I think Hunt is still setting up as if Smith was here, who could do that role asked as well as anyone in this division Otherwise I think Wareham actually did the role pretty well. Better suited to it than the 3 we have now Completely agree. I think Hunt basically took last season's system and dropp...

Some tough competition now - especially in the wide areas, interested to see who misses out Would probably go with: Pereira Ahmed Burns Williams Jacob Wing Elliott Savage Lane O’Mahony Kyerewaa Stevens, Abrefa, Dorsett, Fraser, Doyle, Ritchie, Marriott Harsh on Camara who has 2 in 2 as well as a de...

James Earnshaw is leaving the Chronicle with Saturday his last match. No replacement as yet, job advertised now if anyone is interested. Doesn't say where he's going but has a new job and sounds like he's staying local. He’s got a job at the club… Fair play to him. He's a young lad doing his best i...

Would go JP Abrefa/Ahmed Williams Burns Jacob Elliott Wing Savage Lane MoM Garcia Stevens Kyeweraa Abrefa/Ahmed Dorsett Marriott Fraser Doyle Getting a hefty squad now - esp if Ritchie joins as expected. He won’t be coming to sit on the bench being as he is leaving Portsmouth as not promised game t...

Brogue

Esteban My guess is that Matt Ritchie definitely isn't happening and McCleary is the back up plan. 1 year deal, with a coaching element to it.

Ritchie is done.

Fair enough. Makes it one of the strangest transfers we've ever had.

My guess is that Matt Ritchie definitely isn't happening and McCleary is the back up plan. 1 year deal, with a coaching element to it.

The big man up front is definitely needed. Ferguson I can get behind, as long as it's a sensible deal financially. Matt Ritchie is an interesting one. Initially I was up for this, because I didn't rate Camara and Garcia is still very young and adapting to a new position. But credit where it's due, t...

Two great goals, some terrible football at times, some really good stuff occasionally and a pretty poor referee. But I do think there are some green shoots. Still a long way to go. Ian made a good point about the lack of height in our side, and maybe I'm seeing it wrong, but it looks like we deliber...

We seem to have a growing issue with crosses into our box. We always seem to leave someone unmarked, or marked by someone a foot shorter.

Don’t disagree but there have been lots of very good CB pairs that aren’t especially quick. It’s as much about reading the game (not Mbengues strong point) Maybe Williams can bring that. Gorkss and Pearce… a championship winning CB partnership and Pearce had the turning circle of the titanic. Was g...

A much better performance today. Elliott miles better than anyone else, it's imperative we get him signed to a new contract before Christmas, losing him in a free next summer would be criminal. Fair play to MoM, he was much better today. Some decent performances all round. Lewis Wing's goal :shock: ...

Have we started the same defence in consecutive matches at all this season? I know injuries played a part, but still.

At least Elliott is starting.

Don't rate Camara, personally. Still think we need another wide option, with Garcia to support.

I think Wrexham played it a lot last season maybe? Certainly did in League 2 and the National league.

I guess football has moved on from it, but the best I've ever seen Reading play is using that formation. I'd have no issue if Noel gave it a try as a plan B now and then.

Hunt has again today spoken of signing 3 more players in forward positions. So reading between the lines these are my guesses of what is going on. If I was to hazard a guess they are. Yakou Meite he has still not signed anywhere but I think he is the player who has held off for a better offer. I th...

Extended-Phenotype

morganb Who was the last decent striker the Academy produced?

Danny Loader?

I was going to say Loader, but is he an out and out striker?

Who was the last decent striker the Academy produced? I suppose you could say Kelvin E, given how many games he's started up front for us. Not much competition though. Uche Ikpeazu would probably be next in line, I think? Nearly 300 games as a professional. We've produced some quality forwards in o...

Maybe we should have offered Wareham more than 1 year. He'd have started every game so far. At the time, I thought that amongst all the fanfare of a spectacular transfer window and exciting signings, it made sense. In retrospect, the facts are that we couldn’t match what he was offered at Excreter....

Agree with the above. There's been a lot of disorganisation across the pitch too. Williams helped to sort out the defence last night, but the rest needs time on the training ground.

My radical team: ..................Pereira Abrefa, Burns, Williams, Dorsett ...................Wing ...........Elliott.....Fraser Kyerewaa........................Camara ................Savage My more realistic side. Drop Fraser for MOM and put Savage back in midfield. Out of interest, why did you g...

We deserved nothing from that game, but got a stroke of luck at the end. Bolton must be spewing. The midfield is a mess, you can see the frustration. Elliott has to start on Saturday instead of Fraser. Doyle offered very little out wide. Is O'Mahony actually a striker? Defence was better. Not great,...