Mooney not Kitson replacement

[readingbedding]

From the Chronic.

READING insist that new signing Dave Mooney is not a direct replacement for Dave Kitson.

Kitson joined Stoke City recently in a £5.5 million deal, robbing Royals of some much-needed height up front.

Now they have landed 6ft 2ins Mooney from Cork City for around £200,000 to boost their presence in the opposition box.

The 23-year-old agreed a three-year deal on Wednesday and becomes the fifth player signed from The Rebels in recent years.

Mooney trained with Steve Coppell’s squad for the first time on Thursday and director of football, Nick Hammond, said: “Dave’s profile is similar to Kevin Doyle’s when we signed him from Cork three years ago.

“He’s 23 and he came to the fore in Irish football over the last couple of years. He won the Golden Boot last season and he’s already got 15 in 22 games this season.

“But he is not here to replace Dave Kitson. There are similarities but he’s a different sort of player.

“It’s a huge challenge for him and we believe he will make the transition.”

Mooney’s arrival means Coppell now has five strikers at his disposal along with Doyle, Leroy Lita, Noel Hunt and Shane Long.

Hunt, brother of Stephen, joined a couple of weeks ago from Dundee United for £600,000 after cracking 18 goals in the Scottish Premier League last season.

That has fuelled rumours £6 million-rated Doyle is set to leave, with Sunderland and Aston Villa hot on his trail.

But Hammond insisted: “It’s not a case of one-in-one-out. We haven’t had five strikers before but, following discussions with Steve Coppell, we felt it was an opportunity too good to miss.

“I saw Birmingham play at Southampton last weekend and they have five strikers - four were on the pitch. It just gives us more options and we think he will bring another dimension.”

It is believed Cork were keen to cash in on Mooney to help clear mounting debts of 1.3 million euros.

He is the fifth player Reading have signed from the Irish club in recent years following Doyle, Long, defender Alan Bennett and midfielder Joe Gamble.

Meanwhile, it is understood Reading are close to signing a new left-back as a long-term replacement for Nicky Shorey.

As The Chronicle revealed last week, they are considering a swoop for Arsenal’s young left-back Kieron Gibbs on loan.

Gibbs is behind Armand Traore and Gael Clichy in the pecking order and last season he was loaned to Norwich City.

The only factor going against him is his relative inexperience and Reading may prefer someone like Sheffield United’s Chris Armstrong.

It is thought Yeovil Town youngster Craig Alcock has also caught Reading’s eye, though the 20-year-old is also inexperienced.

The Royals are also growing more confident they will not lose any more players to Premier League predators before the transfer window shuts on midnight September 1.

Middlesbrough have bid £3 million for James Harper but there has been no recent interest in Doyle.

“We haven’t had an offer for any of our players in the last couple of weeks,” stated Hammond. “We are moving discussions forward regarding a left-sided player and, if we can keep everyone else, it will be a perfect scenario.”

And he stressed: “We are discreet. I understand supporters want to know what’s happening but hopefully they also understand the importance of dealing in this way.

“We’re quite an old-fashioned club in that way. We will let them know when things develop as soon as possible.”

[Millsy]

Too right.

So who will be then?

[loyalroyal4life]

Too right.

So who will be then?

well i am not sure it will be gibbs now that traore has gone to pompey

[The whole year inn]

Not sure the loan signing of Gibbs can be classed as long-term (as mentioned in the article).

Armstrong would be great - solid at this level with a load of experience

[Royalwaster]

Re. the main point of the article, how tall was Kitson?

[Royal Lady]

Kitson was over 6 feet, I believe.

This article tells us nothing really. Hammond isn't saying "Mooney is not Kitson's replacement, we're getting someone else" - he's telling us not to expect him to be another Kitson imho.

[Big Ern]

So not a replacement for Kitson...looks like Doyle is off then.

[rfcjoe]

OS says Mooney turned down palace and a few other clubs.

[Dawn]

From todays EP

Coppell: We have the ideal striker to replace Kits

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2034293_coppell_we_have_the_ideal_striker_to_replace_kits

[Royal Lady]

LOL - oh dear

[cmonurz]

LOL

Left hand, right hand.

[rg6royal]

I believe he will be a good player for us and that he is just what we need.

[rfcjoe]

I hope that what you beieve is correct sonny jim.

[weybridgewanderer]

Not sure the loan signing of Gibbs can be classed as long-term (as mentioned in the article).

exactly what I thought

it is understood Reading are close to signing a new left-back as a long-term replacement for Nicky Shorey.

As The Chronicle revealed last week, they are considering a swoop for Arsenal’s young left-back Kieron Gibbs on loan.

wonder how they define long term! or shoddy journalism?

[Alan Partridge]

So the new Kitson isn't Kitson's replacement but he might be the replacement for Kitson.

Nice to see RFC clear that one up for us.

[howser]

Ah now be fair AP, there arnt many occassions that the club be accused of contradictory statements !!................................................can there ????

[Vision]

Of course as usual if you take away the headline and read what was actually said then in effect Hammond and Coppell are saying pretty much the same thing.

[West Stand Man]

I think there is a bit of semantics going on here.

Clearly Mooney does replace Kitson in the squad. Thus Coppell is quite right in saying that.

Equally, it is not likely that Mooney is a direct replacement for Kitson's style, etc, so that is also accurate.

I hope that helps.

[Arch]

he is not here to replace Dave Kitson. There are similarities but he’s a different sort of player.

He’s probably a bit more of a physical presence in terms of stature. He gives us that little more height.

Kits was very important for set-pieces and as a target man. That’s not Mooney’s forte – to be an out-and-out target man – but given the size he is, it’s something he can improve on and give us.

Contradiction! RFC lying! Shambles! Hammond out!

[Gordons Cumming]

When are we going to get that replacement for Sidwell?

Still waiting..............