The squad in July

[Snowflake Royal]

Casadei, whilst clearly a good player, didn’t really help us much though did he? One goal and no assists in 15 games. I’m guessing we didn’t win any of those either.

Didn’t help us control games, didn’t help us be more creative, midfield was still weak with him in it

None of that means he won’t end up being a top player but his impact was very minimal

He contributed more than Jeff tbf.

Talk about low bar…

Who was an upgrade on Drinkwater

[Clyde1998]

So with Mbengue in our first-team squad is currently (likely to be):

GKs: Andresson; Bouzanis; CBC (tbc)
RBs: Yiadom; Abrefa
LBs: NGW; John Clarke
CBs: Holmes, Mbengue, McIntyre, Dorsett/Abbey
CMs/DMs: Hutchinson; Craig; Senga
AMs/WMs: Azeez; Camara; Ejaria; Knibbs; Hoilett (tbc)
STs: Carroll; Ehib; Smith; Jahmari Clark (tbc)

Certainly still need at least two CMs (Amos and/or Adeniran would definitely be first team level), other positions really depend on how close the younger players are determined to be from League One football. I think 3-6 more players, not including the players we haven't announced contract extensions for, will be needed for a play-off push.

[Hound]

Jahmari is under contract just injured

[WestYorksRoyal]

So with Mbengue in our first-team squad is currently (likely to be):

GKs: Andresson; Bouzanis; CBC (tbc)
RBs: Yiadom; Abrefa
LBs: NGW; John Clarke
CBs: Holmes, Mbengue, McIntyre, Dorsett/Abbey
CMs/DMs: Hutchinson; Craig; Senga
AMs/WMs: Azeez; Camara; Ejaria; Knibbs; Hoilett (tbc)
STs: Carroll; Ehib; Smith; Jahmari Clark (tbc)

Certainly still need at least two CMs (Amos and/or Adeniran would definitely be first team level), other positions really depend on how close the younger players are determined to be from League One football. I think 3-6 more players, not including the players we haven't announced contract extensions for, will be needed for a play-off push.

Mbengue was originally signed as a CM. Will be interesting to see if he features there.

[TiagoIlori]

A solid but unspectacular season awaits given the squad we have right now I think. Fear it’s too late in pre season for Selles to work with a squad properly so I hope unless he’s doing particularly badly that he is given time.

[Royal Ginger]

A solid but unspectacular season awaits given the squad we have right now I think. Fear it’s too late in pre season for Selles to work with a squad properly so I hope unless he’s doing particularly badly that he is given time.

I think we’re still very much relegation fodder as of right now. It’s been a nice couple of days but the squad still has under 12s as backups for some positions. Push on like this for another week or so and we may get to unspectacular and solid but I feel we’re a way off that yet.

[Hound]

I think we look fairly strong. Obvs need another set of players in but upper mid at the moment

The u23s we have are absolutely fine as back up. They are 20/21 not 17

Selles will have been working with the squad for ages

[WestYorksRoyal]

I think with a week to go, we should reassess expectations based upon who comes through the door before then. But, right now, I see us building a team that can improve together and put in some performances to bring the feel good factor back. I'm not expecting an instant return to the Championship, but I could see a 3 year cycle and ultimately a promotion with a team ready to take to the Championship, as we saw in 2002.

[NathStPaul]

We are certainly in a position now where we can rule out any talk of League 1 relegation next season, as it is we have a squad capable of finishing top half. With 5 or 6 more additions we will be title contenders.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

We will be in and around the play off positions I think. A few more signings need to be made, especially in the middle of the park, but we will be ok. Might take us a bit to get going, or for what it's worth we might get off to a blinding start, we just don't know yet.

Ultimately depends how many players we still end up bringing in. We will be a fair way into the season by the time the window shuts, so still plenty of time to see who comes, who goes etc. Judging by Selles' comments though, we still need a number of players to come in.

[Snowflake Royal]

I think we look fairly strong. Obvs need another set of players in but upper mid at the moment

The u23s we have are absolutely fine as back up. They are 20/21 not 17

Selles will have been working with the squad for ages

Not convinced on that last bit. If I was him there's no way I'd have been working for free.

Couldn't be given a contract or paid.

[Hound]

I think we look fairly strong. Obvs need another set of players in but upper mid at the moment

The u23s we have are absolutely fine as back up. They are 20/21 not 17

Selles will have been working with the squad for ages

Not convinced on that last bit. If I was him there's no way I'd have been working for free.

Couldn't be given a contract or paid.

He was at training at Bearwood and in Spain. So at least 3-4 weeks

[NathStPaul]

The smell of BO and virginity at this event will be off the charts.

https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2023/j ... -sale-now/

[Sutekh]

The smell of BO and virginity at this event will be off the charts.

https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2023/j ... -sale-now/

What's the betting, an evening with the Hoosiers and Sam Smith?

[Brogue]

I am reliably informed the special guest is Jordon Mutch

[Hound]

The smell of BO and virginity at this event will be off the charts.

https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2023/j ... -sale-now/

Excellent. Will see you in there

[WestYorksRoyal]

I think we look fairly strong. Obvs need another set of players in but upper mid at the moment

The u23s we have are absolutely fine as back up. They are 20/21 not 17

Selles will have been working with the squad for ages

Not convinced on that last bit. If I was him there's no way I'd have been working for free.

Couldn't be given a contract or paid.

You would want to do everything to maximise your chances of success. But there may have been concerns about the home office if he de facto started working without his work permit. Surely it could land us in trouble? I believe he was more observing things rather than working, probably for that reason.

[Sutekh]

I think we look fairly strong. Obvs need another set of players in but upper mid at the moment

The u23s we have are absolutely fine as back up. They are 20/21 not 17

Selles will have been working with the squad for ages

Not convinced on that last bit. If I was him there's no way I'd have been working for free.

Couldn't be given a contract or paid.

You would want to do everything to maximise your chances of success. But there may have been concerns about the home office if he de facto started working without his work permit. Surely it could land us in trouble? I believe he was more observing things rather than working, probably for that reason.

He was on his hols and just happened to be staying at Bearwood at the time that the Reading squad turned up.

[Pepe the Horseman]

The smell of BO and virginity at this event will be off the charts.

https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2023/j ... -sale-now/

600 people apologising and staring at their feet when Dai comes out.

[The Royal Forester]

A solid but unspectacular season awaits given the squad we have right now I think. Fear it’s too late in pre season for Selles to work with a squad properly so I hope unless he’s doing particularly badly that he is given time.

I think we’re still very much relegation fodder as of right now. It’s been a nice couple of days but the squad still has under 12s as backups for some positions. Push on like this for another week or so and we may get to unspectacular and solid but I feel we’re a way off that yet.

Good grief. We really are scraping the bottom of the barrel aren't we? Under 12's as back up. That will be our (as well the league's) youngest player to play in a match!