Nicky Hammond says

[rotherwick_royal]

Can't remember where I saw it but Coppell was quoted recently as saying defence was the priority. The way I read it was 'we're scoring enough goals but we're conceding too many'. Much as I'd like Zamora as an additional striker I can't see any new additions apart from maybe defence.

[Woodcote Royal]

It's not about bowing to Coppell's judgement because everyone knows it's supreme, it's about covering bases, ONE decent striker to give us 4 front line forwards and allowing Shane out would be ideal.

I hate the fact that Hammond has said 'Shane's performance on Tuesday' because it means nothing. It was against a Championship team, well below the standard we currently operate on a weekly basis. Not just that but Shane needs games.

I don't take issue with much of what you say but I don't think it's possible to cover every base yet still have scope for the likes of Long to make their mark.

We, RFC, have a deplorable record for getting our young players into the first team (only some of it justified by our rise from the lower leagues) whereas Coppell has few peers in the modern era.

If we'd had another experienced striker available last season when Kitson was injured would Doyle have got the chance that made him the player he is today

As I've said elsewhere, I would have been happy for Zamora to have come in and Shane gone out on loan but, in all probability, we would still get enough points to survive even if we had just one fit striker between now and the end of the season.

This way, whereas Darius Henderson failed to save Pardew the millions he was looking for, Shane Long still has very chance of doing it for Steve Coppell...................................given the man's previous record and our current standing, I'm very happy to bow to his superior judgement.

[Ian Royal]

Simple Simon says.....buy!

Shouldn't that be "Simple Colin says .....Buy! Buy! Buy!

[Top Flight]

Having Kitson and Convey back are like two new signings anyway. I actually don't think we are gonna sign anyone during this window.

I think Halford is probably our main target and Colchester want silly money for him. So that is starting to look unlikely. After that, who else is there? Having said that, I didn't expect Kitson and Doyle to be plucked by Coppell and Hammond so maybe there is someone out there for us that we haven't even thought about!

But a defender is definitely what we need. I reckon we will do most of our business in the summer. We will get one player in if we are lucky and that will probably be Halford if Colchester get real. But it doesn't help when you have Warnock pushing prices up because he just loves to waste money!

[PieEater]

[quote="Evening Post"]

He added: “With Dave Kitson back and the performance of Shane Long against Burnley, I don’t think we need a striker.â€

[Top Flight]

[quote="PieEater"][quote="Evening Post"]

He added: “With Dave Kitson back and the performance of Shane Long against Burnley, I don’t think we need a striker.â€

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

Having Kitson and Convey back are like two new signings anyway. I actually don't think we are gonna sign anyone during this window.

I think Halford is probably our main target and Colchester want silly money for him. So that is starting to look unlikely. After that, who else is there? Having said that, I didn't expect Kitson and Doyle to be plucked by Coppell and Hammond so maybe there is someone out there for us that we haven't even thought about!

But a defender is definitely what we need. I reckon we will do most of our business in the summer. We will get one player in if we are lucky and that will probably be Halford if Colchester get real. But it doesn't help when you have Warnock pushing prices up because he just loves to waste money!

Depends what COnvey we get back, I know he claims to have been carrying an injury, but Hunt's outperformed him considerabley since Convey dropped out.

Convey's confidence is obviously a vital part to his game, a few more bad games and fear he could lose it and it'll be back to the Convey from 2 seasons ago...

As for Hammond, how come Coppell's a legend for signing all these great players, when it's Hammond's in charge of transfers and the scouting departments and is considered a muppet?? Was Kevin Doyle not a great a buy?

[International Royal]

Having Kitson and Convey back are like two new signings anyway. I actually don't think we are gonna sign anyone during this window.

I think Halford is probably our main target and Colchester want silly money for him. So that is starting to look unlikely. After that, who else is there? Having said that, I didn't expect Kitson and Doyle to be plucked by Coppell and Hammond so maybe there is someone out there for us that we haven't even thought about!

But a defender is definitely what we need. I reckon we will do most of our business in the summer. We will get one player in if we are lucky and that will probably be Halford if Colchester get real. But it doesn't help when you have Warnock pushing prices up because he just loves to waste money!

Depends what COnvey we get back, I know he claims to have been carrying an injury, but Hunt's outperformed him considerabley since Convey dropped out.

Convey's confidence is obviously a vital part to his game, a few more bad games and fear he could lose it and it'll be back to the Convey from 2 seasons ago...

As for Hammond, how come Coppell's a legend for signing all these great players, when it's Hammond's in charge of transfers and the scouting departments and is considered a muppet?? Was Kevin Doyle not a great a buy?

They are a team behind the scenes, do you think they work on their own? The manager should get the credit because he certainly gets the blame.

Convoy will be fine, it's a completely different scenario now.

I suspect they will only sign someone if he is a 'Reading type player' who is available at the right price and will improve the squad. Kitson is the key coming back, now that is like a new signing. Some will say that's if stays healthy, on the other hand you could break the club record fee and the new signing breaks his leg in his first match - there's no difference.

