SQUADWATCH - Summer 2026

[WestYorksRoyal]

I've generally not been a fan of the Wing-Savage partnership. They both have a tendency to go for Hollywood passes but neither specialise in ball carrying or simple passes to retain possession and control.

It was workable with Mbengue and Bindon behind them, as we could play a high line and had two progressive CBs who could help us retain control and find them in dangerous positions. But last season they looked lost; the gameplan was pass to Wing and hope. Tbf be got >10 goals and assists, but he was never as convincing as the previous two years.

A team with Rinomhota adding more defensive screening and ball carrying, plus a progressive CB in Ward, and proper runners to find out wide, makes me hopeful we'll see peak Wing this season. And Savage's role in the squad is backup to him.

[Sutekh]

Amazed Savage hasn’t been sold yet.

[Brogue]

So this is not good news…

Our last two players still not registered and we can’t sign anyone else at the moment. He goes on to say this is not an admin issue on Reading side. So can only assume the EFL are not allowing us to register them because that would breach SCMP?

I’d heard money was tight and we needed kelvins money before we could bring anyone else in. But I wasn’t aware we were not able to register our last two signings

This guy is usually 100% spot on by the way, he definitely has a very good record of being itk.

Very worrying if true

[Brogue]

Although Ramy has just put this out so I guess it’s a who do you believe on this one.

[traff]

Well if Ramy says all is OK then I really am worried.

[mikey_1871]

I'd trust Ramy on this rather than an anonymous chap on twitter, regardless of track record.

[southcote89]

I'd trust Ramy on this rather than an anonymous chap on twitter, regardless of track record.

Unless he's getting fed poop. Or they're trying to flush out the leaks.

Whichever it is we need bodies in and fast.

[windermereROYAL]

I'd trust Ramy on this rather than an anonymous chap on twitter, regardless of track record.

Unless he's getting fed poop. Or they're trying to flush out the leaks.

Whichever it is we need bodies in and fast.

A striker yes, what other areas?

[Brogue]

I'd trust Ramy on this rather than an anonymous chap on twitter, regardless of track record.

Unless he's getting fed poop. Or they're trying to flush out the leaks.

Whichever it is we need bodies in and fast.

A striker yes, what other areas?

Well, we only have 2 senior centre backs...

[Stranded]

So this is not good news…

Our last two players still not registered and we can’t sign anyone else at the moment. He goes on to say this is not an admin issue on Reading side. So can only assume the EFL are not allowing us to register them because that would breach SCMP?

I’d heard money was tight and we needed kelvins money before we could bring anyone else in. But I wasn’t aware we were not able to register our last two signings

This guy is usually 100% spot on by the way, he definitely has a very good record of being itk.

Very worrying if true

He has a good track record but my key issue with this take is - the deals are clearly concluded between us, the player and the selling club - so at this stage we are liable for those players salaries. If we cannot register anybody, then surely this is an embargo and as such we should be listed on the EFL embargo page.

Also if there was any doubt that either of those players would not be able to play I doubt we would have risked them in pre-season games.

None of the above of course stops him being correct.

[Sutekh]

It seems this club just stumbles from one mess to another!

I’ll go with Ramy, as he should have valid club sources and have been in touch with them today before posting anything.

[Sutekh]

So this is not good news…

Our last two players still not registered and we can’t sign anyone else at the moment. He goes on to say this is not an admin issue on Reading side. So can only assume the EFL are not allowing us to register them because that would breach SCMP?

I’d heard money was tight and we needed kelvins money before we could bring anyone else in. But I wasn’t aware we were not able to register our last two signings

This guy is usually 100% spot on by the way, he definitely has a very good record of being itk.

Very worrying if true

He has a good track record but my key issue with this take is - the deals are clearly concluded between us, the player and the selling club - so at this stage we are liable for those players salaries. If we cannot register anybody, then surely this is an embargo and as such we should be listed on the EFL embargo page.

Also if there was any doubt that either of those players would not be able to play I doubt we would have risked them in pre-season games.

None of the above of course stops him being correct.

Perhaps there were issues which are now resolved. Shame you can’t tell by Stokes & Malife playing in preseason games or not.

[traff]

I'd trust Ramy on this rather than an anonymous chap on twitter, regardless of track record.

I'm not convinced he could find a story in a library.

[Esteban]

So this is not good news…

Our last two players still not registered and we can’t sign anyone else at the moment. He goes on to say this is not an admin issue on Reading side. So can only assume the EFL are not allowing us to register them because that would breach SCMP?

I’d heard money was tight and we needed kelvins money before we could bring anyone else in. But I wasn’t aware we were not able to register our last two signings

This guy is usually 100% spot on by the way, he definitely has a very good record of being itk.

