RUMOUR - Harper to Middlesborough

[brendywendy]

The difference between the two is that Matejovsky can pick out a defence-splitting pass whereas Harper passes the ball sideways when he 'creates' things. Matejovsky has far superior positional strength, he uses the ball far better, puts better pressure on players when we are defending and strikes the ball better than Harper both when passing and shooting - his technique is superior.

i think the point is moot on matejovski and harps-both bring alot to any side could rgue it either way in ter4ms of their perfiormances for reading last season.
my raised eyebrows are mainly at you saying cisse and convey are both better players than the eyebrowed one which i simply cannot agree with, love them both though i do.

[Ian Royal]

I'm very interested in this marvelous defensive contribution Matejovsky makes. I generally saw him make late tackles giving away silly free kicks inside our half.

[kwik-silva]

I'm very interested in this marvelous defensive contribution Matejovsky makes. I generally saw him make late tackles giving away silly free kicks inside our half.

at least he does tackle, thats more than some of our players... I remember times when we didn't even put a foot in (Keane's tottenham goal stands out)

[Southbank Old Boy]

What a bizare twist of events, I find myself agreeing with IR and Brendy in the space of just a few posts.

Harper is without doubt currently our best midfielder. Marek has the ability to surpass him but he has to make a real impact, as opposed to last season where he flattered to deceive a bit (which wasn't hard to do with confidence so low throughout the squad).

Marek showed he was willing to make a tackle, he just wasn't very good at it and was forever giving away silly fouls.

[Ian Royal]

I'm very interested in this marvelous defensive contribution Matejovsky makes. I generally saw him make late tackles giving away silly free kicks inside our half.

at least he does tackle, thats more than some of our players... I remember times when we didn't even put a foot in (Keane's tottenham goal stands out)

I'd rather a player like Harper rarely makes tackles and tries to hold up and disrupt play, than a player like Marek sluggishly goes after a player and brings them down 30 - 40 yards from goal.

Regardless I think Marek will be excellent and I think Harper is very good.

Personally I'm starting to see Harper as potential replacement captain when Murty steps down and a candidate for 10 seasons at the club and a testimonial.

[Archie's penalty]

I am a huge fan of Harper for - Boro away, Wigan at home and most importantly Liverpool at home.

Harps has been at the club since I was finishing uni so for almost all of my adult life.

I really like Kitson but I would be most sad to see Harps going than any other player in the squad (apart from maybe Doyle who I think is amazing).

I even remember Harps' debut way back in the ether - at home to Wigan in 2001 wasn't it?

Harps = Reading legend without a doubt.

[madreadingfan]

I am a huge fan of Harper for - Boro away, Wigan at home and most importantly Liverpool at home.

Harps has been at the club since I was finishing uni so for almost all of my adult life.

I really like Kitson but I would be most sad to see Harps going than any other player in the squad (apart from maybe Doyle who I think is amazing).

I even remember Harps' debut way back in the ether - at home to Wigan in 2001 wasn't it?

Harps = Reading legend without a doubt.

Agreed. A royals legend!!

[IMAMATEOFJOVSKY]

What a bizare twist of events, I find myself agreeing with IR and Brendy in the space of just a few posts.

Harper is without doubt currently our best midfielder. Marek has the ability to surpass him but he has to make a real impact, as opposed to last season where he flattered to deceive a bit (which wasn't hard to do with confidence so low throughout the squad).

Marek showed he was willing to make a tackle, he just wasn't very good at it and was forever giving away silly fouls.

If Harpers our best midfielder - no wonder we're f**ked! What does he do on the field thats incisive and makes the difference? and postage stamp answers are all that are needed - think the word "nothing" fits on a postage stamp

[winchester_royal]

I am a huge fan of Harper for - Boro away, Wigan at home and most importantly Liverpool at home.

Harps has been at the club since I was finishing uni so for almost all of my adult life.

I really like Kitson but I would be most sad to see Harps going than any other player in the squad (apart from maybe Doyle who I think is amazing).

I even remember Harps' debut way back in the ether - at home to Wigan in 2001 wasn't it?

Harps = Reading legend without a doubt.

Forster = Reading legend also.

However that does not mean it is/was in the team's best interests to keep them.

Marek is a better player than Harper, therefore we should be looking to build the midfield around him.....and I am worried we will try and buildit around Harper, and drop MM

[Ian Royal]

Forster's contribution to the team was going nowhere and he spent half his time injured.

Harper is still in his prime and there is interest from teams better than us. Thats something Ipswich weren't when they went after Forster. So no comparison for me, especially as Forster was at the club less time.

