Reading's Unsung Heros

[Wimb]

Following on from the 5 Best/ 5 Worst signings and sales and a mention of Ulises de la Cruz it got me thinking of those players who have quietly gone about doing a job for the club without ever really being remembered for anything in particular.

Some of my thoughts....

John Salako - The guy was a major catalyst in our promotion season and stabilising our championship position. We've been lucky to have some good wingers in the last few years but Sally always seems lost behind a cloud of Little, Shunt and Convey.

Kevin Watson - Again a major catalyst for promotion and beyond did his job in midfield well and was a nice bloke to boot.

Keith McPherson - Again rock solid defender for nearly a decade but got lost behind the likes of Dariuz, Adie Williams and Linvoy Primus. The guy played at Wembley with a broken foot ffs

Martin Williams - Whilst 'skittles' was never a great player he was one source of entertainment through a couple of dour seasons at the Madejski.

Ulises de la Cruz - As mentioned in the header, whenever the Premier League years are mentioned this guy never gets a mention. He was never brilliant but rarely awful and was a nice part of the club for a couple of seasons.


Any other players over the years who you thought did well but never got the credit or attention they deserved?

[1871 Royal]

Agreed with Kevin Watson, when I saw him play for us I had never seen anyone pass a ball as good as him!

[rhroyal]

Watson and Salako are both brilliant shouts. I remember in 01/02 after the Swindon loss (lets never mention that again - shredded by NEIL RUDDOCK!) and we looked nothing like promotion material. Both gave us a shot in the arm and then played a role in establishing us in Division 1.

Considering the stick in his last years, James Harper. However player of the season in 02/03 hardly suggests unsung.

Ricky Newman could do a job in central midfield, central defence and right back when required. Never set the world on fire, but never let us down.

[Wimb]

Watson and Salako are both brilliant shouts. I remember in 01/02 after the Swindon loss (lets never mention that again - shredded by NEIL RUDDOCK!) and we looked nothing like promotion material. Both gave us a shot in the arm and then played a role in establishing us in Division 1.

Considering the stick in his last years, James Harper. However player of the season in 02/03 hardly suggests unsung.

Ricky Newman could do a job in central midfield, central defence and right back when required. Never set the world on fire, but never let us down.

Good shout on Newman think he's still going

[Row Z Royal]

Reading unsung hero is what?

[biscuitman]

Phil Whitehead was an unsung hero in my eyes.

[Wimb]

Reading unsung hero is what?

Damn you Row Z you haunt my spelling and grammar at every step

[Ryn]

Whitehead did do a great job until Hahnemann came along.

I remember thinking it was a bit harsh to drop him for the big Yank.

[Row Z Royal]

Reading unsung hero is what?

Damn you Row Z you haunt my spelling and grammar at every step

[Wax Jacket]

Lee Hodges, seriously

until the 04-05 season I'd probably put Martin Butler right up there as one of the best RFC players I'd seen too - doesn't get mentioned as much as he might

[Big Foot]

Steve Brown. Solid centre back whilst he was with us and always will remember that free kick against Palace.

Chris Makin was also reliable when called upon in 05/06.

[Row Z Royal]

Chris Makin was also reliable when called upon in 05/06.

The quiet man of the Championship winning side.

And then was honest enough with himself to realise that he was going to be playing even less in the Prem. Top man.

[CMRoyal]

Chris Makin was also reliable when called upon in 05/06.

Yep, that would be my shout. Top pro.

[Einstein agogo]

dylan kerr?

[Wax Jacket]

dylan kerr?

hardly unsung winning the Player of the Year vote in a season where JQ got 40 goals

[Still Hate Futcher!]

Linden Jones, Colin Bailie and Steve Brown. Relatively speaking I think Micky Gooding was pretty underrated too. Parky seems to make most peoples legends 11 ahead of him but as good as Parky was he wasn't in Gooding's league.

[Barry the bird boggler]

Tom Jones did well whenever he played, even recall that tackle and the sound of his leg breaking ricocheting aroung EP

[Focher]

For some reason i really rated De La Cruz, totally unsung. The way he went about his game, his work rate, committment, and also what he did for his own country means he'd always be welcome back at Reading anytime for me.

[heathrow royal]

For some reason i really rated De La Cruz, totally unsung. The way he went about his game, his work rate, committment, and also what he did for his own country means he'd always be welcome back at Reading anytime for me.

I have to agree with this

[Wide and Wonderful]

Chris Makin was also reliable when called upon in 05/06.

The quiet man of the Championship winning side.

And then was honest enough with himself to realise that he was going to be playing even less in the Prem. Top man.

When Nicky Shorey and Graham Murty were out for a large part of the championship season, both Chris Makin and Stephen Hunt stepped in admirably and contributed massively to our winning streak. When these two stepped in, we didn't seem to miss our first choice full backs.

Chris Makin certainly deserved his medal that year.