Had McAnuff...

While I wallowed in tremendous amounts of self-pity after another night on a bender (well, I'm making the most of my last year at university), I couldn't imagine what was about to come.

A stylish Reading win and more importantly, a clean sheet. It's a Christmas miracle.

Sheffield Wednesday are certainly no mugs and Hillsborough is not an easy place to pick up three points. And Reading, how the current season is going, could have crumbled up there like a Tesco value digestive.

However the Royals' resurgence has given new-found optimism, for the fans and the players are believing again.

I've never warmed that much to Jobi McAnuff in the past and when he signed I rolled my eyes thinking its a poor man's Tommy Smith. The past month has seen something quite different from the winger. He's taken the game by the scruff of its neck and created momentum.

McAnuff's goals has been as valuable as ever and the big tree that stands up front (Gregorz Rasiak) has, gladly, taken advantage of his sublime crossing and scored a few himself.

Brendan Rodgers knew that this team could play like this and its a testament to him that he carried on insisting on playing football, rather than lumping it up like most teams in this division. The second goal against Wednesday showed that with a great passing move and a fine finish from Kalifa Cisse. Goal of the season so far.

The defensive display could be explained by Cisse as well. He's the first real holding player weve had there for a while and gave Alex Pearce and Ivar Ingimarsson some cover that had been missing.

Marek Matejovsky, then, has a licence to roam and link play in a more direct manner, something that was restricted with Brian Howard in the team.

The last five games have a been a vast improvement, let it continue. I want to be jolly this Christmas.

Back in the Big Time

I have never been that excited for a FA Cup draw before, number 32 is what we wanted to come out.

I was thinking, hoping, for a home tie and not really bothering who well play. However as time passed, Liverpool and Manchester United were still there and GET IN! We have Liverpool in the cup.

Four years ago we had never played them and now we've met four times in the league and scored in two high scoring games in the League Cup but now we can complete a welcomed trio. I have no idea what is Brendan Rodgers view on the cup, if it's like his predecessor he would welcome the competition like a parent would welcome a teenage pregnancy.

God bless Steve Coppell but cup competitions were of no interest to him, much like John Oster. But for the fans, it's something to get excited about. The last minute drama against Barnsley in the League Cup was certainly exciting and in the end punishable, the cruelty of letting in that very last minute goal was unforgivable but hey ho! Onwards and upwards.
Memories

But now it's Liverpool, LIVERPOOL! Any Reading fan who do not have that incredibly famous 3-1 win against the Reds embedded in their heads cant be good fans at all.

We beat Liverpool, sadly enough I spent part of my afternoon today watching the game on DVD. Wow! We were good and it was Liverpool's first defeat of the season as well, it was such good football. Stephen Hunt's penalty, Kevin Doyle's glancing header and James Harper, that's right HARPER, sneaking through to score a fine third. It was emotional.

As we have being struggling this season, this will come as a welcomed boost for the players and none of them except Brynjar Gunnarsson, Ivar Ingimarsson and Kalife Cisse briefly, played that day, so it will give this new crop of young talent the chance to prove they are worthy to play against the five time European champions.

This may just act as a catalyst to spur on Reading and start playing to our potential, which is definitely top eight of the Championship. Rodgers please, please give us a day to remember.

BBC take notice

I came across this very interesting article about Alex Pearce and ensure that it is worth a read.

Click Here.

Marek the magician

All hail Marek Matejovsky! The saviour of a dying season. The man who put faith back into the fans. The player that provides the little spark to ignite Reading's motionless engine. The King of Madejski, well for the last two games at least.

The Czech Republic international has already showed more flare and creativity than any other centre midfielder this term and his quality is vital if Reading are going to have a somewhat successful season.

He wasn't favoured by Brendan Rodgers to begin with and injury prevented him having an active influence, but now he's narrowing back to full match fitness his impact will become even more significant.

Against Leicester City, a game that Reading should have never had lost, he was instrumental to everything good the Royals did and fully deserved his man of the match award. It just shows what a little bit of class can do and how it can have a positive impact on the rest of the team.

Suddenly confidence is high and the win at Coventry was no accident. Just a fantastic pass can jeer up the team and especially a crowd. He's single-handedly lifted morale and installed supporters faith back into the team.

He is definitely the most naturally gifted player in the current squad and makes much of the squad look like dirty old average Sunday league players. And after some of the performances this season, you would have thought that was the case.

As reported in the local evening paper recently, Matejovsky expressed his desire to stay with the club and after the way he was treated earlier on in the season, its great that a player of his magnitude shows his commitment to the club.

Marek is definitely the Rolls Royce of Reading FC and an extended run in the team is a must.

