New Owners - Redwood Watch

[Sutekh]

Yeah I’d even argue our squad is too big - blocking the path for some of the academy lads imo

Ian’s missed a couple as well - Rushesha and Okine Peters

I’d have preferred to have let Tiv and JOP go (though can understand why Tiv was signed at the time) and let Spencer/Sackey/Borgnis come through

Rushesha, Spencer and Borgnis look to have something about them but not convinced by OkinePeters or Sackey - as yet.

[Snowflake Royal]

Yeah I’d even argue our squad is too big - blocking the path for some of the academy lads imo

Ian’s missed a couple as well - Rushesha and Okine Peters

I’d have preferred to have let Tiv and JOP go (though can understand why Tiv was signed at the time) and let Spencer/Sackey/Borgnis come through

Left out JOP deliberately for you.

Did forget Rushesha, but then it sometimes seems like Noel has too (presumably he's delegated cup games)

[Snowflake Royal]

Yeah I’d even argue our squad is too big - blocking the path for some of the academy lads imo

Ian’s missed a couple as well - Rushesha and Okine Peters

I’d have preferred to have let Tiv and JOP go (though can understand why Tiv was signed at the time) and let Spencer/Sackey/Borgnis come through

Rushesha, Spencer and Borgnis look to have something about them but not convinced by OkinePeters or Sackey - as yet.

I don’t get Sackey. He's not bad by any means. Big, strong, tidy on the ball, good technique... I just don’t know what his role is or what he brings to the table.

I'd say DM, but we don’t play him there. He certainly doesn't look like an AM to me. Or winger. He doesn’t seem a fullback.

Not sure he's got the energy for Savageesque box to box terrier.

But then I felt like that about Garcia... not good enough defender to be a full back, but looked like he didn't know what to do when attacking. And he's started to show more ideas taking people on... so

[windermereROYAL]

That Evans looks a big lad, he could put himself about a bit, but then again so is Kelvin.

[Hound]

Agreed on Sackey. He looks quite good but not sure where he’d fit. I’m not big on the loan thing but he’s one id like to see play elsewhere for a bit

Spencer def seems more defensive and Borgnis has good speed and energy from the little I’ve seen of them

Evans looked interesting. Certainly more of a ‘target man’ than our other 3 seem to be. Would like to see him get some good time in cup games etc

[Clyde1998]

Seemingly no-one else on here went to the Brain Carey Q&A yesterday, so some quick points:

