Summer Rebuild

[Ian Royal]

Surely if we're going to use an attacking midfielder, it will be someone already at the club? I would imagine that's why we've signed Alex. Cox played very well there last season, and I'd be interested in seeing Pogrebnyak play there. Once all our wingers are fit, Stacey or Hurtado could play there.

I think we're going to be focused on 4-3-3 though, even if we add yet another striker.

Yeah what we are wondering is, are any of the players we already have here suitable for that position?

It remains to be seen whether Alex and Hurtado can play there and do the job we need, as I don't think we have bought either of them for that position, and certainly not for that position alone. Alex is primarly a centre mid and Hurtado a winger.

Don't think "creative attacking midfielder" has ever been Cox's job, even when he was playing alongside Murray.

As for Pogrebnyak playing there Now that I would love to see

It's a more natural position for Pog, though not in the role you are obviously considering, but it's worth remembering there are different ways of playing the role in behind the frontman.

He spends a lot of his time deep holding the ball up. That's one of his issues, he's not far forward often enough and isn't quick enough to get up to the attack he's helped create.

Cox definitely played the link between Murray and midfield role. Perhaps not a creative, tricksy and pacey attacking midfield role, but in the same position just in a different style.

[RoyallyFcuked]

Surely if we're going to use an attacking midfielder, it will be someone already at the club? I would imagine that's why we've signed Alex. Cox played very well there last season, and I'd be interested in seeing Pogrebnyak play there. Once all our wingers are fit, Stacey or Hurtado could play there.

I think we're going to be focused on 4-3-3 though, even if we add yet another striker.

Yeah what we are wondering is, are any of the players we already have here suitable for that position?

It remains to be seen whether Alex and Hurtado can play there and do the job we need, as I don't think we have bought either of them for that position, and certainly not for that position alone. Alex is primarly a centre mid and Hurtado a winger.

Don't think "creative attacking midfielder" has ever been Cox's job, even when he was playing alongside Murray.

As for Pogrebnyak playing there Now that I would love to see

It's a more natural position for Pog, though not in the role you are obviously considering, but it's worth remembering there are different ways of playing the role in behind the frontman.

He spends a lot of his time deep holding the ball up. That's one of his issues, he's not far forward often enough and isn't quick enough to get up to the attack he's helped create.

Cox definitely played the link between Murray and midfield role. Perhaps not a creative, tricksy and pacey attacking midfield role, but in the same position just in a different style.

You're right, there are certainly different ways of playing behind the frontman. Pog could play as the secondary/supporting striker you are suggesting, similar to the role Cox had with Murray. Whether it would actually work is another matter.

My issue is that a change in style up top seems to be what is needed, and a creative attacking midfielder playing inbetween two wide men, and behind one (possibly two) strikers could be the answer.

[Lacoste]

Surely if we're going to use an attacking midfielder, it will be someone already at the club? I would imagine that's why we've signed Alex. Cox played very well there last season, and I'd be interested in seeing Pogrebnyak play there. Once all our wingers are fit, Stacey or Hurtado could play there.

I think we're going to be focused on 4-3-3 though, even if we add yet another striker.

Yeah what we are wondering is, are any of the players we already have here suitable for that position?

It remains to be seen whether Alex and Hurtado can play there and do the job we need, as I don't think we have bought either of them for that position, and certainly not for that position alone. Alex is primarly a centre mid and Hurtado a winger.

Don't think "creative attacking midfielder" has ever been Cox's job, even when he was playing alongside Murray.

As for Pogrebnyak playing there Now that I would love to see

It's a more natural position for Pog, though not in the role you are obviously considering, but it's worth remembering there are different ways of playing the role in behind the frontman.

He spends a lot of his time deep holding the ball up. That's one of his issues, he's not far forward often enough and isn't quick enough to get up to the attack he's helped create.

Cox definitely played the link between Murray and midfield role. Perhaps not a creative, tricksy and pacey attacking midfield role, but in the same position just in a different style.

