To Change Or Not To Change? That Is The Question…

Since the season drew to a close Reading have already dipped into the transfer market three times, bringing in Gareth McCleary, Danny Guthrie and subject to any late shenanigans, Pavel Pogrebnyak. Both Pogrebnyak and Guthrie have Premier League experience while McCleary is the reigning Player of the Season at Nottingham Forest, so all three will bring something positive to the mix at the Madejski next year and give Brian McDermott even more options to choose from.

We’re also highly likely to dip back into the market, with rumours of approaches for players such as Jordan Rhodes, Adrian Mariappa and even Gylfi Sigurdsson all floating about amongst numerous others. For fans of a newly promoted club this is arguably the most fun period of the season as we see household names all linked with a move to the Mad Stad, players we can all freely debate in the pub as opposed to relatively unknown quantities such as Brett Williams, or Karl Sheppard. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with unproven players (ahem Doyle, Long, Hislop etc) but it’s a bit more fun to chat about the merits of Pogrebnyak vs Hunt compared to Sheppard vs Church….

However there’s always a bit of concern whether a successful squad should be tinkered with too much, and especially when the players coming in are likely in a new wage bracket, could too many signings disrupt the team?

It’s a question that’s only going to be definitively answered come the season’s end but what can we learn from the investment of other newly promoted sides and can there be such a thing as too much or too little change?

Reading FC Sign Danny Guthrie

Pic Courtesy of Reading FC OS

Well it’s been a while, but finally there’s been a bit of solid footballing news coming out of the Madejski Stadium, with two signings and the launch of the strips for 2012/13. The first of those signings to be confirmed was that of Danny Guthrie, who joins from Newcastle on a ‘Bosman’ free transfer on a three-year deal. 

Guthrie has been through some of the biggest clubs in the country, including Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle, winning praise wherever he’s been. However, somewhat inconsistant form and a series of unfortunate injuries have meant Guthrie has never quite cracked the top-level of the English game and we’ll look at what Reading fans can expect from the 25-year-old midfielder.

Money, Money …. Money?

Many people are getting excited about the new Premier League TV deal, announced yesterday, and what it means to clubs like Reading. Local media have been sensationalising this as much as possible, using words like “TV windfall” – so let’s have a brief look at what this actually does mean for a club like Reading.

2011/12 Reading FC Report Card – The Forwards

Our final stop in our position by position review of the 2011/12 season sees us look at the strikers.  Of the four strikers involved at the start of the campaign, just two would last the season, while two key additions would arrive over the course of the campaign.

2011/12 Reading FC Report Card – The Midfield

After looking at the Goalkeepers & Defenders last week, we continue our position by position breakdown of all those that have made an appearance for the Royals this year, with a look at the midfield.

Getting the old gang back together again….?

Every summer transfer speculation is always rife, and even more so following a promotion. And as clubs publish their lists of released players and former Royals become available, there’s discussion about which former Royals would be worth bringing back for this second spell in the Premier League.

So, just for fun, here are some thoughts on just which of the former Royals from the record-breaking 2005/06 team and the subsequent Premier League seasons we should consider re-signing.  For simplicity, I’ve only considered players who made a significant contribution or played in a reasonable number of matches, and as this my opinion piece I get to decide what a “significant contribution” or a “reasonable number of matches” actually means!

Reading FC Sign Garath McCleary – A Profile

So Reading have made their first summer signing, with Nottingham Forest winger Garath McCleary joining on a free transfer and signing a three-year contract at the Madejski Stadium.

The 6 foot 2, 25 year old winger was recently named Forest’s player of the season but coming into this season had never started more than 10 games in a league season so what can we glean from his past to understand why Brian may have decided to make him our first Premier League signing.

2011/12 Reading FC Report Card – Goalkeepers & The Defence

Now that the parade is over and the trophy safely in the cabinet there’s time to reflect on what has been a remarkable season for Reading Football Club. Over the next few weeks we’ll take detailed looks at lots of different areas of the 2011/12 season and today we’ll start our position by position breakdown of all those that have made an appearance for the Royals this year, starting today with the goalkeepers and the defenders.

Birmingham 2-0 Reading FC – Brum Fail To Deflate Royals Fans As They Wave Goodbye To The Championship

After two weeks of celebrating promotion it didn’t come as the greatest of surprises that a much changed Reading side came undone at the hands of Birmingham, who clinched fourth place in the Championship with a 2-0 win at St Andrew’s.

Despite the defeat and a miserable day weather wise, it was still another awesome day to be a Reading fan, with the traditional end of season inflatables and over 4,000 Royals fans helping create a great atmosphere, one worthy of Champions.

Reading 2-2 Crystal Palace: Point proves enough – Champions!

Federici 8; Cummings 8, Pearce 7, Gorkss 7, Harte 8; Robson-Kanu 6 (Le Fondre 8), Leigertwood 7 (Tabb), Mullins 7 (Gunnarsson), McAnuff 8; Hunt 7, Roberts 7

What a difference two hours makes. After ten-man Reading battled to a draw against Crystal Palace at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday afternoon, most supporters expected the title showdown with Southampton to come down to the last day of the season. But at 7.15pm, the relief and delight was felt all across town as Middlesbrough beat the Saints, ensuring Reading’s second promotion to the top flight would also see them crowned champions for the second time. Reading made one change to the team which sealed Premier League football on Tuesday night – Hal Robson-Kanu came in on the right wing for Jimmy Kebe, who had been carrying a knee injury for a few games.