Rodgers may just have to thank Matejovsky for saving his job.

Struggling to Score

Fortunes change very fast in football and not even the most pessimistic Reading fan - and there are plenty - could imagine that after 14 games we'd be stuck in the relegation zone.

Who would have thought it? The famously-coined Brendan's Babes are not performing the way everyone was expecting.

Rodgers was once again pleased with his team's endeavour, effort, and approach however - but ultimately rued a lack of luck and clinical finishing in front of goal for another defeat in a dismal home record.

But action is needed; a win is necessary. Before the game Rodgers spoke realistically of play-offs but that may be a little out of reach now unless miracles begin to happen, like Shane Long finding his inner Kevin Doyle and contributing 20 goals. Well we can all dream can't we?

Previous seasons have seen Sunderland and Crystal Palace spring from positions like Reading's and to end up promoted so theres hope but not much to cling on to. Playing for survival is very depressing and perhaps we are all expecting too much.
Humility

A good friend of mine, a huge Tottenham fan, says that after the poor start to the season they endeavoured last season he went into every game expecting to get nothing and ultimately they turned it around; it's not about showing hope but showing humility.

Learn from defeat and make sure the mistakes are cut out and grow as a unit, which, the QPR game aside, we are doing. Last night was a perfect example of that.

The positive thing about the game was how well Reading were playing and it is the lack of quality up front that was missing. Two goals in seven home games is frankly laughable and that stat alone shows there is no home sweet home for the Royals.

My heart was in my mouth when Jobi McAnuff hit the post and the follow-up, I thought, was a dead cert goal but it was all false hope. Even when Simon Church was through a goal surely beckoned but again it was a similar outcome when the shot trickled wide. Church was getting plenty of chances and that's probably the most encouraging thing.

Invaluable

It was blatantly obvious that the return Marek 'Magic' Matejovsky gave Reading that little quality and control in midfield, he was able to pick adventurous passes and create opportunities. And it was good to see the return of Alex Pearce to the heart of the defence where his leadership skills prove invaluable.

Heading to Coventry City is where you expect at least a point, but for now, I insist that a draw will be a good result. Start small people! Then a potential six-pointer against Ipswich Town at the Mad Stad, it must be a game where three points are obtainable. Theres me getting carried away again, a draw would be a reasonable result.

No expectation, no disappointment. Unfortunately I tend to take that philosophy going out on the pull in Walkabout afterwards. Reading is, let's be honest, not the prettiest of towns.

Hunting for Goals

I do loathe the international break; its not my intention too but ultimately having most of your best players playing across Europe cannot do the club any good. And for Reading, well, a team in desperate form, an international break could be the worst thing that could have happened.

Having international players such as Noel Hunt, Marek Matejovsky, etc always adds to the prestige of the club but the sheer fact that the team is in such dire straits on the field at the moment they needed extra time to pull themselves from the utter mare they're currently having. They should be on the training pitch righting all of the wrongs that has been this season.

The defeat to Middlesbrough was a bad one; the game lacked any real imagination. Reading were poor. No, they were terrible. Boro should have run riot and a 2-0 defeat was, on reflection, a let-off. A rare cheer went up after 86 minutes when Hunt managed to get a shot on target.

Brendan Rodgers insists he's the man to drag us out of what he started and true to form, I believe him; he's no mug and he knows these players better than anyone does. He openly admitted that Reading were poor, not blaming the referee like a certain red-nosed old bloke in Manchester.
Hurdle

A home win is all that is needed. If that is achieved then the rest will follow with much ease, but it's getting over that first hurdle which has taken a lot longer than anticipated. We expected great football; I sincerely hope it will come soon.

A dip into the loan market would not go a miss with a striker that can actually find the back of the net the priority. Noel Hunt needs a partner; Simon Church is not prolific, Shane Long is absent for too much of the game and Grzegorz Rasiak is just useless. He's a panic buy if I have ever seen one.

Defensively Reading are sorted. Spoilt with good commanding centre halves, we can boast a solid backline: Ivar Ingimarsson, Darren O'Dea, Alex Pearce and Matt Mills are all top-notch. Ryan Bertrand is class and Shaun Cummings is slowly making more of an impact.

The midfield is fully of talent and some work needs to done to find out what is the best mock-up. For me, it has to be Jem Karacan plus two others. And with the international break who knows what injuries or mysterious illnesses could become apparent.

Nevertheless, an awkward trip to West Brom awaits and if they can beat Middlesbrough 5-0 away, we would be expecting a goal fest. I just hope Reading will be scoring at least one.

Should Reading sign a striker on loan? Is that home win the final piece of the jigsaw? Let us know what you think by filling in the feedback form below and we'll publish the best of your views.