Very worrying if true

He has a good track record but my key issue with this take is - the deals are clearly concluded between us, the player and the selling club - so at this stage we are liable for those players salaries. If we cannot register anybody, then surely this is an embargo and as such we should be listed on the EFL embargo page.

Also if there was any doubt that either of those players would not be able to play I doubt we would have risked them in pre-season games.

None of the above of course stops him being correct.

Perhaps there were issues which are now resolved. Shame you can’t tell by Stokes & Malife playing in preseason games or not.

It they weren't registered, wouldn't we be obliged to list them as trialists in pre-season games?

[Vision]

Unless he's getting fed poop. Or they're trying to flush out the leaks.

Whichever it is we need bodies in and fast.

A striker yes, what other areas?

Well, we only have 2 senior centre backs...

I know we're using him as a right back and from the little I've seen rightly so, but isn't "Dokes" technically a Centre Back much like Dorsett?

Ideally we need at least one more but there are senior options if we're really pushed. I'm not sure the same applies to out and out strikers as far as senior players go.

All that being said, am I the only one a little disappointed that of the core 18 players listed, there's just one academy player listed and he's only a bench option?

[Brogue]

Just had this from one of my contacts

[Royals and Racers]

Just had this from one of my contacts

Got more than one - wow

[South Coast Royal]

A striker yes, what other areas?

Well, we only have 2 senior centre backs...

I know we're using him as a right back and from the little I've seen rightly so, but isn't "Dokes" technically a Centre Back much like Dorsett?

Ideally we need at least one more but there are senior options if we're really pushed. I'm not sure the same applies to out and out strikers as far as senior players go.

All that being said, am I the only one a little disappointed that of the core 18 players listed, there's just one academy player listed and he's only a bench option?

No, you are not the only one.

We have had a top drawer Academy for some years now expected to produce players at least good enough to play at Championship level, if not Premier League so a 3rd division club should surely have more than we currently have pushing for first team spots.

There is no set formula for success.
If we take it that 1996 and 2006 were our two best years the interesting thing is that in 1996 we had 4 regulars who had come through the youth ranks in Adie, Taylor, Lovell and Gilkes but in 2006 we had none.

There has to be an element of good fortune over whether promising younger players train on but it is a concern, especially considering the lower level we are now playing at, that there are so few coming through now and since Olise.

Every fan likes to see their "own" come good and if that doesn't happen say in the next couple of seasons maybe the club will look at the Brentford model and focus much more on bringing in more players from outside rather than spending considerable funds on internal development.

[Esteban]

Well, we only have 2 senior centre backs...

I know we're using him as a right back and from the little I've seen rightly so, but isn't "Dokes" technically a Centre Back much like Dorsett?

Ideally we need at least one more but there are senior options if we're really pushed. I'm not sure the same applies to out and out strikers as far as senior players go.

All that being said, am I the only one a little disappointed that of the core 18 players listed, there's just one academy player listed and he's only a bench option?

No, you are not the only one.

We have had a top drawer Academy for some years now expected to produce players at least good enough to play at Championship level, if not Premier League so a 3rd division club should surely have more than we currently have pushing for first team spots.

There is no set formula for success.
If we take it that 1996 and 2006 were our two best years the interesting thing is that in 1996 we had 4 regulars who had come through the youth ranks in Adie, Taylor, Lovell and Gilkes but in 2006 we had none.

There has to be an element of good fortune over whether promising younger players train on but it is a concern, especially considering the lower level we are now playing at, that there are so few coming through now and since Olise.

Every fan likes to see their "own" come good and if that doesn't happen say in the next couple of seasons maybe the club will look at the Brentford model and focus much more on bringing in more players from outside rather than spending considerable funds on internal development.

Unfortunately, I think all of our best prospects that may have been breaking into the first team around about now were all sold off. Being Cat 1 has its advantages, but there's a pecking order in football and we are where we are.

Fair question to ask if the academy is worth it, given our position in the food chain. I don't know what the answer is, but in my view, fans shouldn't be totally wedded to having a Cat 1 academy. Especially if the cost of it means we have to cut corners elsewhere, such as having a strong scouting network, or having the space to pay a bit extra in transfer fees or wages for the right players.

In 2006 we had an academy, but didn't use it/produce any players of real quality. We did, however, have a good recruitment team and scouting network and gradually signed young, ambitious, talented players who came together to create something special.

Horses for courses, I guess. There's not necessarily a right or wrong answer and nobody has a crystal ball.

[morganb]

Myself / insandouts25 has deleted their Twitter account - perhaps the registration rumour was to flush out the leaks inside the club?