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.

The Source of Frustration that is Simon Church

2011/12 will go down in the annals of Reading Football Club history as one their greatest successes. Promotion to the top flight for only the second time in 141 years was achieved by a team that was more than the sum of its parts. A hodge podge of young players and veterans who’d not quite cut it in the top flight. What saw them through was an incredible self-belief that enabled previously average players to suddenly find a new gear that took them to a higher playing level than any fan dared dream in the summer. In amongst it all though is the incredibly frustrating figure of Simon Church. The Wales international started the season as Shane Long’s replacement yet by the end of it, despite some goals in big games, he’s ended it as fourth choice with a disappointing return of 7 goals in 32 games. How is it that when everyone else seems to have produced their best season for the club to date, Church has stagnated and fallen by the wayside? Is it a lack of games, faith from the manager, confidence or is he simply not very good?

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.

Reading Sign Karl Sheppard – A Profile On The Newest Royal

Reading have signed striker Karl Sheppard on a 2 1/2 year deal as confirmed by the club after the player himself confirmed the news on Twitter. The Republic of Ireland U21 international was out of contract with Shamrock Rovers and so moves to the Madejski on a free transfer.

Below the jump we’ll be taking a quick look about what we know about Sheppard and what we can expect from him going forward.