Ali Al-Habsi

[JimmytheJim]

is brilliant and hugely underrated by reading fans.

discuss.

[Lower West]

What's to discuss. At the moment he's our number one.

Is he totally comfortable with the style of play that Stam has introduced. Then the answer is no.

[Jagermesiter1871]

Wasn't he voted player of the season last year? Suggests he probably isn't underrated.

I'd say he's a shoe in for it again this year.

[Ian Royal]

He's always been a good keeper, just prone to a few absolute clangers. He seems to have largely removed them from his game over the last 9 months or so though.

If he wasn't comfortable with the way Stam's asking us to play, he wouldn't regularly wrong foot strikers and demand the full backs drop back to receive a pass when under pressure. He's not the best passer in the world, it doesn't always come off, but then that's true of every player on the pitch. His just have bigger risk by virtual of his position. If he wasn't comfortable he'd just spaff it into the stands for a throw in.

[LUX]

Lives in the same block as my Mum, near Caversham Bridge.

A gentleman.

[Old Biscuitman]

Lives in the same block as my Mum, near Caversham Bridge.

A gentleman.

Does he carry in your Mum's shopping?

But seriously, it's heartening to hear him described as a gentleman. Can't think of too many of those wearing a RFC shirt of recent times. Perhaps Ingi and Gunnar.

[LUX]

Lives in the same block as my Mum, near Caversham Bridge.

A gentleman.

Does he carry in your Mum's shopping?.

Not since he dropped the eggs

[rob_dawson]

is brilliant and hugely underrated by reading fans.

discuss.

He is not under rated in my mind at all. I've sung his praises for months and months and can't help but roll my eyes when some call him "al flapsy" or whatever it is.

A few things I love about him:

1) He's a good keeper
2) Similar to above... he stops some absolutely insane shots and has saved us so many times
3) he has a big connection to the fans. Remember west brom at home, jumping into Y25...

[Woodcote Royal]

Light years ahead of the seriously over rated Federici.

[Nameless]

Lives in the same block as my Mum, near Caversham Bridge.

A gentleman.

Does he carry in your Mum's shopping?

But seriously, it's heartening to hear him described as a gentleman. Can't think of too many of those wearing a RFC shirt of recent times. Perhaps Ingi and Gunnar.

Marcus was a lovely chap too....

[sandman]

Light years ahead of the seriously over rated McCarthy.

Corrected.

[ayjaydee]

I went to a corporate Q&A at the club earlier this year and AAH was one of the players. He is one on the most humble human beings I have met and in the words of Harry Enfield's Tim Nice But Dim " an absolutely thoroughly bloody nice bloke".

Incidentally, the other two players wheeled out were George Evans and Jake Cooper, also two very personable young men.

[Nameless]

One way in which I think we do underestimate him is how significant a person he is in his own country. Recently met an Omani who said Ali is a hugely respected person in Oman, not just because he's their best footballer but by all accounts he's expected to move in to a high profile political role once he retires from football.

[bobby m's syrup]

Lives in the same block as my Mum, near Caversham Bridge.

A gentleman.

Does he carry in your Mum's shopping?

But seriously, it's heartening to hear him described as a gentleman. Can't think of too many of those wearing a RFC shirt of recent times. Perhaps Ingi and Gunnar.

Don't forget Bobby Convey who was a good club ambassador.

[bobby m's syrup]

Found this amongst several other topics relating to AAH

http://timesofoman.com/article/94084/Om ... h-clean-up

[From Despair To Where?]

Dare I say it that working as a fireman for 3 years before moving to Europe has made him a little bit more grounded than your average footballer?

[Hound]

I think sometimes footballers just get a bad name due to the actions of a few clowns who get into the press

Most of the time, they are just normal young lads who appreciate the career they have got. All have had to work extremely hard to make it.

Bumped very randomly into Danny Williams not so long ago, and he was a very friendly chap, and more than happy to have a photo despite me obviously interrupting his day

[Royalwaster]

I think sometimes footballers just get a bad name due to the actions of a few clowns who get into the press

Most of the time, they are just normal young lads who appreciate the career they have got. All have had to work extremely hard to make it.

Bumped very randomly into Danny Williams not so long ago, and he was a very friendly chap, and more than happy to have a photo despite me obviously interrupting his day

I think sometimes footballers just jet a good name due to the actions of a few decent guys like Al-Habsi.

[Coppell's Ghost]

Seems like a nice guy
Solid shot stopper
Confident on crosses
....Distribution is woeful
....... and in Stams way of playing it needs someone at the back spraying passes confidently - he can learn this at Hogwood,,, but I thought it should have clicked by now, @ Wigan it looked like he was playing for touch a lot, especially from dead balls.

The club doesn't have money for a new keeper so no story here.

[From Despair To Where?]

I think sometimes footballers just get a bad name due to the actions of a few clowns who get into the press

Most of the time, they are just normal young lads who appreciate the career they have got. All have had to work extremely hard to make it.

You're probably right, most footballers live a normal life. The few muppets would still be muppets whatever job they did.

It us nice to hear pretty universal praise for Al Habsi being a decent person though. I think it was Brian last season who described him as a wonderful human being.