CONFIMRED - Glenn Murray on loan

[3points]

On today's performance he can go back to Palace in January. Isn't the right type of player to be the lone striker, doesn't work hard enough and gets too isolated.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

On today's performance he can go back to Palace in January. Isn't the right type of player to be the lone striker, doesn't work hard enough and gets too isolated.

......we shouldn't be playing a f'cking lone striker

Blame the system, not the player

[P!ssed Off]

Got a lot of criticism when I first claimed Murray was shite.
5 goals from 9, and had scored in two consecutive games.

Since then he's played 449 minutes (+ injury time), picked up £125,000 in wages, and has contributed absolutely bugger all.

Vindicated?

[Royal Ginger]

Nope, see JMW's post.

[P!ssed Off]

Only the last two games that he's played the majority of the match as a lone striker.
Did Murray improve when Cox came on today?

[Royal Ginger]

Not particularly i suppose, although Cox has always played much deeper.

Murray seems to be suffering the same way that Pogrebnyak has, having to drop very deep to get involved or chasing after long balls. He rarely receives anything to his feet.

[marlowuk]

Only the last two games that he's played the majority of the match as a lone striker.
Did Murray improve when Cox came on today?

Not really although Cox did inject more energy into the team in general when he came on.

[EarleyRoyal16]

Is it a rule on this forum that you must hate every striker that ever played for Reading Football Club?

People hated ALF, although I can understand that, people hate Pog, and now people hate the best of the 3, Murray.

Strange because for me; considering the lack of quality in his service, Murray was one of the better players today. Held the ball up well, won headers and got into good positions, it's the people playing around him which made his performance look shite. He also did probably the best pass of the match which should have put HRK through but that man happens to be the worst player at the club right now. Obviously I'm one of few who sees what Murray offers. Really hope he stays beyond January, because we'd be worse off without him.

[Ian Royal]

I thought he did alright.

[andrew1957]

He did ok on Saturday but if we can get Pog fit by January and as this season is probably a write off anyway I would rather we spent any spare dosh retaining some of our better players on longer contracts.

[Ian Royal]

He did ok on Saturday but if we can get Pog fit by January and as this season is probably a write off anyway I would rather we spent any spare dosh retaining some of our better players on longer contracts.

Pog can oxf*rd off.

[Tommy Jenkins]

With so much focus being put on the fact that Palace need a new striker it's been somewhat forgotten that we have one of our own that could return in January anyway, with Glenn Murray leaving Palace not a certainty.

Reading are thought to have the option of turning Murray's loan into a permanent transfer in January but Neil Warnock has told the Croydon Advertiser that he's still keen to 'have a look' at him.

Warnock doesn't think the 31-year-olds permanent exit is set in stone so isn't ruling out a return.

He said: 'Glenn's loan ends on January 1 - I don't know all the ins and outs yet, but I've asked to have a look at him myself.

'The thing is, I think both clubs have agreed a fee if they decide to take him but not only have they got to come up with that fee, the player has got to agree it as well.

'I don't think it's straightforward. Put it this way, I'm in no rush for him to go. I would be playing him on Saturday at Manchester City if he was back at Palace.'

Murray's gone out, got plenty of games under his belt and scored some goals - we know what he can offer so we could do worse, and save some cash in the meanwhile! We'll just have to see how this one unfolds....


Read more: http://www.palace.vitalfootball.co.uk/a ... z3MNCu5DeS

[Tommy Jenkins]

So assuming Murray goes back to Palace or goes to a top 4 Championship side who do you think we can get in? The Pog has never been prolific anywhere even though hes on shed loads. Cant see him giving us anything successful in front of goal or for a big fella being a target man Coxy could feed off of.

[Wycombe Royal]

I'm really not bothered if he does go back. Not offering any sort of value and at his age there is no future resale value either.

[Tommy Jenkins]

Inclined to agree with you Wycome, maybe with Steve Clarkes connections we maybe able to get a real good loan signing from Chelsea or somewhere. Problem is Murray is the only one Scoring any amount of goals recently. Im also lead to believe that Steve Clarke favours playing only one up front and Coxy is no target man.

[Ian Royal]

Amazed by the number of people underwhelmed by Murray. New signings are likely to be rare and cheap. Considering our other options are extremely underwhelming in Pogrebnyak, who's failed under two managers, and Samuel who's done nothing in league football.

5/6 goals is not a bad return for a striker in a struggling team who had barely played in a year or two.

[sandman]

Probably go ad score a hat trick today but here goes, Can he go back before January?

[semtex1871]

Murray was the first player to turn up at the stadium today.....he certainly seems keen.

[Tommy Jenkins]

No hes contracted to us until January 1st. Lets hope he leaves us some happy thoughts if he goes back to Palace.
Problem is if he scores a shed load of goals between now and Jan 1st Warnock will defo take him back.
If he doesnt score we might think at 31 years of age it will be better to seek other options ?

[MmmMonsterMunch]

I'd be gutted if we don't keep Murray. He has done well in a frankly rank team of late. With some more confident players around him, he could flourish.

Saying that though, if I was Murray would I want to stay at Reading?

Frankly no - has been an awful atmosphere at games, apathetic fans & all in all probably quite shit for him. I can't see him choosing to stay if I'm honest & I wouldn't blame him. Good luck to him - one of the few successes of this season IMO.

Would be great if for the next 2 weeks everyone was singing from the same hymn sheet & everyone could collectively show him that it's a decent club with the right manager in place.