Hunting for Goals

I do loathe the international break; its not my intention too but ultimately having most of your best players playing across Europe cannot do the club any good. And for Reading, well, a team in desperate form, an international break could be the worst thing that could have happened.

Having international players such as Noel Hunt, Marek Matejovsky, etc always adds to the prestige of the club but the sheer fact that the team is in such dire straits on the field at the moment they needed extra time to pull themselves from the utter mare they're currently having. They should be on the training pitch righting all of the wrongs that has been this season.

The defeat to Middlesbrough was a bad one; the game lacked any real imagination. Reading were poor. No, they were terrible. Boro should have run riot and a 2-0 defeat was, on reflection, a let-off. A rare cheer went up after 86 minutes when Hunt managed to get a shot on target.

Brendan Rodgers insists he's the man to drag us out of what he started and true to form, I believe him; he's no mug and he knows these players better than anyone does. He openly admitted that Reading were poor, not blaming the referee like a certain red-nosed old bloke in Manchester.
Hurdle

A home win is all that is needed. If that is achieved then the rest will follow with much ease, but it's getting over that first hurdle which has taken a lot longer than anticipated. We expected great football; I sincerely hope it will come soon.

A dip into the loan market would not go a miss with a striker that can actually find the back of the net the priority. Noel Hunt needs a partner; Simon Church is not prolific, Shane Long is absent for too much of the game and Grzegorz Rasiak is just useless. He's a panic buy if I have ever seen one.

Defensively Reading are sorted. Spoilt with good commanding centre halves, we can boast a solid backline: Ivar Ingimarsson, Darren O'Dea, Alex Pearce and Matt Mills are all top-notch. Ryan Bertrand is class and Shaun Cummings is slowly making more of an impact.

The midfield is fully of talent and some work needs to done to find out what is the best mock-up. For me, it has to be Jem Karacan plus two others. And with the international break who knows what injuries or mysterious illnesses could become apparent.

Nevertheless, an awkward trip to West Brom awaits and if they can beat Middlesbrough 5-0 away, we would be expecting a goal fest. I just hope Reading will be scoring at least one.

A New Era Magnificent 7

A lot can happen in a week. After a thrilling weekend rocking and raving at Reading Festival followed by a ‘lads’ week in Bulgaria, football kind of took a disappointing backseat in my agenda in the last week or so. English papers were hard to come by in Eastern Europe and I don’t think they’ve discovered internet yet, so I was thoroughly intrigued to see whether Reading had been able to improve their squad before deadline day on my return.

Straight on the internet, I go, what a wonderful thing it is, and I see James Harper and Liam Rosenior had both departed to rivals Sheffield United and Ipswich Town respectively on season long loans. What? I had to read again. These players were important ones in the last two years and practically releasing them can’t be good business for us, my only logic is that they were on heavy wages and the clubs that secured their signatures agreed to pay them.

Harper’s departure especially, was particularly baffling; he’s been at the club at nine years and has seen Reading through the complete transformation from struggling in League One to top half in the Premier League. Has he been denied a testimonial now? Who knows but the finest memory of Harper I have is after the 1-0 defeat against Tottenham when we were practically relegated he was the only player to give a lap of appreciation, well can’t really call it honour. That moment will stick to remind me what a character he was and how much he contributed to club and how much the club meant to him. For that, he will be fondly remembered.

In all honesty I was never a big fan of Harper as he normally runs around passing backwards for most of the game but handing him to Sheffield United is disappointing, I thought Wolves were interested and even though how much I dislike Wolves moving there would have been more satisfying.

It shows that Brendan Rodgers is getting rid of everything Coppell and bringing in his own stamp on the team. I understand the ‘new era new start’ motto but giving good players to local promotion rivals cannot make sense, can it?

The additions of Brian Howard, Shaun Cummings and Darren O’Dea on deadline day will strengthen the squad and we have potential three main first team players that could have significant impact for the rest of the season. I just hope these weren’t panic buys, something the club is not fond off after Tommy Burns’ hardly magnificent seven back in 1998.

A couple of weeks ago, Gzegrorz Rasiak and Jobi McAnuff joined Ryan Bertrand and Matt Mills, who were signed earlier on in the window, and we look to have substantial cover in most departments. I still believe we remain a quality striker shy of being ultimately competitive come the end of season but we should have enough in the bag to be on course for a playoff spot.

The seven players we signed back in 1998 on deadline day were Scott Howie, Robert Fleck, Stuart Gray, Jimmy Crawford, Paul Brayson, Jim McIntyre and Patrick Kelly and this group of players struggled to change a side on poor form and out of luck. I’m hoping this new crop of players will do a lot better.