Oh my

[WoodleyRoyal]

Surely if we're going to use an attacking midfielder, it will be someone already at the club? I would imagine that's why we've signed Alex. Cox played very well there last season, and I'd be interested in seeing Pogrebnyak play there. Once all our wingers are fit, Stacey or Hurtado could play there.

I think we're going to be focused on 4-3-3 though, even if we add yet another striker.

Yeah what we are wondering is, are any of the players we already have here suitable for that position?

It remains to be seen whether Alex and Hurtado can play there and do the job we need, as I don't think we have bought either of them for that position, and certainly not for that position alone. Alex is primarly a centre mid and Hurtado a winger.

Don't think "creative attacking midfielder" has ever been Cox's job, even when he was playing alongside Murray.

As for Pogrebnyak playing there Now that I would love to see

It's a more natural position for Pog, though not in the role you are obviously considering, but it's worth remembering there are different ways of playing the role in behind the frontman.

He spends a lot of his time deep holding the ball up. That's one of his issues, he's not far forward often enough and isn't quick enough to get up to the attack he's helped create.

Cox definitely played the link between Murray and midfield role. Perhaps not a creative, tricksy and pacey attacking midfield role, but in the same position just in a different style.

Ever thought about changing your posting style to quality over quantity?

[Ian Royal]

Not so sure on the change in style needed RF. I'd want to see us at least trying to get Plan A right with the right players before buying players to go with Plan B.

McCleary, Hurtado and Fosu may make no difference, but we've still got no idea what Clarke's preferred team is beyond the back 5. I'm not sure you could be confident onbthe shape either.

[RoyallyFcuked]

Not so sure on the change in style needed RF. I'd want to see us at least trying to get Plan A right with the right players before buying players to go with Plan B.

McCleary, Hurtado and Fosu may make no difference, but we've still got no idea what Clarke's preferred team is beyond the back 5. I'm not sure you could be confident onbthe shape either.

That's the thing though m8, we haven't been getting Plan A right for a long time, and it seems we have no Plan B.

We are so one dimensional in attack and to be honest it's boring and predictable. We will have to wait and see what the new and returning players bring, and how the squad looks on September 1st, but changes in attack are certainly needed.

[RoyallyFcuked]

It'll be behind Pog, obviously.

What were you saying m8?

[Ian Royal]

Not so sure on the change in style needed RF. I'd want to see us at least trying to get Plan A right with the right players before buying players to go with Plan B.

McCleary, Hurtado and Fosu may make no difference, but we've still got no idea what Clarke's preferred team is beyond the back 5. I'm not sure you could be confident onbthe shape either.

That's the thing though m8, we haven't been getting Plan A right for a long time, and it seems we have no Plan B.

We are so one dimensional in attack and to be honest it's boring and predictable. We will have to wait and see what the new and returning players bring, and how the squad looks on September 1st, but changes in attack are certainly needed.

Oh agreed we're one dimensional, but steps have been taken, they just haven't got to the first team yet.

No point throwing your plan out the window after going to the trouble of taking action in the summer just because you haven't managed to get all the right pieces you have on the board after 4 games.

[Hogmeister Royal]

Sorry, I must have missed something.... Pog as an attacking midfielder??

Love it that this was actually being discussed on here. Just as well that we've finally got shot of him!

[Lacoste]

Sorry, I must have missed something.... Pog as an attacking midfielder??

Love it that this was actually being discussed on here. Just as well that we've finally got shot of him!

That would be Ian (daddy issues) Royal

I know mate, Pog as an attacking midfielder You just couldn't make it up.

[RoyallyFcuked]

Sorry, I must have missed something.... Pog as an attacking midfielder??

Love it that this was actually being discussed on here. Just as well that we've finally got shot of him!

That would be Ian (daddy issues) Royal

I know mate, Pog as an attacking midfielder You just couldn't make it up.

I LOLed at that as well, but in fairness to Ian he meant it as Pog playing as a supporting/secondary striker.

