STEPHEN HUNT - IS HIS TIME UP?

[Maguire]

If Hunt has Spurs trying to sign him, he would be rather silly, imo, not to take the money and move on.

Too right. Great move for him.

[Platypuss]

But there is absolutely no need for Hunt to roll the dice at this stage as there is nothing to suggest that his value will have waned by the summer and he could, it seems, have gone to Wigan who are as good as safe.

How about the chance of a serious injury between now and May?

[readingbedding]

Steve Coppell has rubbished weekend stories linking Stephen Hunt with a move away from Reading.

The Republic of Ireland international has a £5million get-out clause in his contract and Premier League clubs Wigan Athletic were reported to have made a bid, while Spurs and Everton are both thought to be interested in him.

But Royals boss told the Evening Post this morning: “Stephen Hunt’s situation is exactly the same as it was last summer. There has been no official contact from anyone.

“To be fair to him, he has made his desires known, but he fully realises that he has a challenge here and he is fully committed to that challenge.”

Two other Royals midfielders have also been the subject of transfer speculation.

James Harper has been linked with a switch to Fulham following Jimmy Bullard’s move to Hull City, while out-of-favour Bobby Convey could be set for a return to the United States.

Leroy Lita was subject of a bid from Championship rivals Sheffield United, but the striker snubbed a move to Bramall Lane.

And Coppell is still hoping to keep his Championship title-chasing squad together.

He said: “At this stage of the transfer window there is always speculation, but there has been nothing official.

“I have had one phone call enquiring about a player, but that was all it was – a phone call asking about the situation. It was the sort of call I have probably made a dozen times in the last month. No one has bid anything for anyone.”

The transfer window closes at 5pm on Monday, after which clubs cannot sign new players until the close of the season.

When asked if he expects to lose anyone, Coppell said: “I don’t want to lose anyone, but you can just never tell what happens.

“And sometimes if it does happen, it can happen just like that. At the moment you have a lot of agents trying to generate business because if they do that then they make money. There are a lot of if-and-but scenarios, but no-one has come to me asking to buy one of my players.”

Royals, who paid £300,000 to Coventry for Jay Tabb last week, are looking to make one more new signing. Portsmouth’s versatile defender Hermann Hreidarsson is wanted by

Coppell although Pompey seem reluctant to sell, while Barnsley’s Jamal Campbell-Ryce could arrive if Hunt departs.

Coppell is now preparing his side for tomorrow night’s top-of-the-table clash at home to Wolves (8pm kick-off).

Reading remain second in the Championship table after third-placed Birmingham lost 2-0 at Blackpool on Saturday.

Hal Robson-Kanu has joined Swindon Town on a month’s loan deal, while Oliver Bozanic has gone to Woking Town and Danny Spence has joined Salisbury.

[Hoop Blah]

Given that two of those seasons were in the top flight and Tottenham fans still talk about how he ripped them to pieces in at least one fixture, being the best player on the pitch that day and, he has more assists than any other Championship player this season, I would say the need is more than significant.

I can't believe your using the BBC 606 forum as a reliable source of Spurs fans opinions!!!

[Woodcote Royal]

What makes it any less reliable than any other fans' forum, including this one (where the deluded still refuse to accept Hunts obvious and significant contribution whilst worshipping Lita for 2 goals in 2 years )

[BR2]

Spurs already have their own version of Hunt in O'Hara, why would they pay 5mil for a replica? All huff and puff but no consistent quality.

Go check the stats.

What stats?
I think O'Hara has only played in The Premier League and IMHO is a better version of Hunt.
For many reasons I will be truly amazed (and I don't even get mildly amazed about much in life) if Spurs want him.
As for Everton Pienaar is miles better and they have no money to waste on somebody like Hunt.

[Woodcote Royal]

But there is absolutely no need for Hunt to roll the dice at this stage as there is nothing to suggest that his value will have waned by the summer and he could, it seems, have gone to Wigan who are as good as safe.

