CONFIMRED - Glenn Murray on loan

[JamesWN]

I don't really get the dislike of Murray on here. Admittedly he's not scored as many goals as we'd have liked but his movement, work rate and general play is just what the side needed.

He misses chances yes, like all forwards, but it is still a positive that he's getting into the positions to be on the end of the rare chances we've been created the last couple of months. That's a good start. Hopefully we'll now see the whole side grow in confidence and, if he remains part of the squad, I'm sure his performances will start to yield more in the way of goals.

would I spend a significant amount of money on him in January if I were the club/Steve Clarke? Probably not no. He's 31 and unlikely to sign a 1.5 year deal to take us up to the end of next season so I'd probably want to spend the wages and fee elsewhere and try and make better use of Blackman (can't believe I've just typed that!) and Pogrebnyak as partners for Cox and give Tanner and Samuel a bit more of a chance.

To say Murray isn't any good is just a tad daft though. He's part of an under performing squad that's dragging it's own performances down and has cost the manager his job (the manager being a large part of that underperformance of course). The movement and ability he's shown though proves he's still a good forward at this level, he just needs it to click into place a little more.

You make a good point Hoop! I do think we should invest more in Blackman (Which is hard to read) as he can live up to be a decent player.

[Royalwaster]

I don't really get the dislike of Murray on here. Admittedly he's not scored as many goals as we'd have liked but his movement, work rate and general play is just what the side needed.

He misses chances yes, like all forwards, but it is still a positive that he's getting into the positions to be on the end of the rare chances we've been created the last couple of months. That's a good start. Hopefully we'll now see the whole side grow in confidence and, if he remains part of the squad, I'm sure his performances will start to yield more in the way of goals.

would I spend a significant amount of money on him in January if I were the club/Steve Clarke? Probably not no. He's 31 and unlikely to sign a 1.5 year deal to take us up to the end of next season so I'd probably want to spend the wages and fee elsewhere and try and make better use of Blackman (can't believe I've just typed that!) and Pogrebnyak as partners for Cox and give Tanner and Samuel a bit more of a chance.

To say Murray isn't any good is just a tad daft though. He's part of an under performing squad that's dragging it's own performances down and has cost the manager his job (the manager being a large part of that underperformance of course). The movement and ability he's shown though proves he's still a good forward at this level, he just needs it to click into place a little more.

+1 ... although I think we'll miss him more than we think; his hold up play is really very good and I don't think we've got anyone like it in the squad bar maybe the Pog ....

[Ian Royal]

From Despair To Where

Yes. He's significantly better than Pog and we'll be very lucky to find a better player cheaper unless his wages and fee are unexpectedly high. He's already intigrated and the only thing against him is age.

I don't really see the point in chancing our arm on a lower league up and comer who may flop, or a PL youngster lacking in experience.

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

He's significantly better than Pog

In what way?

[Ian Royal]

He's significantly better than Pog

In what way?

every way except falling over and diving. Maybe not in staying onside i spose.

[P!ssed Off]

He's significantly better than Pog

In what way?

every way except falling over and diving. Maybe not in staying onside i spose.

Murray and Pogrebnyak are virtually the same player when it comes to falling over and diving. After every game we hear "the defender was all over Murray, and the ref gave nothing". After every single game!

Is every single referee biased against Reading, or does Murray simply fall over and dive at every given opportunity?

[Ian Royal]

every way except falling over and diving. Maybe not in staying onside i spose.

Murray and Pogrebnyak are virtually the same player when it comes to falling over and diving. After every game we hear "the defender was all over Murray, and the ref gave nothing". After every single game!

Is every single referee biased against Reading, or does Murray simply fall over and dive at every given opportunity?

LOL

[P!ssed Off]

As far I see it there is very little risk in going for a lower league up and comer over Murray.
Yes, they might flop. But I'd take a potential flop over a definite flop which is what we have now.

The lone striker's role is to win points for his team. How many points has Murray won us?
Of Murray's last 15 starts, Murray's goals have earnt us 4 points. (And that's being generous assuming we might not have beaten Blackpool without his soft opener).

