Summer Rebuild 2016/2017

[Sutekh]

Still after a striker:

With Wednesday’s 11pm deadline looming large, they do not have much time to find a replacement - but getreading understands the club are working hard on other targets.

They are currently exploring two options, one is a loan deal while the other is a permanent. Talks are at an early stage but those behind the scenes are confident of beating tomorrow’s deadline.

That there HRK fancies himself as a striker and he's available

[3points]

Still after a striker:

With Wednesday’s 11pm deadline looming large, they do not have much time to find a replacement - but getreading understands the club are working hard on other targets.

They are currently exploring two options, one is a loan deal while the other is a permanent. Talks are at an early stage but those behind the scenes are confident of beating tomorrow’s deadline.

That there HRK fancies himself as a striker and he's available

Many a true word spoken in jest, and all that

[RoyalJones]

As long as we sign another striker though I will be happy, if not, we're going to struggle

Don't go to many games then?

Season ticket holder since 2005/06

[LWJ]

As long as we sign another striker though I will be happy, if not, we're going to struggle

Don't go to many games then?

Season ticket holder since 2005/06

I will rephrase. Been to many games this season/end of last?

[RichTea94]

Charles Watts saying there'll be no additions tonight.

[Winston Smith]

QPR just confirmed they turned down a loan request from us for Connor Washington

[RoyalJones]

Don't go to many games then?

Season ticket holder since 2005/06

I will rephrase. Been to many games this season/end of last?

Yep, all the home ones anyway, we'll do just fine because everyone can chip in but we'd do even better with a proven goalscorer

[RoyalJones]

Wrote a little piece for this website on which positions we should be recruiting in, in the January transfer window: http://www.entirelyfootball.co.uk/reading-january/

I talk about the need for an experienced centre back, a left back (if we change to a 5 at the back again), an attacking midfielder or two and a striker.

Of course, this is just my opinion, anyone else have any thoughts on this?

[Nameless]

Don't see us needing 5 players. I suspect if we changed half the team we'd struggle to make the playoffs.
Assuming no one leaves I can't see why we would need more midfielders, two left backs should be adequate as well.
If we could get a utility defender on a loan deal as cover then it might be handy - is Ian Harte still around ? Would be ideal !
A striker would be nice, but exceptionally hard to find for sensible money.
So I would say 2 players are all we really need.
Of course we may stumble on a bargain deal too good to turn down in any position....

[Royalwaster]

Wrote a little piece for this website on which positions we should be recruiting in, in the January transfer window: http://www.entirelyfootball.co.uk/reading-january/

I talk about the need for an experienced centre back, a left back (if we change to a 5 at the back again), an attacking midfielder or two and a striker.

Of course, this is just my opinion, anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Not sure many ;experienced centre backs' will want to join 'just as cover'.

[royalp-we]

I think we are very strong on both wings, from fbs through to attack.

I'd like to see us bring an experienced player in, like when we brought in J Roberts.

It's left field and will be laughed off by many, but free agent Michael Essien is looking for a club and has been allowed to keep his fitness with Chelsea over at Cobham. The likes of Evans and Kelly, possibly Moore, Watson & Gunter would learn loads from the guy.

I'd also like us to try and get Grabban from Bournemouth.

In an ideal world 'an all that

[NewCorkSeth]

I think we are very strong on both wings, from fbs through to attack.

I'd like to see us bring an experienced player in, like when we brought in J Roberts.

It's left field and will be laughed off by many, but free agent Michael Essien is looking for a club and has been allowed to keep his fitness with Chelsea over at Cobham. The likes of Evans and Kelly, possibly Moore, Watson & Gunter would learn loads from the guy.

I'd also like us to try and get Grabban from Bournemouth.

In an ideal world 'an all that

The happiest man in football is a free agent? Would have thought there would be a good few suitors for him!

[Crowbar6753]

The squad has real harmony at the moment and i feel that a striker and left back and that would be job done....if anything else, then maybe off load Cooper as he really doesn't seem to fit into Big Jaaps style of play and bring in a young talented defender or loanee if theirs one willing to come as cover, the Gooners must have one available lol.
I like the idea of Lewis Grabben, and maybe 3 mil would get him, was linked on transfer deadline day. Still would like a punt on Omar Boogle of Grimsby and should be able to get him for less than a million...

[Ian Royal]

The squad has real harmony at the moment and i feel that a striker and left back and that would be job done....if anything else, then maybe off load Cooper as he really doesn't seem to fit into Big Jaaps style of play and bring in a young talented defender or loanee if theirs one willing to come as cover, the Gooners must have one available lol.
I like the idea of Lewis Grabben, and maybe 3 mil would get him, was linked on transfer deadline day. Still would like a punt on Omar Boogle of Grimsby and should be able to get him for less than a million...

If you want young talent to replace Cooper, why look any further than Rob Dickie or Dom Hyam? Or Jules and McIntyre for that matter.

Striker and replacements for long term injuries / leavers please.

[Nameless]

WOuld agree that Dickie or Hyam deserve a chance.
McIntyre has a long term injury so isn't a contender, and is too young anyway IMHO although a real talent.

[K.URZ13]

I think all our attention should be on recruiting a striker.

Blackett had a good game against Norwich, along with Obita, that's the left back spot sorted. I also agree with the posters saying Hyam and Dickie deserve a chance as CB cover.

[Nameless]

If we are playing with one striker then we've got 4 options without dipping into the u23 options.
You could argue we should be considering Rakells and Meite as new signings....

[Ian Royal]

If we are playing with one striker then we've got 4 options without dipping into the u23 options.
You could argue we should be considering Rakells and Meite as new signings....

The problem is the four we have require improvement.

Kermorgant adds plenty but simply doesn't score enough. Samuel isn't well suited to the role and has simply done ok, Rakelss is coming back from major injury and has a bit of promise, but doesn't seem a lone striker, Meite is very raw and possibly more of a wide forward and Mendes has met my expectation of being no help.

We've overbought on mediocrity / have left overs not suited to the system in abundance.

We want someone to make the position their own like Al-Habsi, Moore, Swift and McCleary have in their own slots.

[Sutekh]

We want a striker who brings what Kermorgant brings but with some real pace about them.

[Platypuss]

Not sure where was best to put this, but the BBC has done an analysis of transfer rumour veracity:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37975118