How about the chance of a serious injury between now and May?

In which case, surely he would have signed on the dotted line at Wigan.

[Woodcote Royal]

Spurs already have their own version of Hunt in O'Hara, why would they pay 5mil for a replica? All huff and puff but no consistent quality.

Go check the stats.

What stats?
I think O'Hara has only played in The Premier League and IMHO is a better version of Hunt.
For many reasons I will be truly amazed (and I don't even get mildly amazed about much in life) if Spurs want him.
As for Everton Pienaar is miles better and they have no money to waste on somebody like Hunt.

I was talking about Hunt stats, which show him as the best left sided option outside the Prem, where you get £30m for coming bottom, making £5m one step up from chicken feed for a player with his record.

[Ian Royal]

He can't if they don't bid, and that is two fairly categorical denials of a bid from them from us now.

[Hoop Blah]

What makes it's any less reliable than any other fans forum, including this one (where the deluded still refuse to accept Hunts obvious and significant contribution whilst worshipping Lita for 2 goals in 2 years )

The few times I've ever looked at those 606 sites its a lot worse than the likes of HNA and is full of kids and wannabe keyboard warriors and you get very little informed discussion on there.

It's like a combination of tabloid culture, the playground and the worst kind of 'armchair fan in the office' all moulded into one. Like the rivals network it's not helped by the fact that its so closely linked to opposition forums which means a lot of junk gets banded about.

At least on places like NHA, KUMB, Spurscommunity (I think thats the one proper Spurs fans I know use) etc you get proper fans who've actually been to games and appreciate what football means oevr and above MoTD and Soccer Am!

[boy1985]

I'm not doubting his performances and stats in the championship, although of course we are one of the top sides in the league so with better players around him he will inevitably have better stats. My point is he is not good enough to play for a side like Tottenham or Everton. Don't get me wrong I'd rather he stayed and we move on but the fact is he wants out and 5mil is a fair price. I think Wigan seems the more likely option, but then again they have just signed Watson for 2mil who although unproven at that level shows more promise of improving than Hunt does IMO. I just hope if someone does want him they make a move sooner rather than later so we don't miss out on a replacement.

[Woodcote Royal]

What makes it's any less reliable than any other fans forum, including this one (where the deluded still refuse to accept Hunts obvious and significant contribution whilst worshipping Lita for 2 goals in 2 years )

The few times I've ever looked at those 606 sites its a lot worse than the likes of HNA and is full of kids and wannabe keyboard warriors and you get very little informed discussion on there.

It's like a combination of tabloid culture, the playground and the worst kind of 'armchair fan in the office' all moulded into one. Like the rivals network it's not helped by the fact that its so closely linked to opposition forums which means a lot of junk gets banded about.

At least on places like NHA, KUMB, Spurscommunity (I think thats the one proper Spurs fans I know use) etc you get proper fans who've actually been to games and appreciate what football means oevr and above MoTD and Soccer Am!

There are many worse fans forums than 606 and I'd certainly place KUMB in that category

[Sun Tzu]

, although of course we are one of the top sides in the league so with better players around him he will inevitably have better stats.

A more charitable view would be that given the high level of stats Hunt achieves we will inevitably be one of the top sides. Unless you meant that Coppell deliberately choses to select a sub standard player just so the stats can get fluked ?


My point is he is not good enough to play for a side like Tottenham or Everton. [/quote]


He was good enough to play for a team in the top 8 of the Prem, something at least one of those look unlikely to achieve this season. So is he not good enough to play for them because of some 'historical' reason ?

[jollyjiminy]

I like Hunty: he can be a bit frustrating, but partly that's down to lack of quality support down the middle, and I haven't totally forgiven him for his missing a couple of sitters against Blackburn, which would've kept Reading in the PL. However, he's easily good enough for Spurs and the Republic of Ireland, and having watched Spurs against Man United, failing to challenge in the ManU box, I can see that he's exactly the sort of player that they need tbh.