Let's face it, had we played youth player up front in the last 15 games how many points would we realistically be worse off? Barely any imo, if any at all.

[From Despair To Where?]

From Despair To Where

Yes. He's significantly better than Pog and we'll be very lucky to find a better player cheaper unless his wages and fee are unexpectedly high. He's already intigrated and the only thing against him is age.

I don't really see the point in chancing our arm on a lower league up and comer who may flop, or a PL youngster lacking in experience.

So you'd happily see us sail close to the wind with FFP and neglect strengthening in other areas because there's a very realistic chance that's what signing Murray means. Is the rest of the squad really so good that we can risk a transfer embargo to sign him?

Sorry, he's not good enough to risk that.

And just to remind you what I said in the first place

Let's be honest, neither Pog or Murray are the answer to our problems.

[Hoop Blah]

As far I see it there is very little risk in going for a lower league up and comer over Murray.
Yes, they might flop. But I'd take a potential flop over a definite flop which is what we have now.

The lone striker's role is to win points for his team. How many points has Murray won us?
Of Murray's last 15 starts, Murray's goals have earnt us 4 points. (And that's being generous assuming we might not have beaten Blackpool without his soft opener).

Let's face it, had we played youth player up front in the last 15 games how many points would we realistically be worse off? Barely any imo, if any at all.

Murray isn't there just to score goals. The job he does for us is more than good enough, he just needs to take a few more chances which he's proven he's capable of. Despite what you think he's a good player at this level and a known quantity. I'm not convinced he'd cost us that much either considering his age etc.

I'm not that in favour of keeping him though, but his role has been significant.

Taking a punt of a lower league player with potential isn't going to be cheap. Don't forget that Blackman cost us something like £1.5m and other up and coming lower league players like Wells, Austin and Vokes all cost around the same. If you're looking at real cheap gambles, as we have in the past with Brett Williams, Mooney or Manset, then we're likely to end up with a dud on our hands because picking up a Kitson, Doyle or Long is very rare and usually they take quite a time to develop into the player we need them to be right now if we don't have Murray.

Between Cox, Pogrebnyak and Blackman, plus the youngsters we may have enough to see us through to the end of the season. If that's the case then for me it's probably Murray or nothing in terms of buying in another forward. If, on the other hand Clarke can pull some strings and get us someone like Bamford on loan to replace Murray as a stop gap then I can see the logic in that.

[Ian Royal]

From Despair To Where

Yes. He's significantly better than Pog and we'll be very lucky to find a better player cheaper unless his wages and fee are unexpectedly high. He's already intigrated and the only thing against him is age.

I don't really see the point in chancing our arm on a lower league up and comer who may flop, or a PL youngster lacking in experience.

So you'd happily see us sail close to the wind with FFP and neglect strengthening in other areas because there's a very realistic chance that's what signing Murray means. Is the rest of the squad really so good that we can risk a transfer embargo to sign him?

Sorry, he's not good enough to risk that.

And just to remind you what I said in the first place

Let's be honest, neither Pog or Murray are the answer to our problems.

He's with us already and the cost is factored into our structure. If we don't get Murray we need someone instead.

I agree, because our problems don't particularly lie upfront. They lie in confidence, midfield and defence. Murray and Cox are a perfectly good enough first choice attack. Left wing, left back, central midfield and central defence are where our problems lie. Take away Murray and you add upfront to that.

[peterroyal76]

As far I see it there is very little risk in going for a lower league up and comer over Murray.
Yes, they might flop. But I'd take a potential flop over a definite flop which is what we have now.

The lone striker's role is to win points for his team. How many points has Murray won us?
Of Murray's last 15 starts, Murray's goals have earnt us 4 points. (And that's being generous assuming we might not have beaten Blackpool without his soft opener).

Let's face it, had we played youth player up front in the last 15 games how many points would we realistically be worse off? Barely any imo, if any at all.

You obviously haven't watched Murray during a game have you?