1. In my view, he seemed much more grounded and realistic than Couhig; Jacobson and Trosclair. He believed we needed a period of stability to recover from the Dai ownership and we're having to recover the balance of the squad. Doesn't seem to think we'll be seriously competing this season.
2. He described building a team like making a cake. Recounted Selles not being happy in the 2023-24 pre-season with performances, but noted the team hadn't got all the ingredients and wasn't in the oven yet. Noted Leyton Orient started very slowly last season, but reached the play-off final.
3. Greg Double, who was hosting, asked my multiple questions on my behalf: one related to market inflation as a result of Birmingham's and Wrexham's spending in the league (Greg also mentioned Huddersfield). Carey said the top League One out of contract players are now getting salaries comparable to Championship salaries from five years ago, which makes it difficult to do deals within the league's financial rules. However, he pointed out we benefitted heavily with the sale of Sam Smith.
4. Apparently both Leigertwood and Jacobson seem to know a huge amount of people within the game, which helps us.
5. Says the club are looking for good characters and one bad character (including from non-players) can upset everything. Feels culture is highly important.
6. Most players rumoured with us during the summer were on a club list, but didn't seriously consider bringing any former players back.
7. Very happy with the academy situation, but noted we lost a lot of players throughout the latter Dai years. Apparently we have the lowest Category One expenditure, but the eighth best productivity (not specified what that meant specifically though).
8. The club doesn't have many scouts and acknowledged data was needed to help. AI gives player ratings and cost estimates; helps with identifying international signings. Recognised any data requires context: low number of games, injury records, etc. Later said the data analysis is two-way - so both management and the data can recommend changes, issues, potential priorities, etc. Feels AI provides a different take and can suggest how individual players could impact league position. AI being used across all club departments. Apparently an official commercial deal launch is coming soon.
9. The club treat loan players as if they're our own player. Loanees won't play unless they deserve to.
10. Seemed to suggest outgoing loans are further down the line (ie. not this season), with U21 players still being required for some first team depth. He's happy with the impact they've had when they've played. Apparently Andre Garcia has had a growth spurt in the summer and this needs to be managed. Impressed by the characters, focus, determination of our younger players and feels they're more equipped to develop and play well than previous generations. Management of load, recovery and development needs to be considered for young players.
11. Very happy with Lewis Wing, but does wonder if he would show up well on data.
12. Doesn't feel there's been a shift in mentality or tactics this season.
13. Disappointed to lose all players. Smith and Knibbs were apparently vital in changing the environment at the club (would be in early, stay late, do extra work, etc). Felt the off field issues brought the group together. Believes Wareham wanted regular football (apparently there was an agreement between Reading and Exeter); Craig wanted to explore too.
14. Feels Bearwood is a massive attraction. Apparently Sheffield United don't want players to see their training ground before signing for the club!
15. He's been very unhappy with the EFL's punishment of the club, especially when it comes down to contract restrictions - players who could've had resell value were lost on free transfers. Young players can now be offered meaningful deals and the club would go to tribunal for fees. Apparently we completed 47(?) deals within this window, with him saying most should've been done across a year - not a couple of months.
16. Club prioritised free transfers first, but market changes made things difficult. Paudie O'Connor seems to be intended to be our primary centre-back. The changes to the Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) rules affected our business, especially regarding owner funding, which is a factor as to why the club are heavily looking at commercial deals (a lot of staff have come in for this purpose). The club has the ability to sign players for fees in January; some of those players were wanted now, but the club couldn't do the deals. Doesn't feel the club has made changes to how they operate; they won't spend money for the sake of it.
17. When attracting players they sell them a vision: club's history; how players can improve; how players fit in; sell them a future; remind players the ownership situation has changed.
18. Feels better days are coming. Felt content about transfer criticism, as it meant the bigger issues no longer exist.

Apparently Greg Double is doing a proper write up of the Q&A, so I'm happy to post as much as I have.

[Hound]

An interesting read. Thanks

[Snowflake Royal]

Appreciated Clyde

[Vision]

Seemingly no-one else on here went to the Brain Carey Q&A yesterday, so some quick points:

1. In my view, he seemed much more grounded and realistic than Couhig; Jacobson and Trosclair. He believed we needed a period of stability to recover from the Dai ownership and we're having to recover the balance of the squad. Doesn't seem to think we'll be seriously competing this season.
2. He described building a team like making a cake. Recounted Selles not being happy in the 2023-24 pre-season with performances, but noted the team hadn't got all the ingredients and wasn't in the oven yet. Noted Leyton Orient started very slowly last season, but reached the play-off final.
3. Greg Double, who was hosting, asked my multiple questions on my behalf: one related to market inflation as a result of Birmingham's and Wrexham's spending in the league (Greg also mentioned Huddersfield). Carey said the top League One out of contract players are now getting salaries comparable to Championship salaries from five years ago, which makes it difficult to do deals within the league's financial rules. However, he pointed out we benefitted heavily with the sale of Sam Smith.
4. Apparently both Leigertwood and Jacobson seem to know a huge amount of people within the game, which helps us.
5. Says the club are looking for good characters and one bad character (including from non-players) can upset everything. Feels culture is highly important.
6. Most players rumoured with us during the summer were on a club list, but didn't seriously consider bringing any former players back.
7. Very happy with the academy situation, but noted we lost a lot of players throughout the latter Dai years. Apparently we have the lowest Category One expenditure, but the eighth best productivity (not specified what that meant specifically though).
8. The club doesn't have many scouts and acknowledged data was needed to help. AI gives player ratings and cost estimates; helps with identifying international signings. Recognised any data requires context: low number of games, injury records, etc. Later said the data analysis is two-way - so both management and the data can recommend changes, issues, potential priorities, etc. Feels AI provides a different take and can suggest how individual players could impact league position. AI being used across all club departments. Apparently an official commercial deal launch is coming soon.
9. The club treat loan players as if they're our own player. Loanees won't play unless they deserve to.
10. Seemed to suggest outgoing loans are further down the line (ie. not this season), with U21 players still being required for some first team depth. He's happy with the impact they've had when they've played. Apparently Andre Garcia has had a growth spurt in the summer and this needs to be managed. Impressed by the characters, focus, determination of our younger players and feels they're more equipped to develop and play well than previous generations. Management of load, recovery and development needs to be considered for young players.
11. Very happy with Lewis Wing, but does wonder if he would show up well on data.
12. Doesn't feel there's been a shift in mentality or tactics this season.
13. Disappointed to lose all players. Smith and Knibbs were apparently vital in changing the environment at the club (would be in early, stay late, do extra work, etc). Felt the off field issues brought the group together. Believes Wareham wanted regular football (apparently there was an agreement between Reading and Exeter); Craig wanted to explore too.
14. Feels Bearwood is a massive attraction. Apparently Sheffield United don't want players to see their training ground before signing for the club!
15. He's been very unhappy with the EFL's punishment of the club, especially when it comes down to contract restrictions - players who could've had resell value were lost on free transfers. Young players can now be offered meaningful deals and the club would go to tribunal for fees. Apparently we completed 47(?) deals within this window, with him saying most should've been done across a year - not a couple of months.
16. Club prioritised free transfers first, but market changes made things difficult. Paudie O'Connor seems to be intended to be our primary centre-back. The changes to the Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) rules affected our business, especially regarding owner funding, which is a factor as to why the club are heavily looking at commercial deals (a lot of staff have come in for this purpose). The club has the ability to sign players for fees in January; some of those players were wanted now, but the club couldn't do the deals. Doesn't feel the club has made changes to how they operate; they won't spend money for the sake of it.
17. When attracting players they sell them a vision: club's history; how players can improve; how players fit in; sell them a future; remind players the ownership situation has changed.
18. Feels better days are coming. Felt content about transfer criticism, as it meant the bigger issues no longer exist.

Apparently Greg Double is doing a proper write up of the Q&A, so I'm happy to post as much as I have.

Impressed you've got the capacity to remember all that. Very much appreciated.

Heaven knows where we'd be without Carey. That tiny window of the transfer window that got us Wing, Smith, Knibbs and Savage was hugely impressive. Credit where it's due to the silver tongued Bowen for managing to sell them an absolute dud.

[Clyde1998]

Impressed you've got the capacity to remember all that. Very much appreciated.

Heaven knows where we'd be without Carey. That tiny window of the transfer window that got us Wing, Smith, Knibbs and Savage was hugely impressive. Credit where it's due to the silver tongued Bowen for managing to sell them an absolute dud.

I was taking notes . Noticed with a few of these events I'd forgotten most of it once leaving, so decided to bring a pen and paper like I was a journalist!

Carey definitely seems to know what he's doing and I would be very concerned if he left.

[Esteban]

Cheers Clyde. Did he happen to mention anything about contract renewals? Specifically for those players in the first team that are out of contract next summer?

[rabidbee]

Makes you wonder how we’ve held on to Carey through all of the problems.

[Snowflake Royal]

Impressed you've got the capacity to remember all that. Very much appreciated.

Heaven knows where we'd be without Carey. That tiny window of the transfer window that got us Wing, Smith, Knibbs and Savage was hugely impressive. Credit where it's due to the silver tongued Bowen for managing to sell them an absolute dud.

I was taking notes . Noticed with a few of these events I'd forgotten most of it once leaving, so decided to bring a pen and paper like I was a journalist!

Carey definitely seems to know what he's doing and I would be very concerned if he left.

That's some cracking note taking.

[Clyde1998]

Cheers Clyde. Did he happen to mention anything about contract renewals? Specifically for those players in the first team that are out of contract next summer?

He didn't specifically say anything about that. However the point about the 47 deals we did in this transfer window being work that should be happening over a whole year suggests they'll be looking at new contracts for players now the window has closed and spread the workload out across the season, especially as he's saying they want as much stability as possible.

