The 2017/18 season preview/expectation and build up thread

[Top Flight]

Also, how is Cardiff and Bristol the same distance?

Google maps suggests

Madejski Stadium - Cardiff City FC = 112 miles one way = 224 return (same as GR)
Madejski Stadium - Bristol City FC = 84 miles one way = 168 return

Either they have based this off of some dodgy expense claims submitted by Charlie Watts/ Jonathan Low or they have just balled up using google maps and/or excel or whatever.

I think it is dodgy expense claims. I always knew Jonathon Low is no good.

[John Smith]

At least we can all discount QPR from this list as we know full well it'll be on Sky

[Sutekh]

£60 million loaned to the club

I presume it'll be used to largely cover the debt but hopefully will also mean the Jaap can feel assured about what he wants to do with the squad

http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport ... b_coffers/

[CountryRoyal]

£60 million loaned to the club

I presume it'll be used to largely cover the debt but hopefully will also mean the Jaap can feel assured about what he wants to do with the squad

http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport ... b_coffers/

Surely it just means the debt is transferred, and until someone is willing to completely write it off it isn't going anywhere.

[bobby1413]

GR days distances based on google maps.

Sums up that fcking shit excuse for a website that they can't even type in "Reading to <other place>" and make a note of the distance.

[Sutekh]

http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport ... _contract/

The Reading Chronicle producing some really good articles this week

So basically the club are waiting for Jaap to get back from his family break when the new owners will get down to the business of offering him a new deal and finalising what sort of support he can expect for the playing side.

Then Reading's preseason build up will officially commence.

[CountryRoyal]

Not entirely convinced we should be offering a new straight away.

Good start to next season then yeah sure.

[Lower West]

Let's see how the transfer window goes. Willams looks a goner. So the squad needs a couple of experienced midfield additions. Also need more firepower.

[Sutekh]

Seems the FL were upset about having their competition's integrity called into doubt following "Huddersgate" when David Wagner changed the Huddersfield team selection to "rest" players and thus triggered a lot of complaint from other struggling clubs when Birmingham easily won the match.

As a result the FL are looking to bring in a rule change that will kick in with effect from the fourth Thursday in March, and run for the remainder of the season, stating that all clubs must field teams with minimum changes to the last game. i.e. the league will set a figure, e.g. 4, that means teams are not allowed to make more that number of changes to the side selected to start the previous game.

It is up for approval in September and has a number of clubs backing it

Like to see them try that in competitions where PL clubs are involved.

[NewCorkSeth]

Seems the FL were upset about having their competition's integrity called into doubt following "Huddersgate" when David Wagner changed the Huddersfield team selection to "rest" players and thus triggered a lot of complaint from other struggling clubs when Birmingham easily won the match.

As a result the FL are looking to bring in a rule change that will kick in with effect from the fourth Thursday in March, and run for the remainder of the season, stating that all clubs must field teams with minimum changes to the last game. i.e. the league will set a figure, e.g. 4, that means teams are not allowed to make more that number of changes to the side selected to start the previous game.

It is up for approval in September and has a number of clubs backing it

Like to see them try that in competitions where PL clubs are involved.

Has Arsene Wenger ever played a full strength side in the cups?

[John Smith]

Watch out for Derby County this year. Heard it here first

[genome]

Watch out for Derby County this year. Heard it here first

And every other season for the past five years or so

[John Smith]

Watch out for Derby County this year. Heard it here first

And every other season for the past five years or so

No but this year is different - Rowett is a boy

[The Informant]

Watch out for Derby County this year. Heard it here first

And every other season for the past five years or so

No but this year is different - Rowett is a boy

As apposed to a girl?

[John Smith]

And every other season for the past five years or so

No but this year is different - Rowett is a boy

As apposed to a girl?

No, as opposed to a fraud. Nigel Adkins or Pep Guardiola, for example.

[Hound]

No but this year is different - Rowett is a boy

As apposed to a girl?

No, as opposed to a fraud. Nigel Adkins or Pep Guardiola, for example.

Sure they'll be top ten but other than that not sure

They have just turned down 7.2 mill for Ince from Hudds. Confused me that - why are they trying to sign him, and why would you turn down that offer?

[Royal_jimmy]

Didn't Derby pay far more than that like £9M for Ince? Still that's good money for an overrated player

[tidus_mi2]

Didn't Derby pay far more than that like £9M for Ince? Still that's good money for an overrated player

£4.75m, is £9m overrated in the current market? He is a very capable, goal-scoring winger at this level. He has question marks on whether he can cut it in the Prem after two previous poor seasons but he was still quite young when he was last in the Premier League.

[John Smith]

Sure they'll be top ten but other than that not sure

They have just turned down 7.2 mill for Ince from Hudds. Confused me that - why are they trying to sign him, and why would you turn down that offer?

My logic behind it is Rowett got a very average Birmingham side to the playoff positions last year, and Derby have a better side on paper. With time to evaluate at the end of last season and a full summer to sort it out I think he'll have them looking like the real deal. I could be wrong of course, but I rarely am.

[Top Flight]

Sure they'll be top ten but other than that not sure

They have just turned down 7.2 mill for Ince from Hudds. Confused me that - why are they trying to sign him, and why would you turn down that offer?

My logic behind it is Rowett got a very average Birmingham side to the playoff positions last year, and Derby have a better side on paper. With time to evaluate at the end of last season and a full summer to sort it out I think he'll have them looking like the real deal. I could be wrong of course, but I rarely am.

At the moment I think Reading, Derby, Fulham, Boro and possibly Hull look like real contenders. Sheffield Wednesday should be play offs again if they keep the manager and keep trying to improve. Norwich may make a push from the outside as may Villa. I can't see it with Villa myself. But Bruce is a good manager so they have a chance. Birmingham could be a dark horse. I think they might lack the quality at the moment to break the top 6 but Harry is a top manager who seems to be like a magnet when it comes to attracting top quality players so by August the 5th they could be a strong side. Warnock can get the best out of any team so if he is able to get the right players then Cardiff have an outside chance of being top 6 too. Some too have mentioned Sheffield Utd. I can't see them having enough to be top 6 though. Millwall and Bolton will be good enough to stay in the division I feel but nothing more than that.

It's going to be interesting. The question is, can we bring players in that are actually better than what we already have. And the other question is, what do we actually need to strengthen up our team?

One poster said we need a midfield general and an attacking midfielder. But Danny Williams (if he stays) is as good a general as anyone out there and Swifty is a very decent attacking midfielder. As is Liam Kelly if he plays that role. Often Kelly plays deeper though and gets things moving in front of the defence.

Can we realistically get a better winger than GMAC or Beerens?

Can we improve on our defence?

I think we should put all our efforts in to signing a really fast top drawer striker. Someone really special up front. For me, that is all we need. I don't think we need anyone else. Unless of course Williams goes or if a player becomes signable that would seriously improve on one of the first teamers in our squad. Other than that, let's just put all our eggs in one basket and go for a brilliant striker. If we have to let's go all in with the £60,000,000 Chinese loan. Let's put it all on the table and get Gareth Bale or Cristiano Ronaldo.