Sutekh And do we have 100% proof that Reading had loan agreements where the loan players had to play if fit or is it just random dribblings trying to make sense of why Paul Ince kept picking certain players? Can I remind you all that the manager at the time the teams were selected was Paul Ince, someone who, while not statistically the worst ever Reading manager, certainly felt like he was at the time.
I'd say circumstancial evidence suggests its a thing.
1. One of the charges against the club was around not paying Loan fees - some online chatter being a disagreement regarding being 'fit to play'
2. Hendrick played despite form dipping
3. Cesare played from the get go, ( I know he was good, but Ince rarely gave youngsters a chance otherwise).
So not being in the business or ITK, but of all the wild stuff bandied about regarding football, this is one of the more believable.
makes sense for the loaning club, especially if they have power, to insist on game time for their player.
Doesn't mean it's right