[SCIAG]

PO is turning into sandman but for Murray instead of McCarthy.

[P!ssed Off]

As far I see it there is very little risk in going for a lower league up and comer over Murray.
Yes, they might flop. But I'd take a potential flop over a definite flop which is what we have now.

The lone striker's role is to win points for his team. How many points has Murray won us?
Of Murray's last 15 starts, Murray's goals have earnt us 4 points. (And that's being generous assuming we might not have beaten Blackpool without his soft opener).

Let's face it, had we played youth player up front in the last 15 games how many points would we realistically be worse off? Barely any imo, if any at all.

You obviously haven't watched Murray during a game have you?

Which games do you think Reading would have lost points had Murray been replaced by a youth player?

Of Murray's 9 games that I've attended he's notched as many yellow cards as goals. Sign. Him. Up.

[P!ssed Off]

PO is turning into sandman but for Murray instead of McCarthy.

Luckily, in two games time Murray's mediocre spell at Reading can be put to bed and we can all move on.

[From Despair To Where?]

From Despair To Where

Yes. He's significantly better than Pog and we'll be very lucky to find a better player cheaper unless his wages and fee are unexpectedly high. He's already intigrated and the only thing against him is age.

I don't really see the point in chancing our arm on a lower league up and comer who may flop, or a PL youngster lacking in experience.

So you'd happily see us sail close to the wind with FFP and neglect strengthening in other areas because there's a very realistic chance that's what signing Murray means. Is the rest of the squad really so good that we can risk a transfer embargo to sign him?

Sorry, he's not good enough to risk that.

And just to remind you what I said in the first place

Let's be honest, neither Pog or Murray are the answer to our problems.

He's with us already and the cost is factored into our structure. If we don't get Murray we need someone instead.

I agree, because our problems don't particularly lie upfront. They lie in confidence, midfield and defence. Murray and Cox are a perfectly good enough first choice attack. Left wing, left back, central midfield and central defence are where our problems lie. Take away Murray and you add upfront to that.

I think we will be looking at loans rather than transfers in in this window as we will have more room to manouvre in the summer when high earners are moved on. Footballing reasons put aside completely for a moment, with the requirements of FFP and the loss of revenue from falling attendances it is too much of a financial gamble to buy Murray. And then you factor in his form and it makes even less sense.

If we could sell Pog (not going to happen BTW), then yes, Murray would be an adequate like for like replacement. We can't afford them both

[sandman]

PO is turning into sandman but for Murray instead of McCarthy.

Or turning into you but with Murray instead of Akpan.

[bcubed]

I don't really get the dislike of Murray on here. Admittedly he's not scored as many goals as we'd have liked but his movement, work rate and general play is just what the side needed.

He misses chances yes, like all forwards, but it is still a positive that he's getting into the positions to be on the end of the rare chances we've been created the last couple of months. That's a good start. Hopefully we'll now see the whole side grow in confidence and, if he remains part of the squad, I'm sure his performances will start to yield more in the way of goals.

would I spend a significant amount of money on him in January if I were the club/Steve Clarke? Probably not no. He's 31 and unlikely to sign a 1.5 year deal to take us up to the end of next season so I'd probably want to spend the wages and fee elsewhere and try and make better use of Blackman (can't believe I've just typed that!) and Pogrebnyak as partners for Cox and give Tanner and Samuel a bit more of a chance.

To say Murray isn't any good is just a tad daft though. He's part of an under performing squad that's dragging it's own performances down and has cost the manager his job (the manager being a large part of that underperformance of course). The movement and ability he's shown though proves he's still a good forward at this level, he just needs it to click into place a little more.

You make a good point Hoop! I do think we should invest more in Blackman (Which is hard to read) as he can live up to be a decent player.

I generally agree with HB posts but I cant on this one

My dislike of Murray (and I think its true of others) is that he just doesnt look like he wants to be at Reading at all.

