Oh my god terrible news regarding Brynjar

[FiNeRaIn]

Happy with this news. Anyone who isn't hasn't been watching Reading the past few years. Stable, reliable performer who always does a job, sometimes he produces out of the ordinary performances like the FA cup games. More than happy he's here another year.

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

But for Coppell Gunnar would be gone, he was given another year by SC, which he accepted, whilst the rest were allowed to leave, I seem to recall he was injured at the time, so SC had no need to give him a new year deal. Many questioned it at the time, but Gunnar has always given his all when he has played.

Well worth another year again, can give experience, and cover in 3/4 positions.

Woody will you ever post without mentioning SC, I doubt it. it is a season ago now, time to move on, SC has helped bring through many of these youngsters, I posted a while ago that the best fro us would have been SC movinmg upstairs , and a young manager coming in, Parky was my call then, perhaps Maccy was the real answer at team level all along, but how many would have called it. Crap at Slough and Woking by all accounts.

[Ian Royal]

Wasn't he given a deal by Hammond after Coppell left but before Rodgers took over?

Can't see Coppell dealing with contract renewals when he always knew he was leaving at the end of the season.

[Ian Royal]

Because we already need another new centreback ideally so there is no point in having 3 / 4 and several others who can play there.

We already need a new right back so there is no point in having him as cover for there.

We already have plenty of central midfielders with strong defensive qualities.

He fills no gaps where there isn't already cover or a new signing required anyway.

If I was your mother I would be seriously worried about you. Does your wife ever trust you to do the weekly shop

We would be better off off loading at least 2 other players rather than Gunnarsson...................................how about Cisse, Marek, Cummings and Ingemarsson for starters?

If you read what I've said elsewhere, I'd also get rid of Ingimarsson, Marek & probably Cisse, although I'd consider keeping him as emergency CB & midfield cover.

Don't think there's any sense in getting rid of Cummings seeing as he's only had one really poor game, against an excellent winger, when the whole team was shite. Especially when we already need a new right back unless we can keep Griffin.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Fantastic news regarding Brynjar. Quality servant to the club and a top professional on the pitch,

[Woodcote Royal]

Because we already need another new centreback ideally so there is no point in having 3 / 4 and several others who can play there.

We already need a new right back so there is no point in having him as cover for there.

We already have plenty of central midfielders with strong defensive qualities.

He fills no gaps where there isn't already cover or a new signing required anyway.

If I was your mother I would be seriously worried about you. Does your wife ever trust you to do the weekly shop

We would be better off off loading at least 2 other players rather than Gunnarsson...................................how about Cisse, Marek, Cummings and Ingemarsson for starters?

If you read what I've said elsewhere, I'd also get rid of Ingimarsson, Marek & probably Cisse, although I'd consider keeping him as emergency CB & midfield cover.

Don't think there's any sense in getting rid of Cummings seeing as he's only had one really poor game, against an excellent winger, when the whole team was shite. Especially when we already need a new right back unless we can keep Griffin.

I'm not a Cummings hater but if Bryn already gets the nod over him at right back, remains a regular starter in central midfield AND also covers at centre back, which one of the two is the most attractive option should we be looking to reduce the wage bill

Gunnarsson can be no2 right back 4th centre half whilst still making strong claims for a start in central midfield.

Believe me, when SJM wants to cut the wage bill Bryn won't even be close to making his shortlist.

[Woodcote Royal]

But for Coppell Gunnar would be gone, he was given another year by SC, which he accepted, whilst the rest were allowed to leave, I seem to recall he was injured at the time, so SC had no need to give him a new year deal. Many questioned it at the time, but Gunnar has always given his all when he has played.

Well worth another year again, can give experience, and cover in 3/4 positions.

Woody will you ever post without mentioning SC, I doubt it. it is a season ago now, time to move on, SC has helped bring through many of these youngsters, I posted a while ago that the best fro us would have been SC movinmg upstairs , and a young manager coming in, Parky was my call then, perhaps Maccy was the real answer at team level all along, but how many would have called it. Crap at Slough and Woking by all accounts.

Coppell upstairs would have been a bigger nightmare than having him downstairs for his last 2 seasons. Squeeky's been doing a briliant job for years and long may it continue. What the fcuk would Coppell have done that Hammond wouldn't do better?

What the fcuk did Coppell do for for our youngsters other than send them out on loan so they couldn't threaten the places of his under performing favourites?