7 Reasons To Look Forward To Reading FC Being Back In The Premier League

So we’re back in the big time for the first time since 2008. For those of you who have forgotten, here’s a flavour of the things you can look forward to now that Reading are back in the Premier League.

Police Intelligence? Now there’s an oxymoron!

For many Reading supporters returning from watching the team’s stunning win over Southampton to go top of the Championship , the evening was marred by what was waiting for them at Reading Station.

Because Thames Valley Police were there in massive force, in scenes more reminiscent of policing the miner’s strike in the 80s than policing of football fans returning to their home station after a great night out. Estimates of numbers vary, but everyone who was there agrees that the show of force was totally disproportionate to the level of threat. We’re talking about approximately 40 police officers, in riot gear, deployed with numerous dogs and acting extremely aggressively. This was demonstrably over the top. We are talking here about Reading supporters, after all –Reading supporters who had a grand total of 5 supporters arrested at all away matches in the whole of the 2010/11 season (according to official Home Office statistics ); and the same Reading supporters who are praised for their behaviour by police forces and stadium managers across the country – for instance the Police Commander at Anfield who came onto STAR’s coaches to thanks Reading supporters for their behaviour, saying that they were the best-behaved set of supporters to visit the stadium.

View From The Town End – Southampton (A)

Oh boy, this one is going to be fun. The top two are locked on 82 points, both needing to reach 89 to seal Premier League football next year and tomorrow night they’ll be playing each other at St Mary’s. If you’d have predicted this scenario when we drew 1-1 with Southampton back in October then please pick my lottery numbers for me next week.

Ahead of tomorrow’s game we spoke to Saints fan Chris Rann from Southampton blog George Weah’s Cousin who gives us his thoughts on their season and what to expect on Friday night.

Jem Karacan’s Season Over – Who Steps Up?

Pic Courtesy Reading OS

The fantastic win over Leeds on Friday was soured somewhat by the news that Royals midfielder Jem Karacan will miss the rest of the season after breaking his ankle during a challenge with Michael Brown. It’s a sad end on what has been a great season for the Turkish midfielder but the good news is that he should be fit to take part in pre-season and we wish him all of the best in his road back to fitnes.

So with five games to go Reading now face the prospect of replacing their influential midfielder but who is best placed to take the mantle on.

Reading 3-1 Blackpool: Royals lead race for 2nd by a head

Federici 7; Cummings 7, Pearce 8, Gorkss 8, Harte 8; Kebe 7, Leigertwood 8, Karacan 8, McAnuff 8; Afobe 7 (Church 6), Hunt 7

Harte celebrates his goal. Credit: Reading OS

As Reading enter the home straight, every game becomes even more vital than before. With Southampton a couple of lengths out in front, and West Ham and Reading comprising the chasing pack with the other contenders left way behind, every slip-up from here on in could make the difference between automatic promotion and the play-off “lottery”. Reading’s first blip came away at Peterborough on Tuesday night – the third away game in eight days for Brian McDermott’s men seeing them lose for the first time in eleven games to set Royals’ fans nerves tingling. They were aiming to resume normal service at the Mad Stad against Blackpool. Jason Roberts picked up a hamstring injury against the Posh and was replaced by new Arsenal loanee Benik Afobe up top. Shaun Cummings replaced another loanee, Hayden Mullins, in the only other change for Reading.

Barnsley 0-4 Reading FC- Tykes Trashed by Rampant Royals

Pic from Reading OS

A magnificent day for Reading in South Yorkshire on Saturday as we moved three points clear of third placed West Ham with a 4-0 demolition of Barnsley.

Royals fan Alex Everson was one of the brave Royals to make the long trip up and here’s his account of a day when Reading sent an emphatic message to their promotion rivals.

Doncaster 1-1 Reading – Donny Hold Firm Within The Keepmoat

Reading narrowly failed to make it 9 wins in a row last night, as a sluggish first 30 minutes from the visitors helped Doncaster gain a foothold in a match that they wouldn’t surrender at the Keepmoat. After falling behind to Kyle Bennet’s first half goal Reading slowly got more and more into the game and although Alex Pearce levelled things up just after the break, Carl Ikeme produced some fine saves to end the Royal’s winning run.

Reading 1-0 Portsmouth – Hunting Down Top Spot

Seven wins from seven and Brian McDermott’s promotion party bus continues to get fuelled up and ready to hit the streets. This game was anything but a classic as both sides combined for 2 shots on target in 90 minutes but nobody will remember the quality of these games if we’re looking forward to Premier League football next season.

View From The Town End – Portsmouth

Six wins on the spin and Portsmouth are the next team to come to the Madejski Stadium. This game always has a good atmosphere but you could forgive Pompy’s travelling fans for being a bit subdued tonight, given that their club might not exist this time next week, or next month.

Ahead of tonight’s game, Pompy fan Bill Gillon from Pompy Online shared his thoughts on Pompy’s plight and what he expects from the game this evening.

Middlesbrough 0-2 Reading: Royals dismiss Boro to complete a fruitful February

Federici 7; Connolly 7, Pearce 7, Gorkss 7, Harte 8; Kebe 7, Leigertwood 7, Karacan 7, McAnuff 7; Roberts 7, Hunt 7

Another victory for Reading means that the Royals have now won their last five League matches to nil. Whilst the performances haven’t been thrilling all-out attack from McDermott’s men, one word has been the pivotal descriptor: effective. Federici and company have blocked out the opposition entirely for 474 consecutive minutes, with the forward line grabbing the goals to steal the points. This review is going to be slightly different from usual, with me trying to summarise “Zonal Marking” style just how the Royals came away with victory at the Riverside.