It seems like he thinks he is a bit too good for the Championship and as a result he doesnt put the effort in. He doesnt jump for the ball that effectively and would rather stand his ground and try to claim a free kick. I don't actually think he has that much movement and what he does is slow and he certainly doesn't put his body on the line and make that extra effort to get on the end of a cross. And what was he doing on Saturday? Head the ball man instead of letting it drop and skying it!

Won't be sorry to see him go even if it means we have Pog back

[Tommy Jenkins]

Reading’s awful, shambolic and woeful defending has been a major contribution towards the poor run of form that they currently find themselves in. However, this is not the only contributing factor, as Reading have also lacked the creativity to make goals and the ability to convert them.

When Glenn Murray signed on loan for the Royals, just moments before the transfer day deadline ended back in September, the majority of fans were upbeat that a temporary replacement for Adam Le Fondre had been found. The club had finally brought an attacking minded player to the club, and Reading’s measly looking attacking line-up was strengthened considerably.

Murray signed a loan deal with a view to a permanent move and there are now two key questions on everyone’s mind: Has Murray performed well enough to earn himself a second contract? And will there be the funds available should Reading want to sign him?

Looking at his performances so far this season, I would quite happily argue that he has not been good enough. Murray has scored just six times in 16 appearances and is not the leading striker that most originally hoped he would be. Whilst he has formed a satisfactory partnership with Simon Cox, and some fans would rightly argue whether Murray has been getting a good level of service, he is too wasteful with his chances and his return so far is at a sub-standard level.

The problem is that there is no competition for Murray and this is why I am not for one moment saying that he should not start the next game as currently, he is the best striker that Reading have. It is the fact that there is no contest for his place that worries me.

Regardless of whether Murray has a good or bad game, he knows that he is likely to be the first name of the manager’s team sheet as the likes of Pogrebnyak, Robson-Kanu or Blackman do not come close to challenging him for his spot. Another option for the Royals to consider is the young attacking options in the academy. Giving one of these youngsters a chance in the FA Cup game away to Huddersfield would be the perfect opportunity.

When considering the second question, whether there will be funds available to sign Murray or an alternative striker in January, it’s another problem altogether. After the departure of Nigel Adkins, Reading’s current financial position and recent comments by Nicky Hammond regarding the Financial Fair Play rules, it is unlikely that Reading will be big spenders in next month’s transfer window.

It is a difficult decision on whether Reading should re-sign Murray when his contract expires on January 1, but I do not think that he has done enough to prove that he deserves another contract at the club. Instead, I would loan in a young, quick striker with either a proven goalscoring record, or one that has experienced a high number of games in the lower leagues. Strikers that come to mind include: Nakhi Wells, Benik Afobe and Patrick Bamford.

The most likely of these is Patrick Bamford, who has been performing well at Middleborough, but who will return to Chelsea on January 1. Steve Clarke’s links with Chelsea and Mourinho are strong and fans would hope that a deal would be possible. However, regardless of who Reading sign in the January transfer window, it is clear that at least one striker is a necessity. The current attacking options without Murray are almost non-existent.

To put this simply, Murray is an ageing striker that will hold the ball up well, work hard and end the season with an average goal tally. If Reading’s future ambition is to make a fairly quick return to the Premier League, they should be asking themselves whether signing Glenn Murray over a young, attacking proven goalscorer is really the answer.

Other News

There are rumours Sunderland are looking at Gunter for 2 mill, Reading are hoping to sign 29 year old Slovenian left back Jure Travner who has been training with the club for two months but there is a contractual dispute with his club FC Baku.
Matt Bamford returns to Chelsea from his loan period and Steve Clarke is thought to be tapping up the special one at Chelsea to see if there's a very slim chance we can get him, The Pog has intimated he willing be making a big decision on where his future lays. So despite what is being said by the Reading board.There just (might be more transfer activity than we have seen for a while which also means Steve Ckarke making very quick decesions who to ship out and whether he pursues the option of Hen Murray or not.



T

[JimmytheJim]

some excellent points that haven't been made on any other threads on the team board.

someone should start a thread about whether chris gunter can cut it at this level, too.