I’m not saying we are in anywhere the dangers of yesteryear but the flurry of players entering the club is certainly a revelation. Does Rodgers believe the squad currently is good enough? Did he panic buy and only found some players available? How will these players adapt? and how long will it take them?

I’m not sure what to make of this signings. Cummings is 20 and for the future, Howard is still relatively young and adds some experience to a very young midfield. O’Dea I presume will act as cover across the back four. Rasiak is another option up front, something different; McAnuff will add competition for Jimmy Kebe and Hal Robson-Kanu. Mills and Bertrand are regulars at the back; so in all some good players have come through the door but is it a case for too much too soon? I hope they can gel as soon as possible.

Lessons Learnt

Well that was certainly an eventful weekend. The trip up there was long, and the performance was, in the end, disappointing. It wasn’t a weekend where Reading went to enjoy themselves but it was one where they were educated by brutal realisation that football in this division maybe harder than first expected.

Newcastle United, full of emotion, played outstanding and it’s a win they wholly deserved without question. Reading however, made it easy for them. Forever pumping long balls to an isolated Shane Long will never, ever work. Long started to sulk in the manner he approached the game and he clearly wasn’t enjoying himself or relishing playing this ‘lone’ striker role. It wasn’t until the introduction Noel Hunt that Long started to look himself again.

The defence looked as stable as a Katie Price relationship and had no answer for the power that was Shola Ameobi. The striker taught Alex Pearce many lessons with endless torments of physical presence and Ameobi, to his credit, took his goals very well. The defender may not come up against a more physical opponent this season, but if the case occurs, he may know how to handle it better next time around.

The midfield was completely overrun and even the enthusiasm of Jay Tabb and Scott Davies had no answer for the vastly Premier League experienced duo of Alan Smith and Kevin Nolan. They completely dominated proceedings and if the Magpies are able to keep them from joining average top-flight teams they would surely be a contender for automatic promotion.

Jem Karacan looked a tad nervous in front of a 36,000 crowd, as some wayward passing was very uncharacteristic of him. Perhaps the occasion got the better of him but as the game wore on, he improved and his passing had rhythm and purpose.

It was obvious that a very young Reading team would have days like this but the fact the team failed to perform, even slightly, as they did against Nottingham Forest is a cause for concern. The last time I remember Reading being completely out played and without any answer was probably the 2-0 defeat against Fulham at the Madejski.

Positively Brendan Rodgers praised the performance and the man does speak a lot of sense: "In the first half we were well in the game but went to sleep a couple of minutes before the first goal. Newcastle deserved to win the game but I am very proud of the young players, this is a great experience to come here. We will be better."

It was an experience for the youngsters and perhaps it was good to get these nerves out of the system early before it could matter at the end.

Trip to Newcastle

I woke up this morning with a slight spring in my step and thrill of football fever.

A trip to the Loony Toons awaits Reading and us loyal royals. The hotel is booked, the transport is ready and the beer’s are in the fridge so it’s set to be a spectacular weekend.

The last journey up there I endured delayed trains, rain and a comprehensive 3-0 defeat courtesy of Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins, and Mark Viduka under the leadership of Kevin Keegan. How times have changed?

From that starting XI for Reading only four remain, but only two can possibly feature this Saturday, which may be a concern. Andre Bikey is suspended for his foolish outburst at Burnley last season; Ivar Ingimarsson is injured so that leaves Liam Rosenior and James Harper who had played at St James’ Park. The fifth member could had been Stephen Hunt but he has now gladly got his wishes and entered the gateway of Hull.

The concern for the game is that our young players could become fazed with all of the attention and emotion surrounding the hysteria at Newcastle. Alternatively, on the other hand, they will relish the opportunity, perform above expectations, and record a famous win. I do hope it is the latter.

Newcastle has been a delicate place for the last few years and it’s been nothing short of a drama starring Robson Green, but Reading have the chance to lay down their early season credentials showing the league that they will not settle for mid-table.

It is anyone’s guess what the outcome will be. Nonetheless, with a little bit of optimism, Newcastle are there for the taking and, although it will be an emotional first competitive match since the death of Sir Bobby Robson, Reading will be a little too wise for the home side as they can dictate the pace play the way they want too.

On paper Newcastle should walk all over the Royals with players at their disposal: Nicky Butt, Steve Taylor, Damien Duff, Steve Harper, Fabricio Coloccini, Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith, Geremi, Jonas Gutierrez are all Premier League class but Reading will have the expertise to make them struggle in a new climate and we’ll give them a true welcoming to the Championship.