[Forbury Lion]

[quote="PieEater"][quote="Evening Post"]

He added: “With Dave Kitson back and the performance of Shane Long against Burnley, I don’t think we need a striker.â€

[brendywendy]

Depends what COnvey we get back, I know he claims to have been carrying an injury, but Hunt's outperformed him considerabley since Convey dropped out.

if hunt couldnt outperform someone who was having a knee operation id be a little shocked.

he needs to outperform him when both are playing and fit
and in my view thatll never happen, hunt has been great cover, but convey will get back to his best, just you wait and see

[Only one Trevor Morley]

I dont think theres anyone out there who strikes me as a must have in terms of what we can realsticly hope to achieve. As there are only 16 games left this season we ideally want either a striker whop can perform in the Premiership or someone in the Championship who can step up. I'm convinced that there is anyone. Would Zamora really improve with us, he pretty good but would he actually better us. Wouldnt that be an Owusu-esque signing. Who else is there? Beattie - the same applies, Nugent - preston wont sell, ashley Young - off to Tottenham. Perhaps Marlon harewood? But hardly a form player..

AP mentions the rest of the season but I think we need to be looking at the longer term. Lets get someone who can develop further. The long point is a valid one - but surely thats not a reason to buy someone else.

[readingbedding]

I dont think theres anyone out there who strikes me as a must have in terms of what we can realsticly hope to achieve. As there are only 16 games left this season we ideally want either a striker whop can perform in the Premiership or someone in the Championship who can step up. I'm convinced that there is anyone. Would Zamora really improve with us, he pretty good but would he actually better us. Wouldnt that be an Owusu-esque signing. Who else is there? Beattie - the same applies, Nugent - preston wont sell, ashley Young - off to Tottenham. Perhaps Marlon harewood? But hardly a form player..

AP mentions the rest of the season but I think we need to be looking at the longer term. Lets get someone who can develop further. The long point is a valid one - but surely thats not a reason to buy someone else.

Harewood?

No way.

[Victor Meldrew]

It all sounds a bit confused to me.
On the one hand Hammond is saying that he and Steve have clear targets and then adds that not much is happening.
As I read things quite a bit has happened today in the transfer market.
This thing about foreigners and settling in-a certain Swede who has never played in English football did alright for Man Utd last Saturday didn't he?

Also Coppell emphasising the importance of staying in the Premiership above what happens in the FA Cup must mean that we will be strengthening doesn't it?

Lastly Royal Lady often makes the point about the promise by the club back in the Summer of significant signings.
That's why our season ticket prices,car park costs,programme costs and even the cost of a cup of tea all went up,to fund these very expensive trasfers.
This of course despite the enormous increase in TV money and capacity crowds at every league game.
I have no regrets at where we stand at this moment in the Premiership,quite the opposite,but if we don't strengthen then we run the risk of dropping down the table.
I'm not as pessimistic as our manager in thinking that we might still get relegated but at £500,000 (or whatever it is) differential for each finishing position in the division I feel that a bit of speculation in the transfer market could help us reap rewards in our finihing position and help build a stronger side for next season when the rewards are astronomical.

[Upper West?!?]

If Sonko or Inga or (god forbid) both were injured, we would struggle big time. The team must stregthen there, as it is the one thing that could put 40+ points at risk.

Regarding Nicky Hammond, he's not going to give anything away to the press. What's the point of signalling his strategy to his competitors?

I must admit that in the darker days before Coppell and Hammond's signings came through, I was calling for Hammond's head. I was of the view Convey was too much of a lightweight ... So, given my distinct lack of confidence was completely wrong, I'm now inclined to give Hammond the benefit of the doubt now.

[Horsham Royal]

Some will say that's if [Kitson] stays healthy, on the other hand you could break the club record fee and the new signing breaks his leg in his first match - there's no difference.

Leg breakings can happen to any player, but some players are more likely than others to pick up muscle related injuries. Unfortunatley Kits seems to be one of those players, whereas if Hammond/Coppell do their job right, a new signing should not be.

...a certain Swede who has never played in English football did alright for Man Utd last Saturday didn't he?

Maybe Scottish football is not so different to English football after all

[When Hicks went up...]

If Sonko or Inga or (god forbid) both were injured, we would struggle big time. The team must stregthen there, as it is the one thing that could put 40+ points at risk.

Regarding Nicky Hammond, he's not going to give anything away to the press. What's the point of signalling his strategy to his competitors?

I must admit that in the darker days before Coppell and Hammond's signings came through, I was calling for Hammond's head. I was of the view Convey was too much of a lightweight ... So, given my distinct lack of confidence was completely wrong, I'm now inclined to give Hammond the benefit of the doubt now.

Totally agree with your first point. And of course if you, I, and the half the people on here have thought this, I'm pretty sure Coppell and Hammond have.

These guys have proved themselves to be far more knowledgable about the game than any of us...so lets all just trust them, and back them whatever happens in the next three weeks.

[Silver Fox]

"There won't be any outs, unless something really suits us or we sign a couple that we're targetting."

So there could be some outs then Nicky !!! What a fcuking muppet that bloke is.

He speaks very highly of you

[Gordons Cumming]

These guys have proved themselves to be far more knowledgable about the game than any of us....

You don't say....................

[RoyalBlue]

I suspect we are going to be priced out of the market in this window. A club(s) offering £7M for Ashley Young is an absolute joke!

The biggest joke of all is the clown Moronho moaning about how high the transfer fees are in this country. Whilst you may not have invaded Poland Jose, in the words of Basil Fawlty 'You started it'!

Really can't see our board sanctioning offers at the level the current market is at so I guess we've got to rely on Sir Steve spotting another star or stars that others have missed and snapping them up for a bargain.

[When Hicks went up...]

These guys have proved themselves to be far more knowledgable about the game than any of us....

You don't say....................

To you and I it might be stating the obvious, but clearly it's not for most Nobbers given the amount of crap that gets posted on here...