Howard Now Confirmed

[SteveRoyal]

There's something strange going on and I doubt we'll ever know the full story.

Not really. I think it's pretty straightforward. JM told BR that he needed to offload the very highest earners,with NH's remit to get as much as he can for them. I wouldn't be surprised if our wage bill - which was JM's biggest worry - is now firmly in the "average for this division" instead of one of the highest.

If not slightly lower, what with all our academy graduates.

[Royalwaster]

Interesting to see that Sheffield United fan's criticism of Howard that it was like playing with only 10 men and Harper's comments about not being appreciating for his hard graft by the Reading faithful ....

[rg6royal]

Good news.

[Super Kevin Bremner!]

Have they said anywhere how long his contract is for?

[ZacNaloen]

Contract is until 2012 according to the official site.

[Jeffers217]

I'm undecided bout this transfer to be honest I mean he is proven at this level however not a patch on Marek and Sigurdsson has clearly shown he's one for the future.

I still think our strongest midfield will be:



McAnuff (left)
HRK (right)
Karacan and Gunnarson (DM)
Marek (AM)

But it does look very promising the players we now have in the centre of the park, something we really lacked when Sidwell left

[leww_rfc]

Have they said anywhere how long his contract is for?

yep as Zac said up there ^ 3 years until 2012! im very happy its now confirmed IMO he should play week in week out the times i've seen him play he's look very very good! Yes.. 2 Very's for a Reading Player!

[Royalee]

Does that mean we'd be at a disadvantage if him and Tabb played together? Is this likely?

Karacan and Marek are hardly giants either !

I'd rather pick the best players than worry too much about height, but of course if the whole team was 5'8'' it would be an issue at set pieces.!

Did you not notice a few games ago Tabb actually won everything in the air (when he was playing left back with a very large centre forward up against him). His jump is Stevie Richardsonesque !!

There was some stat on Soccer AM about all the shortest teams in the Premiership doing better than than the taller teams like Portsmouth. All bollocks of course but it was amusing for 5 minutes.

[Archies Volley II]

Very happy at this news - good luck fella!

[Royalee]

Oh and yes, good luck Howard - another decent signing.

[leww_rfc]

Does that mean we'd be at a disadvantage if him and Tabb played together? Is this likely?

Karacan and Marek are hardly giants either !

I'd rather pick the best players than worry too much about height, but of course if the whole team was 5'8'' it would be an issue at set pieces.!

Did you not notice a few games ago Tabb actually won everything in the air (when he was playing left back with a very large centre forward up against him). His jump is Stevie Richardsonesque !!

Get me in there, I’m tall for my age and fit in with the youngster policy .

[Murts-is-Lej]

I'm not overly bothered by the height thing because between them Karacan, Gunnarson, Cisse and Tabb are decent enough in the air for the middle of the park.

The problem is more their support (or lack of it) for the defenders at corners, etc. We have already shipped almost half our goals that way so far this season...

[Wycombe Royal]

I'm not overly bothered by the height thing because between them Karacan, Gunnarson, Cisse and Tabb are decent enough in the air for the middle of the park.

The problem is more their support (or lack of it) for the defenders at corners, etc. We have already shipped almost half our goals that way so far this season...

We have gained some height with Cummings though as he is 6ft.

[TBM]

I still think our strongest midfield will be:



McAnuff (left)
HRK (right)
Karacan and Gunnarson (DM)
Marek (AM)

How can you not have Jay Tabb in there?

He is probably the only midfielder who deserves to be on the team sheet each week

[Forever Reading]

Shirley we far too many midfielders. Brendan said he wouldn't replace harper if he went.

[Wycombe Royal]

Shirley we far too many midfielders. Brendan said he wouldn't replace harper if he went.

He didn't replace Harper. Howard was instead of Smith.

[Maguire]

I still think our strongest midfield will be:

McAnuff (left)
HRK (right)
Karacan and Gunnarson (DM)
Marek (AM)

How can you not have Jay Tabb in there?

He is probably the only midfielder who deserves to be on the team sheet each week

Or Kebe?! Kebe >>>>>>> HRK

Again, nice to have options though. Kebe, McAnuff, Howard, Bryn, Gylfi, Tabb, Matejovsky, Karacan, Cisse (+Davies, HRK, Henry), all vying for 4/5 places.

[ZacNaloen]

Looking at this team I'm glad it's not my job to pick who's playing against Doncaster, for the first time in years there is no guaranteed first starter at the club in pretty much any position except striker.

[Dr Hfuhruhurr]

Kebe, McAnuff, Howard, Bryn, Gylfi, Tabb, Matejovsky, Karacan, Cisse (+Davies, HRK, Henry), all vying for 4/5 places.

My guesses -
Kebe - Starter / Bench
McAnuff - Starter
Howard - Dont know - could well never play for us
Bryn - Bench at best
Sig - Starter
Tabb - Bench
Matejovky - Who?
Karacan - Starter
Cisse - Will never play in midfield again
Davies - Bench
HRK - Transfer List in January
Henry - First out the door

Just guesses, mind

[brendywendy]

so we now have 4 DM, and and 4 AM, and 4 wingers
thats a tough juggling act