Forster wouldn't get in my list of Reading legends. Very very good player for us at his best, but not a legend.

[brendywendy]

I'm very interested in this marvelous defensive contribution Matejovsky makes. I generally saw him make late tackles giving away silly free kicks inside our half.

if you are refering to my comments
i was refering to the fact that marek does tackle-sometimes this doesnt come off-but at least he puts his foot in
IMO this makes him a better tackler than harps-whose tackles last season number in single figures

[kwik-silva]

I'm very interested in this marvelous defensive contribution Matejovsky makes. I generally saw him make late tackles giving away silly free kicks inside our half.

if you are refering to my comments
i was refering to the fact that marek does tackle-sometimes this doesnt come off-but at least he puts his foot in
IMO this makes him a better tackler than harps-whose tackles last season number in single figures

Yeah, MM might give away fouls, but at least he went for the tackle, more than alot of our players, and if more players got stuck in, then maybe there wouldn't be so many MM fouls, as he wouldn't be doing so many

[Bill Oddie's Beard]

I'm very interested in this marvelous defensive contribution Matejovsky makes. I generally saw him make late tackles giving away silly free kicks inside our half.

if you are refering to my comments
i was refering to the fact that marek does tackle-sometimes this doesnt come off-but at least he puts his foot in
IMO this makes him a better tackler than harps-whose tackles last season number in single figures

Yeah, MM might give away fouls, but at least he went for the tackle, more than alot of our players, and if more players got stuck in, then maybe there wouldn't be so many MM fouls, as he wouldn't be doing so many

YEAH!

[brendywendy]

What a bizare twist of events, I find myself agreeing with IR and Brendy in the space of just a few posts.

Harper is without doubt currently our best midfielder. Marek has the ability to surpass him but he has to make a real impact, as opposed to last season where he flattered to deceive a bit (which wasn't hard to do with confidence so low throughout the squad).

Marek showed he was willing to make a tackle, he just wasn't very good at it and was forever giving away silly fouls.

im retiring

it wont get any better than this for me.

[brendywendy]

What a bizare twist of events, I find myself agreeing with IR and Brendy in the space of just a few posts.

Harper is without doubt currently our best midfielder. Marek has the ability to surpass him but he has to make a real impact, as opposed to last season where he flattered to deceive a bit (which wasn't hard to do with confidence so low throughout the squad).

Marek showed he was willing to make a tackle, he just wasn't very good at it and was forever giving away silly fouls.

If Harpers our best midfielder - no wonder we're f**ked! What does he do on the field thats incisive and makes the difference? and postage stamp answers are all that are needed - think the word "nothing" fits on a postage stamp

score

pass

cross

harry

run

wave arms

[kwik-silva]

What a bizare twist of events, I find myself agreeing with IR and Brendy in the space of just a few posts.

Harper is without doubt currently our best midfielder. Marek has the ability to surpass him but he has to make a real impact, as opposed to last season where he flattered to deceive a bit (which wasn't hard to do with confidence so low throughout the squad).

Marek showed he was willing to make a tackle, he just wasn't very good at it and was forever giving away silly fouls.

If Harpers our best midfielder - no wonder we're f**ked! What does he do on the field thats incisive and makes the difference? and postage stamp answers are all that are needed - think the word "nothing" fits on a postage stamp

score

pass

cross

harry

run

wave arms

He doesn't score that many goals, or cross the ball... I would definatley agree with the last two or three.. Passing is just across or backwards, and can never or has never play(ed) a killer ball

[brendywendy]

If Harpers our best midfielder - no wonder we're f**ked! What does he do on the field thats incisive and makes the difference? and postage stamp answers are all that are needed - think the word "nothing" fits on a postage stamp

score

pass

cross

harry

run

wave arms

He doesn't score that many goals, or cross the ball... I would definatley agree with the last two or three.. Passing is just across or backwards, and can never or has never play(ed) a killer ball

lita goal Vs man city

defence split by harps

cant remember others but ill guarantee there were some

[kwik-silva]

lita goal Vs man city

defence split by harps

cant remember others but ill guarantee there were some

Ok then, he doesn't play enough by anyones standard, if he's going to be a truely great CM he has to make stuff happen, he's got to have that spark, which I don't think he suggests

[Sarah Star]

It's been suggested to me, and I don't see any reason to doubt them, that Harper does more off the ball and that this generally goes unnoticed.

[kwik-silva]

It's been suggested to me, and I don't see any reason to doubt them, that Harper does more off the ball and that this generally goes unnoticed.

Yes... he waves his arms more...