So Reading’s youngsters have the chance the portray their talents in front of the Sky Sports cameras, I do hope they put on a great show.

Prediction: Newcastle 0 – 3 Reading

Reading Youngsters Prove Worth

The performance was quite simply breathtaking; a burst of goals that coincided with some excellent football to make an all-enjoyable evening but many did miss it. The sea of blue seats was a little disheartening but the fans that turned up still made good voice and saw five top quality strikes in a comprehensive 5-1 win.

Although it was ‘only’ Burton Albion, Reading produced a fine display and it just goes to show what a hungry, young squad Brendan Rodgers has at his disposal. This little youngster Nicholas Bignall made his debut and what a debut it was. Not many can claim that they scored two for their hometown club within 9 minutes of the start.

Bignall’s took his goals brilliantly and his all round game was equally as impressive. He caused constant havoc, his speed and energy troubled Burton’s helpless defence, as they didn’t know how to handle him.

I’m sure Burton defenders would have loved some rope to tie him to the corner flag just to have a moment’s rest from his movement off the ball, he must have tried to cover every blade of grass. He was always an option and the midfield consisting of Marek Matejovsky, Gylfi Sigurdsson and James Harper loved picking him out, he chased everything.

Irish eyes must have been smiling over David Mooney; he took his two goals very well, one from an almost impossible angle, to show case his talents in front of new manager Rodgers and fans alike. There’s a fans’ favourite in the making here.

The crowd sung ‘Mooney, Mooney, Mooney, Mooney, Mooney, ahaha’ in a remediation of the Kaiser Chiefs ‘Ruby’, inspirational stuff and no doubt it’ll be heard again. I fancy it for a ringtone in all honesty.

What a cracking little player Sigurdsson is. Before last night’s performance, he seemed a little unhurried and a tad weak to dominate the midfield, but those thoughts are now forgotten.

His goal flew in and I couldn’t believe I missed it. Damn dehydration. However, having the luxury of Sky Sports News and Sky+ I was able to watch it over and over again and once more after that. What a sensational strike it was; Cristiano Ronaldo would be eating his heart out.

Sigurdsson is the youngster in Reading’s Iceland contingent and has fine role models and compatriots he can look up to in Brynjar Gunnarsson and Ivar Ingimarsson. No doubt he has been given guidance and understands what it takes to succeed at the Mad Stad and on this perform, his career certainly looks promising.

New signing Matthew Mills also made his debut and performed amicable alongside skipper Alex Pearce and this is possibly, and hopefully, Reading’ first choice centre back pairing for the season. Mills looked commanding and has a bit of pace about him; first signs are very encouraging.

Rodgers would have a learnt a little more about his side. Now a trip to Newcastle awaits us.

Sky Sports Taking an Interest

See posts here as well as on the Sky Sports Website!

Click HERE

First Sign Encouraging

Well it wasn’t the fairytale beginning of an exciting new era that we all dreamed off, but it’s weren’t too far off.

A stalemate at home is nothing to sneer your nose at and some, even just a little, composure up front and we could have bagged the first three points of the season and a first home win since January.

I cannot believe it’s been that long.

Nonetheless, it was a very, very encouraging performance and it’s spectacular that potential we have. I was excited.

Brendan Rodgers, the youngest manager in the league, showed that he has the initiative, passion and the expertise to exceed in this job and his animated stances and reactions on the sidelines were a pleasure, a complete contrast to what we saw under Steve Coppell.

Rodgers’ tactics were clever and the formation inspiring, the youngsters looked to be enjoying themselves and playing with some creative freedom.

Scott Davies played surprisingly well on debut and he looked a real driving force in midfield, with Jimmy Kebe and Hal Robson-Kanu occupying the width, Reading looked dangerous every time they attacked.

I went into the game a little anxious, unexpected what was to come really. Forest are no mugs by any means and it was blatantly obvious that they’ve brought £6 million worth of talent. When they nicked a 1-0 win at the Mad Stad last term, they didn’t look good. They played well and performed better as an unit; they will definitely be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

Although Reading have spent significantly on Matthew Mills, signings have not been flooding in and a few new faces are still expected to come to enhance the squad. A 20 goal a season striker could come in handy but I have faith that Reading will do well.

Playoffs for sure.

Alex Pearce, what a fine centre half he’s becoming, captained Reading to a clean sheet and played like a man who’s been in the playing for ten years; he is pinnacle to Reading’s destiny this season.

I was convinced that Kebe had scored when the deflected of him. Then somehow Davies and then Shane Long blasted over from close range – all was needed was a little bit of composure.

Long looked like he had something to prove and he showed what he was capable, he must be relishing not to be wrestling Kevin Doyle and Dave Kitson for a start up front, he needs to have a good season.