Coppell leaves and within months Gyphi is a "special" player who wouldn't have stayed had we been relegated and will be in the Prem within 12 month with or without us

When Coppell's arse lickers move on so will I.

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

you will never move on tho, Coppell knows what he is doing with young players, it is all a matter of timing. Had we gone down this season how would you have blamed Coppell, I feel sure you would have. There would only have been one person to blame had we gone down this season, and he was rapidly replaced by JM.

I seem to recall you wanted Henry back from Millwall last spring, and playing, well he came back and what a big difference he has made.

Time you moved on and enjoyed what we have now, rather than keep carping on about what you feel were SC failures.

[Terminal Boardom]

No complaints from me if he signs. 1 Brynjar Gunnarsson > 100 Stephen Hunt's

[Ian Royal]

Gunnarsson over Cummings would be very shortsighted given their comparative ages IMO. And I don't think Gunnarsson could be relied upon for more than 3 or 4 game bursts at right back, whereas Cummings could conceivably play all season no problem, providing Brian can get the best out of him.

I'm not going to throw a hissy fit because he's looking like getting a deal. It's not like I think he's a bad player. I just think he's surplus to requirements and potentially holding back some of the younger players who are the future because of his experience.

Anyway, no one has to agree with me. It's just my opinion and no one has brought up anything I hadn't considered in forming it.

[PEARCEY]

Gunnarsson over Cummings would be very shortsighted given their comparative ages IMO. And I don't think Gunnarsson could be relied upon for more than 3 or 4 game bursts at right back, whereas Cummings could conceivably play all season no problem, providing Brian can get the best out of him.

I'm not going to throw a hissy fit because he's looking like getting a deal. It's not like I think he's a bad player. I just think he's surplus to requirements and potentially holding back some of the younger players who are the future because of his experience.

Anyway, no one has to agree with me. It's just my opinion and no one has brought up anything I hadn't considered in forming it.

We have a youngish squad and I think an old head like Gunnar would be no bad thing. We do need to trim the squad but less flexible players like Matejovsky and Cisse are more likely to go. Ivar's future also looks in doubt as does Scott Davies's. I can see all four of them leaving. I doubt whether there would be a need for many more to go beyond that.

[Ian Royal]

As I said Pearcey, three of those should also probably go.

[Sun Tzu]

Sad what concussion can do to you.

I bet Bryn really believes it as well !

Not more nonsense from a typical source surely but, hey, "respect" ref

.

Hook, line and sinker

I have you in my keep net Woodcote.

[The whole year inn]

what players are left that featured in the championship winning team?

Ingi

Gunnar

Long

????

[RoyalBlue]

Really good news.

A class player who makes up for his fading/lack of speed with his quality and 100% commitment.

Great moment v Geordies when he waited for a forward to close him and then calmly lobbed a great pass over him.

[Woodcote Royal]

you will never move on tho, Coppell knows what he is doing with young players, it is all a matter of timing. Had we gone down this season how would you have blamed Coppell, I feel sure you would have. There would only have been one person to blame had we gone down this season, and he was rapidly replaced by JM.

I seem to recall you wanted Henry back from Millwall last spring, and playing, well he came back and what a big difference he has made.

Time you moved on and enjoyed what we have now, rather than keep carping on about what you feel were SC failures.

Well you got one thing right.

Had we been relegated this season Coppell would have been almost as culpable as Rodgers.

This season has shown beyond all doubt just how laughable remarks such as "Coppell knows what he's doing with youngsters" are.

His handling of Sigurdsson was either seriously blinkered or a disgrace and, given how well Karacan played before Harper was re-instated after injury, I believe it was the latter.

Furthermore, lets not forget how well Jay Tabb has been performing after finally getting an extended run in the team.

All of a sudden we have one of the strongest central midfield squads in the division and all that's changed is Howard for Harper and McDermott for Coppell. Go figure

Where exactly would you place Harper now amongst Sigurdsson, Karacan, Tabb, Howard, Gunnarsson, Cisse and Marek after five years in which he would have started most weeks even if he'd lost a leg on the way to the ground?


Coppell was only interested in the youngsters in his team and did everything in his power to prevent players outside his own clique from getting into the starting 11.This included refusing to spend his transfer budget on players who would have been good enough to keep us in the Prem because that would have threatened the places of his favourites. He's been gone less than a year and I would only want Doyle and Marcus back from last seasons over paid and over played starting 11 that couldn't buy a home win as it nose dived to oblivion with it's manager scratching his head rather than wielding the axe.

