SPECULATION - Is Matthew Taylor available?

[Ginger Ninjas]

According to today's EP Coppell is now expecting Shorey to stay in January.

Since Pompey went back to 4-4-2 they've basically had fullbacks who also play centre half, as opposed to ours who also play on the wing. The way we've always played under Coppell our full backs have been quite attacking so maybe he see's that as a perfect fit with Taylor.

Shorey and Taylor on the left hand side could be an excellent combination, two of the better crossers in the division from that side. Just the right hand side and centre of the park to sort out!

Can you really see Hunty being dropped??

Bobby can't even get a chance left wing!!

I can but hope.

Maybe SC will squeeze in all three - Shorey at LB, Taylor at LWB, Hunt at LM with no right midfielder!

[Scarface]

Shorey will leave, but the Taylor signing whether he plays on the wing or at the back is the step in the right direction.

I'm sure he'll get on very well with Sonko!!

[brendywendy]

some of these rumours are getting to at least sound more concrete

if we got taylor, stelios, and hulse or zamora this january id be pretty happy with our business
especially if we kept shorey and/or lita

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

Not really gonna take us to the next level is it?

Which is exactly what Coppell says these new signings need to do.

It's strange how Coppell goes from totally talking down transfers, to massively inflating expectations, from interview to interview.

Would like Taylor and Hulse. We need more quality though. If we don't sign a class centre mid and a really, really good winger we're in serious trouble.

Can see Stelios as a short term option, he's not a quality player and that's what Coppell has been promisng us.

[Stranded]

Not really gonna take us to the next level is it?

Which is exactly what Coppell says these new signings need to do.

It's strange how Coppell goes from totally talking down transfers, to massively inflating expectations, from interview to interview.

Would like Taylor and Hulse. We need more quality though. If we don't sign a class centre mid and a really, really good winger we're in serious trouble.

Can see Stelios as a short term option, he's not a quality player and that's what Coppell has been promisng us.

What is the next level in your eyes?

To me the next level is becoming a stable top flight club and those signings would IMO go towards acheiving that.

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

Not really gonna take us to the next level is it?

Which is exactly what Coppell says these new signings need to do.

It's strange how Coppell goes from totally talking down transfers, to massively inflating expectations, from interview to interview.

Would like Taylor and Hulse. We need more quality though. If we don't sign a class centre mid and a really, really good winger we're in serious trouble.

Can see Stelios as a short term option, he's not a quality player and that's what Coppell has been promisng us.

What is the next level in your eyes?

To me the next level is becoming a stable top flight club and those signings would IMO go towards acheiving that.

I agree with what you think is the next level. Just really don't think Taylor replacing Shorey, a Hulse or Zamora type for Lita or Stelios will do that. We need players better than what we have, none of the players we keep getting linked with are better than what we have.

[andrew1957]

Not really gonna take us to the next level is it?

Which is exactly what Coppell says these new signings need to do.

It's strange how Coppell goes from totally talking down transfers, to massively inflating expectations, from interview to interview.

Would like Taylor and Hulse. We need more quality though. If we don't sign a class centre mid and a really, really good winger we're in serious trouble.

Can see Stelios as a short term option, he's not a quality player and that's what Coppell has been promisng us.

What is the next level in your eyes?

To me the next level is becoming a stable top flight club and those signings would IMO go towards acheiving that.

I agree with what you think is the next level. Just really don't think Taylor replacing Shorey, a Hulse or Zamora type for Lita or Stelios will do that. We need players better than what we have, none of the players we keep getting linked with are better than what we have.

The problem is that the players who will truly take us to the next level are the likes of Ronaldo, Torres, Gerard, Lampard, Cahill etc. Clealry as these are out of our reach we have to an extent make do with those players we can actually attract to the Mad Stad.

This is exactly the dilemma that Steve Coppell faced last summer and why I for one have not been critical of the stance he took in largely not strenghthening the squad. As he looked around and saw average players going to the likes of Sunderland in deals worth millions, he must have realised that there was little point competing in this market as what he would be buying would be little or no better than what we had already.

All Reading can realistically do is to fill the gaps that have emerged during this season. If Shorey goes we will need a left back. We definitely need someone on the right now that Oster is injured again and we need at least one or two in Central Mid. If we can find adequate players in these positions then we have a good chance of avoiding the drop and then have the opportunity to completely overhaul the squad next summer.

[Oi Oi Saveloy]

The problem is that the players who will truly take us to the next level are the likes of Ronaldo, Torres, Gerard, Lampard, Cahill etc.