[boy1985]

, although of course we are one of the top sides in the league so with better players around him he will inevitably have better stats.

A more charitable view would be that given the high level of stats Hunt achieves we will inevitably be one of the top sides. Unless you meant that Coppell deliberately choses to select a sub standard player just so the stats can get fluked ?


My point is he is not good enough to play for a side like Tottenham or Everton.

He was good enough to play for a team in the top 8 of the Prem, something at least one of those look unlikely to achieve this season. So is he not good enough to play for them because of some 'historical' reason ?[/quote]

I'm not saying Hunt is sub standard or even that he can't play in the premiership, he was arguably our best player last season. I'd love him to stay, i have no problem the majority of his performances this season I just think we can get someone equally as good for cheaper if he were to go. My point with stats is if you are passing to players like Doyle all season your stats are going to look better than if the same player was passing to a worse striker so you can't always read too much into them. Teams like Tottenham and Everton require more than just hard work they also have to have the composure and technical ability I don't think Hunt has. I actually think Hunt would improve the Spurs team as they are now but that's hardly a compliment.

[Mr Angry]

Certain posters are making certain assumptions here, the first of which is that Wigan made a £5M bid for SHunt.

The next assumption is that Hunt turned down the chance to join Wigan.

The next is that he is waiting for Spurs to come in for him.

Finally, there is the assumption that Spurs WILL come in for him.

Anyone else spot the flaw in this thread??

As I understand it, Steve Coppell has publically stated that we have NOT received a bid from Wigan, or indeed, anyone else, for SHunt.

If there is one word that can describe Coppell, its integrity; he has no need to lie and I for one, believe him 100% when he says we haven't received a bid for SHunt.

Therefore, the rest of the speculation is based on a previous piece of speculation that has been rubbished by RFC.

I would be prepared to wager £1 at evens that SHunt won't leave RFC in this transfer window.

[Sun Tzu]

As I understand it, Steve Coppell has publically stated that we have NOT received a bid from Wigan, or indeed, anyone else, for SHunt.

If there is one word that can describe Coppell, its integrity; he has no need to lie and I for one, believe him 100% when he says we haven't received a bid for SHunt.

.

He's actually said we've had no OFFICIAL bid, but that we have had one 'sounding out' telephone call for a player he doesn't name. The Lita 'bid' was all a bit confused by terminology and it's not impossible that Wigan have phoned up, chatted about the possibility of a bid but then been told by Hunt's agent that there would be no point in making one....

Although we could speculate otherwise !!

[Hoop Blah]

As I understand it, Steve Coppell has publically stated that we have NOT received a bid from Wigan, or indeed, anyone else, for SHunt.

If there is one word that can describe Coppell, its integrity; he has no need to lie and I for one, believe him 100% when he says we haven't received a bid for SHunt.

.

He's actually said we've had no OFFICIAL bid, but that we have had one 'sounding out' telephone call for a player he doesn't name. The Lita 'bid' was all a bit confused by terminology and it's not impossible that Wigan have phoned up, chatted about the possibility of a bid but then been told by Hunt's agent that there would be no point in making one....

Although we could speculate otherwise !!

Exactly Sun Tzu. Coppell may not actually lie but he often bends the truth or is very careful with the way he phrases things to deny something when it may actually have happened a slightly different way.

He's changed his story over Lita's training attitude and performance, but you have to take a lot of what anyone says in football as they know it's going to be over analysed or sensationalised so they have to watch what they say.

[No Hoops]

If the Club has had only one phone call about "A player" this would indicate that Hunts agent is not banding him about. Hopefully.............Is that more speculation.

Roll on tomorrow night so I can at least watch some football rather than talk and read about it.

[PieEater]

If the Club has had only one phone call about "A player" this would indicate that Hunts agent is not banding him about..

I think the opposite is probably true, that these phantom bids are all in the agents mind in order to get Hunty the move he wants and the agent a tidy commission. Coppell almost says as much, it's the agent stiring things up.