The first signs are certainly encouraging.

Skipper Ivar

So it was the conservative decision for Ivar Ingimarsson to be appointed Reading’s new captain, a far cry from the far left decision to give youngster Alex Pearce the armband, he will be given the vice captaincy instead.

With Ingi’s injuries of late, it must have been tricky to give the responsibility to someone who may not be in the team often.

As determined last year and the year before that, Graeme Murty’s presence was solely missed and his influence and passion was left best on the pitch, when out of the side, the team missed that certain drive.

Let’s hope Ingimarsson will be able to supply that drive on a regular basis.

The Icelandic international was always the safe bet as he has been the club since October 2003, Steve Coppell’s first signing, and his love and knowledge of the clubs exceeds most other candidates.

James Harper’s potential move to Wolves, as reported earlier, gave indication that he was never in the running, and with Andre Bikey linked with many clubs it would be doubtful he would be risked with the responsibility, not that he would have been a good leader anyway.

Brendan Rodgers is certainly a clever man and what he said of Ivar speaks volumes: “Ivar has great respect from everybody here and his communication is open. He is ruthlessly simple, he says it as it is. I know he can put my message across when I am not there.”

That’s fair enough really and that is more than enough for me.

Pearce being given the vice captaincy role is fantastic new, Rodgers definitely knows his worth and if he’s playing constantly this season he’ll now doubt be able to fill role to a very good standard.

Rodgers spoke inspiring words of him: “In terms of Alex, I know that over time he can progress into a natural captain and he can learn from guys like Ivar. I want to help Alex in his progress because he is a natural leader of this club. He will learn as vice captain and be mentored to become captain one day.”

This may be the indication that Pearce may not be automatic first choice and with the signing of Matthew Mills he may have to show his worth more and more.

In all, a fine decision. The obvious one.

We just need a good song for him now.

Mills. Mills. Mills.

Excellent we have a signing and one to shout out about.

Matthew Mills is the latest, with some rumoured to follow, signing of a relatively peaceful summer and it’s the first purchase under the new Brendan Rodgers era.

He joins Ryan Bertrand, on loan from Chelsea, in beefing up the defence and it’s two players that I, personally, am really looking forward to seeing.

Last season Mills had a great season and was arguably Doncaster’s finest performer as Sean O’Driscoll exceeded all expectations to finish mid table in the Championship.

Mills comes to Reading for a slightly different task. He and Alex Pearce should form a formidable partnership as the club can get rid of the ever so slightly expansive Andre Bikey for a significant profit. There’s many rumoured in the hunt for his signature.

Doncaster paid a record signing fee for the centre albeit it only £300,000 but they made a grand profit of their own. Gladly he has a winning playoff mentality, when he secured promotion with Donny via the playoffs after beating Leeds ‘Scum’ United, and this may be a crucial factor come the end of the season.

It’s reported that Reading paid anything up to £2.3 million for his services and if he performs well he could attract a higher fee in the future.

It’s a grand transfer policy and a player that fits the bill perfectly. Well done Nicky Hammond.

He’s young, only 23, and ambitious but there is only one serious problem – he was born in Swind*n.

The Shock

If The Independent is regarded extremely left wing, it’s Championship coverage must be the same.

Have a look who they have touted as ‘one to watch’ for next season for the whole Championship.

I’m still in shock.

He's not that good is he?

Highlights of 2008/09 season

I saw something worthwhile when bored searching this wonderful thing called the internet.

I came across a brilliant highlights package on YouTube for last season.

So, If you want to relive last season’s ‘failure’ and the ending of an era feel free.

I certainly did and felt good for doing so. It made me more excited for this up and coming one.

The highlights shows footage of some of the finest players that wore the blue and white of Reading.

So watch Kevin Doyle, Graeme Murty, Glen Little, Dave Kitson, Stephen Hunt (Maybe, or rather hopefully), Marcus Hahnemann, Leroy Lita and ...er........ Michael Duberry for the last time* in a Reading shirt.

Enjoy.

* That's if there not on loan to us come January.

SJM has Good Intentions, Honest.

After reading some, if not many, comments about our ‘supposed’ financial state that Reading are particularly in I feel I need to go on the defensive.

This season especially we have seen big earners Kevin Doyle (Wolves for £6.5 million), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves for free), Leroy Lita (Released, yet to find a club), Michael Duberry (Wycombe Wanderers for free), and Graeme Murty (Released, on trial at Southampton) all leave the club without replacements being brought in.

Dave Kitson (£5.5 million to Stoke City), Ibrahima Sonko (£2.25 million to Stoke City), Nicky Shorey (Around £4 million to Aston Villa) were all sold at the beginning of last season, so on paper it seems that Reading have made significant profit.