"I'm Steve Coppell and this is my team" I bet he asked Radio Berks for a copy before he left

We couldn't even have established cover for Shorey until he'd actually left the building so Hunt had to start last season at left back resulting in a thumping away to ultimately relegated Charlton.

I realise we have no shortage of fans like you who would still think the sun shone out of Coppell's backside if he bought a shotgun and fired both barrels through the window of the local supermarket, and I've always tried to respect those who chose to set up camp in his parking space but what fcuking right do you have to tell me to move on

I've paid for my seat for every home game for the last decade and have no plans to give it up whether work allows me to us it or not. I think that gives me the right to state my views on Coppell's wasted years and how he needlessly threw away the best part of 20 years it took the Chairman to get us into the top flight.............................stick me on ignore if you don't like it.

[Royal_Delight]

Why would this be a terrible news? Showed us what he could do this season despite his age and is always trying. Performed extremely well against Liverpool in one of the best matches the club and supporters have seen in a long time.

Would do both the team and himself well if he stays. Can offer guidance for the youngster such as Karacan, Sig etc... Great back-up if needed. This list could go on.....and I for one, am very happy that he is staying.

Perhaps a coaching career with the team in the near future?

[Wimb]

Couple of things....

Well you got one thing right.

His handling of Sigurdsson was either seriously blinkered or a disgrace and, given how well Karacan played before Harper was re-instated after injury, I believe it was the latter.

Possibly would agree on the Karacan point but a team with Harper in it also smashed Bristol City and got many other good results in a team that finished 4th.

As for the Sig, I hardly think throwing him into the mix at a young age with little first team experience in a concerted promotion effort would have been wise. Yes it could have worked, but even such talents as David Beckham, John Terry, Jermaine Defoe etc have all been out on loan and arguably come back better as a result of their loan spells. Very very few players make the grade straight away and I think for the Sig it's been far better for him to come into a team with lower expectations and lots of other young players. Just opinion but there you go.

Furthermore, lets not forget how well Jay Tabb has been performing after finally getting an extended run in the team.

If I remember correctly it was SSC himself who started with Tabb in the centre during the final games of last season, including both Burnley games.

All of a sudden we have one of the strongest central midfield squads in the division and all that's changed is Howard for Harper and McDermott for Coppell. Go figure

Where exactly would you place Harper now amongst Sigurdsson, Karacan, Tabb, Howard, Gunnarsson, Cisse and Marek after five years in which he would have started most weeks even if he'd lost a leg on the way to the ground?

Not very fair a comparison really and it's besides the point as Harper has left the club. As for a strong central midfield, I'd consider a team that finished 4th to generally have 'one of the strongest central midfield squads in the division'

Coppell was only interested in the youngsters in his team and did everything in his power to prevent players outside his own clique from getting into the starting 11.This included refusing to spend his transfer budget on players who would have been good enough to keep us in the Prem because that would have threatened the places of his favourites. He's been gone less than a year and I would only want Doyle and Marcus back from last seasons over paid and over played starting 11 that couldn't buy a home win as it nose dived to oblivion with it's manager scratching his head rather than wielding the axe.

I really believe a manager such as SSC who has managed us to such success would pick the best XI players in his opinion. Perhaps he waited too long for others to come back into form but I find the notion that he 'blocked' players to be a bit silly. Similarly he's admitted himself he had perhaps too much faith in some players and that he was culpable for some of our 2nd season failures.

We couldn't even have established cover for Shorey until he'd actually left the building so Hunt had to start last season at left back resulting in a thumping away to ultimately relegated Charlton.

As many others have stated, it's stupidity to buy a player before you've sold one of your high earners. All it would have taken was a big injury to shorey and bam there goes 3.5 million and we still have to pay 20k a week or whatever it was. As it turned out no club made a satisfactory offer until the very eve of the season. Armstrong was signed swiftly after Shoreys eventual departure and was POS so Id say good move to be honest.

Of course you have your right to an opinion on SSC and his management methods and I'm sure everyone respects the efforts you've made as a ST holder. Still I think you've been a bit harsh on the bloke considering his record at the club.

[brendywendy]

What the fcuk did Coppell do for for our youngsters other than send them out on loan so they couldn't threaten the places of his under performing favourites?

LOL

it is the loans that made them ready for 1st team football
and is the same policy now being employed by BMcD with our newer fringe yoofs

[W&E Royal]

Is Woodcote the same person as Royalee by any chance or are they lovers?