Think it was only SCIAG that suggested Pog as an attacking mid, although he may have meant the same as Ian.

[Forbury Lion]

Stats can be deceiving.

Do you have anything to back that claim up?

[Ian Royal]

Sorry, I must have missed something.... Pog as an attacking midfielder??

Love it that this was actually being discussed on here. Just as well that we've finally got shot of him!

That would be Ian (daddy issues) Royal

I know mate, Pog as an attacking midfielder You just couldn't make it up.

I LOLed at that as well, but in fairness to Ian he meant it as Pog playing as a supporting/secondary striker.

Think it was only SCIAG that suggested Pog as an attacking mid, although he may have meant the same as Ian.

Don't worry, Lacoste is too simple to understand that a second (deep) striker fills the same slot in the teamsheet as an attacking central midfielder. One, t'other or neither. Both play between the lines, just with different attributes and in different ways.

[Lacoste]

Steve Clarke hopes to get ‘one or two’ new signings in before Tuesday’s transfer deadline - with a striker still the priority.

Royals have been looking for a frontman all summer and have been chasing Slovenia international Robert Beric.

But he now looks set to complete a €5 million switch to French side St. Etienne, leaving Clarke having to look elsewhere before the window shuts at 6pm on Tuesday.

Royals’ boss remains hopeful of adding to his squad, however, and believes the Reading fans will be happy if he were to land his top target.

“I’m not really expecting to be overly busy,” he said, when asked about his transfer plans between now and Tuesday.

“I’m hoping that not too many people come and try and steal players from my squad.

“But if we can get one, maybe two in, before the window then great.”

He added: “I can’t talk about any individual targets because it’s not correct.

“I know it’s boring for you bit we just try and do our business quietly.


Reading target Robert Beric watches the St. Etienne game on Sunday. He is due to sign a four-year deal with the French club.

“If we can get one of the targets in that we’re looking at I think the Reading fans will be quite pleased.

“But there is no given in this game. Between now and 6pm on Tuesday can be madness.”

Despite being in the hunt for a new striker all summer, Reading still opted to allow Pavel Pogrebnyak to return to Russia last week when he completed a move to Dynamo Moscow.

It was a surprise departure, one that led many to assume another frontman must now be on his way into the club.

But Clarke insists his transfer plans have not changed following Pogrebnyak’s exit.

“I don’t think it’s accelerated it (the need for a new striker),” he said. “It hasn’t changed anything really. We were always looking and we’re still looking.

“Obviously Pavel has gone back to Russia. Which was a great move for Pavel and probably a great move for the club, it’s one of the high wage earners off the bill, but I’ll tell you in a couple of months whether it was a good move for me.

“I would like to think we could get one in to replace Pavel, that would be a big plus for us.”

[Royal_jimmy]

I dread to think how many more home games we will fail to score in if we don't sign a goalscorer

[From Despair To Where?]

When you hear reports of Wednesday offering £10m for McCormick, it makes our outlay of circa £2m on 9 first team players (plus Semedo and Liburd) look extraordinary.

[Ian Royal]

When you hear reports of Wednesday offering £10m for McCormick, it makes our outlay of circa £2m on 9 first team players (plus Semedo and Liburd) look extraordinary.

It makes Wednesday look barking mad, just as Fulham did, and Blackburn before them for Rhodes.

[Hoop Blah]

Murray is going for £5m as well by the sounds of it. Silly money all round really.

Anyway, adding Piazon tour attacking options looks like a great move by Clarke as well. Really quite excited by the prospect of him and he could easily be the most watchable Reading player since Sigurdsson if he gets anywhere near his potential.

[PistolPete]

I know Hector could possibly play right back, but apart from that, and as long as we do sign a striker, it's the one position lacking cover.

[toppy]

I know Hector could possibly play right back, but apart from that, and as long as we do sign a striker, it's the one position lacking cover.

guessing some of the u21 lads?