However, the price of relegation far exceeds what people expect. Given the demands of sponsorships and TV money in the top flight and it’s completely different compared to the Championship.

TV money is a small fraction from what you do get in the Premier League and the newly constructed media centre as well as stadium expansion plans all cost plenty of money. The club also paid for the upgrade on the Madejski Hotel annoyingly.

Player’s wages increase significantly and although there's a relegation wage decrease, it's still more than they were originally was on. The parachute payments simply help combat all those things.

Not to mention the empty seats that appears more consistently throughout the season. The playoff game against Burnley wasn’t even a sell out - just one game from Wembley. Every empty seat costs money and if we had the attendances that Sheffield United get we would be able to splash out £2 million on a single player on a regular basis.

It is nothing more than extraordinary that a club, like ours, are balanced brilliantly after suffering relegation, we could have easily gambled to the extent of Southampton, Charlton or Norwich (who are all relegated) and find ourselves in a much more complicated situation.

Birmingham City, for instance, spent two season budgets in one and if they failed to win promotion, they would find themselves in dire straits. Therefore, for a team like Reading, still with many talented players on high wages, it would have been foolish to impose our slim budget any further and gambled unnecessarily.

That’s why this supposed ‘huge war chest’ never came around.

This season has a different prospect however, we can’t afford to gamble anymore and the inevitable departure of Doyle and soon to be departed Stephen Hunt was needed to make sure the club stay stable. This is why that transfer money isn’t available for new players; I’m sure there is some but not to the extent some fans are expecting.

Some unfair criticism is currently pointed at Sir John Madejski for this, it’s becoming more of an everyday occurrence, as it appears that he hasn’t handed any of the previous managers’ war chests to improve the squad; however, there is a reason for this.

He gambled £1 million on Leroy Lita and we won promotion, even though the £70,000 spent on Doyle was a more worthwhile expenditure; he must have that in mind.

Financially speaking we lost £1 million on Leroy but gained £6.4 million on Doyle. Hardly need a mathematician to work out what are the better figures?

So he doesn’t see spending big will be beneficial for the club, and as there are not any Arab billionaires lying around, I think it’s the sensible choice.

The issue SJM has is losing money through his own pocket. The cash he’s invested into the academy has been somewhat pointless ever since its existence but now it is finally paying dividends.

The emergence of players like Jem Karacan, Alex Pearce, Julian Kelly, James Henry, Hal Robson-Kanu, Scott Davies, Shane Long, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Simon Church, Simon Cox, Mikkel Anderson will all, sooner rather than later, make an impact on the first team and his investment is starting to look worthwhile.

Before he saw many of players graduating from the academy, that had potential, being sold off cheaply with other clubs making grand profit.

SJM knows the value of youth and seen his club miss big windfalls as good talent left to make a name for themselves elsewhere.

The fees that some of youth have attracted after leaving have been unforgiving.

Darius Henderson was sold for practically nothing to Gillingham, he moved to Watford for £450,000 and then to Sheffield United for £2 million. Big money lost.

Nathan Tyson moved to Wycombe for a fee believed to be £100,000, and after performing well he soon transferred to Nottingham Forest for £750,000. Still big money lost.

Simon Cox was given to Swind*n Town for £200,000 and not long after he moved to rivals West Brom for £1.5 million. Good enough to lead West Brom’s frontline; surely he would have been a success at Reading?

Jamie Ashdown left on a free to join Portsmouth and we had to settle for a little compensation fee.

All this money nurturing talent was wasted as other clubs benefitted; the ones we trained and introduced into football.

Brendan Rodgers knows this and arguably, it was one of the major reasons for his appointment to get the best out of youth.

Most of the current young players would have been fresh faced 15/16 year olds when our new manager was in charge of the Reading youths back in 2003/2004, now Rodgers have seen them grown in men ready for the next stage of their careers and who would be better to implement them into the first team.

Now it’s time for the management to stop letting these players slip through the club’s fingers, as it’s now time to profit with success and top-flight football.

Pearce: The Ideal Candidate

Down the Baron the other day (what a god awful Wetherspoon it is), I, and some other disgruntled Reading enthusiasts, discussed who would be best to replace Graeme Murty as captain.

It ended up being quite rational as we all came to different conclusions. It was quite astonishing actually.

One argued for James Harper, a brutal runner that quite-frankly does nothing worthwhile on a football pitch, as he’s been at the club for the longest and knows Reading inside and out. Unfortunately, my misguided friend had one too many Carlings’ and it was agreed that Harper would be an awful choice.

