mature/settle into the LB position this past season which culminated in a PoTS award for our academy youngster.

I was hoping he would/the club would want him to stay around for one more go, but alas that wasn't to be. Best of luck Jobi we will miss you! Just don't score against us when we play against whichever team you end up with next season.

My thoughts entirely. Both he and Ledge showed against Burnley what we're giving up. A great guy, will always be remembered fondly.

It's a short-sighted cost cutting move, and, as others have said, will likely cost us more (for the same quality) in the longer run. Against Burnley, Jobi and Ledge both showed that they still very much have what is required at this level and I doubt they will lose that over the close season!

Woah, hold on. Ledge spends all season injured on big wages, comes back for the last few games and plays 135 mins of good football, and suddenly the decision to let him go is deemed a short-sighted cost-cutting measure

He was gr8 for us in the build up to promotion, but the chances of him being able to play even 80% of next season are very slim and as such the limited money we have would be better spent on making sure we have a set of midfielders next season who aren't going to be injured half the time.

It's sad to see him go, but if we want to build a new, younger team (and people have been calling for this all season) that is capable of playing good football then these are the type of decisions we have to make.