That point about stability, also, is going to be a major factor as to why every non-loan signing we've made (except three of the U21 lads) has been at least two years, even when I'd argue 1+1 deals may have been more appropriate for certain players.

Impressed you've got the capacity to remember all that. Very much appreciated.

Heaven knows where we'd be without Carey. That tiny window of the transfer window that got us Wing, Smith, Knibbs and Savage was hugely impressive. Credit where it's due to the silver tongued Bowen for managing to sell them an absolute dud.

I was taking notes . Noticed with a few of these events I'd forgotten most of it once leaving, so decided to bring a pen and paper like I was a journalist!

Carey definitely seems to know what he's doing and I would be very concerned if he left.

That's some cracking note taking.

Thanks. I had four A5 pages of notes in my small (half-ish line size) handwriting, including a couple of things I didn't bother putting in that list (the international wildcards mentioned elsewhere; some comments on Bindon; Kelvin as a striker; stuff I worded poorly).

Was a bit concerned Carey would think I was a journalist, but obviously you were required to be a STAR member to get into the room!

[Brogue]

Cheers Clyde. Did he happen to mention anything about contract renewals? Specifically for those players in the first team that are out of contract next summer?

He didn't specifically say anything about that. However the point about the 47 deals we did in this transfer window being work that should be happening over a whole year suggests they'll be looking at new contracts for players now the window has closed and spread the workload out across the season, especially as he's saying they want as much stability as possible.

That point about stability, also, is going to be a major factor as to why every non-loan signing we've made (except three of the U21 lads) has been at least two years, even when I'd argue 1+1 deals may have been more appropriate for certain players.

I was taking notes . Noticed with a few of these events I'd forgotten most of it once leaving, so decided to bring a pen and paper like I was a journalist!

Carey definitely seems to know what he's doing and I would be very concerned if he left.

That's some cracking note taking.

Thanks. I had four A5 pages of notes in my small (half-ish line size) handwriting, including a couple of things I didn't bother putting in that list (the international wildcards mentioned elsewhere; some comments on Bindon; Kelvin as a striker; stuff I worded poorly).

Was a bit concerned Carey would think I was a journalist, but obviously you were required to be a STAR member to get into the room!

Anything on the new investors coming in?

[RoyalBlue]

Many thanks for your detailed notes Clyde.

He's been very unhappy with the EFL's punishment of the club, especially when it comes down to contract restrictions - players who could've had resell value were lost on free transfers.

And that is one of the many reasons why the EFL in its current form isn't fit for purpose. Far from helping clubs that are in financial crisis some of their ill thought out and poorly applied sanctions significantly exacerbate that crisis!

[Sutekh]

Many thanks for your detailed notes Clyde.

He's been very unhappy with the EFL's punishment of the club, especially when it comes down to contract restrictions - players who could've had resell value were lost on free transfers.

And that is one of the many reasons why the EFL in its current form isn't fit for purpose. Far from helping clubs that are in financial crisis some of their ill thought out and poorly applied sanctions significantly exacerbate that crisis!

Perhaps Reading should now take the FL to court over the issue.

[The Royal Forester]

I posted this the day after the Swindon game, but it got buried in the "Club Policies" index, so I thought I would repost it here.

I didn't think the audio commentary couldn't get any worse, until last night. the main commentor said "oh. it's a goal". in the middle of rabbiting on to his mate . He tried to hide his embarrassment by saying that it came out of the blue. RC said when he arrived that he aimed to improve Royals TV. Well, you have made it worse in my view. Rob may be able to watch in the USA and not listen to Tim and co. which will no doubt please him, by all accounts. TV commentary on audio does not work (unlike audio commentary on TV). As there no pictures we need a running commentary on what is happening on the pitch, not the drivel we are getting from Royals TV now. Why is the co-commentor always inaudible, doesn't he have a mike? If he does can someone turn it up, please. Please Rob, as most in the UK, who rely on Royals TV for their match enjoyment, can only listen and not watch the match, can we have BBC Berks back again as we got less drivel and more passion then?
What are your thoughts? Yes, I do know certain Anti Tim posters on here will shoot me down in flames,, but I would still like to here their views and if they have changed recently.