The thought of him attending pre and post match interviews fashioning those ridiculous basketball jerseys are cringe worthy and something the club doesn’t really need. Having Andre Bikey in the team alone make Reading a laughing stock.

Supposedly, Harper’s a midfield general but in the ideal Royals team, he would be confined to warming the bench, as he doesn’t make the impact that he once had. He misses Steve Sidwell; he misses him a lot. Fans have not seen the real James Harper, whatever that is, for a long time now and if a club comes in with a modest fee, I can see Rodgers selling him without worry.

One ill-educated Reading fan actually recommended Bikey and resounding laughter subsequently followed. He was dead serious as well.

He claimed that Bikey is a fully-fledged international and has character on the pitch. Well his over exuberant rant after being dismissed at Burnley is not character it was just plain stupidity.

The sensible one offered Gunnarsson and I can see why. The Icelander seems to be the father figure in the team, the go-to guy, the man that often gets the team out of trouble.

If he were five years younger and a constant first team regular, he would be installed as captain as soon as Murty left but that is not the case. If he was appointed skipper it would only be short-term solution and this problem will arose itself again next season.

Another wants Ivar Ingimarsson and to be fair he seems to be the readymade replacement. He was the forgotten man last season; we did miss him considerably, especially in the latter parts of the season.

At 31, he is not too old and he could be the next captain for the four or five years but it’s undecided whether he will be a regular next season as injuries have hampered him for a while now.

I’m a little more left wing than my friends are. I went for Alex Pearce.

Although I would like to hide the fact that he was born in Oxf*rd, his all round ability has been thought a lot of and the way he would have a rant at someone who’s ten years his senior was simply inspiring and a little intimidating in all honesty.

Many may see him as too young, being 20, to lead a team. What is age apart from a nuisance?

The way he conducts himself and the way he leads by example certainly impresses. Whether it’s a headed clearance or creating momentum with a little run out of defence, he gives Reading so much.

Rodgers should see him as pinnacle to his plans and a regular berth at the heart of Reading’s defence is necessary for the club to move on with the next generation.

He’s grown up with the likes of Julian Kelly, Jem Karacan, and James Henry and if he’s installed as captain will give these players the inspiration to be confident to break into the first team if they perform well.

Pearce prides himself on having a strong aerial presence and good awareness. Those assets are clearly visible and his game can only improve.

When sitting close to the pitch at the Graeme Murty testimonial, you could hear Pearce screaming at the whole team and at certain individuals about this, that, and everything. He bellowed at Jay Tabb about positioning and he looked generally upset when the first half penalty was awarded for a nothing challenge.

Although appointing him will probably end up being wide of the mark, a strong character is needed to lead the Royals into the top flight.

And for me, Pearce is the ideal candidate.

Who do you think it should be?

Time for Long to Deliver

I will galvanise a sublime panorama for you. Just imagine a striker that has no real or significant attributes, that has lived on his Irish pals fame, who’s been around for three season and yet to make any thorough impact will lead our attack next season.

Shane Long has been given number 9 and number 9 is what he will wear.
I’ve always been a Longer fan and his 24 is symbolised on the back of my rather too bright Orange away shirt. His four well-taken goals against Tolo IF will surely place him as hot favourite to fill spearhead the attacking 3 in a 4-3-3 that Brendan Rodgers is working so prominently on.

A four nil drumming is always morale boosting and will escalate Reading’s confidence that will be taken so epically into the new season but it’s Long’s goals that were the important factor in this win.

Although the part time pub footballers that we are coming against in Sweden can rarely be classed as ‘competition’, it’s always good to see strikers amongst the goals and with Long scoring all four it shows the fans that he can be relied upon to get a goal or two. Maybe Kevin Doyle’s departure has placed more emphasis on Long and stepping into his boots may be the best thing for him, he’s no longer hiding in the shadows.

The fans often have split loyalties on Longer; half believe he is utter crap and the other half are bedazzled by him. It is difficult to know what Long will turn up but if it’s in one that turned up against Charlton Athletic at home and Norwich City away last season, Reading will not be missing Doyler at all this term.

It’s going to be a big season for him and I rather doubt that he will be given much of an opportunity by Rodgers’ as with only one attacker up top he will need to be performing from the beginning or he’ll find himself warming the bench once again.

He’s needs to be in the goals now and be scoring and playing well with every game he plays up until the kick off the new campaign.

His photo-shoot for the kit launch gave an awe of arrogance from him and with the ‘marketing’ people choosing Long, it indicates that the people behind the scenes all believe that he will make an outstanding impact.

He’s now 22 and been on the fringes of the first team for a long time so it is time he makes his mark and my word I hope he does.