Utter rubbish.

The next level for us is teams like Man City, Newcastle and Aston Villa, Portsmouth. All established Premiership teams, who don;t look like they will be going down for a while.

[Stranded]

Not really gonna take us to the next level is it?

Which is exactly what Coppell says these new signings need to do.

It's strange how Coppell goes from totally talking down transfers, to massively inflating expectations, from interview to interview.

Would like Taylor and Hulse. We need more quality though. If we don't sign a class centre mid and a really, really good winger we're in serious trouble.

Can see Stelios as a short term option, he's not a quality player and that's what Coppell has been promisng us.

What is the next level in your eyes?

To me the next level is becoming a stable top flight club and those signings would IMO go towards acheiving that.

I agree with what you think is the next level. Just really don't think Taylor replacing Shorey, a Hulse or Zamora type for Lita or Stelios will do that. We need players better than what we have, none of the players we keep getting linked with are better than what we have.

Fair enough, and if the only moves that take place this January are Shorey and Lita out and the three mentioned in then I'll agree that we'll be no better off.

However, temper that with Coppell's suggestion that Shorey looks likely to stay in Jan now and the team begins to look stronger - still not fully there but getting there. A potential XI could soon be:

Hahnemann

Murty
Sonko
Ingimarsson
Shorey

Stelios
Harper
Gunnarsson/Fae
Taylor

Kitson
Doyle

The wings suddenly look much more proactive (key for the way we play). Add a possible new CM and we look a much more solid unit.

[Doyler]

Agreed although I think it will be quite a while before we are in a position to achieve what those clubs are this season.

[Ginger Ninjas]

The problem is that the players who will truly take us to the next level are the likes of Ronaldo, Torres, Gerard, Lampard, Cahill etc.

Utter rubbish.

The next level for us is teams like Man City, Newcastle and Aston Villa, Portsmouth. All established Premiership teams, who don;t look like they will be going down for a while.

I think Portsmouth and Blackburn are the two 'models' we should be looking at. Neither are historically 'big clubs' and aren't from one of the big cities. They have established themselves as top-ten premier league sides through relatively steady growth, with experienced pros playing decent football.

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

What is the next level in your eyes?

To me the next level is becoming a stable top flight club and those signings would IMO go towards acheiving that.

I agree with what you think is the next level. Just really don't think Taylor replacing Shorey, a Hulse or Zamora type for Lita or Stelios will do that. We need players better than what we have, none of the players we keep getting linked with are better than what we have.

Fair enough, and if the only moves that take place this January are Shorey and Lita out and the three mentioned in then I'll agree that we'll be no better off.

However, temper that with Coppell's suggestion that Shorey looks likely to stay in Jan now and the team begins to look stronger - still not fully there but getting there. A potential XI could soon be:

Hahnemann

Murty
Sonko
Ingimarsson
Shorey

Stelios
Harper
Gunnarsson/Fae
Taylor

Kitson
Doyle

The wings suddenly look much more proactive (key for the way we play). Add a possible new CM and we look a much more solid unit.

Yeah I'd say that team should stay up. If people stayed fit and Fae came good.

I'd actually be happy with Rosenior right wing till the summer. If we could add quality on the left and in the middle. I think the big problem he's had is that he has to play with Hunt on the left. I think with real quality on the left, Rosenior's short comings wouldn't seem so obvious.

For Coppell's faults in the transfer market, he's right that there's no point spending for the sake of it.

[brendywendy]

The problem is that the players who will truly take us to the next level are the likes of Ronaldo, Torres, Gerard, Lampard, Cahill etc.

Utter rubbish.

The next level for us is teams like Man City, Newcastle and Aston Villa, Portsmouth. All established Premiership teams, who don;t look like they will be going down for a while.

they are teams who have been there for years and years, and have been massive in the past.

for a team like ours, even though we finished 8th in our 1st year -surely our step up would be looking to compete with teams like bolton, pompey,boro, clubs that were yoyos, then established themselves, then started to push on

rather than being in amongst, and looking to beat the yo yo teams, perrennial relegation fighters and the newly promoted as we are now
brum, sunderland, baggies, wolves, derby, watford

[andrew1957]

The problem is that the players who will truly take us to the next level are the likes of Ronaldo, Torres, Gerard, Lampard, Cahill etc.

Utter rubbish.

The next level for us is teams like Man City, Newcastle and Aston Villa, Portsmouth. All established Premiership teams, who don;t look like they will be going down for a while.

You miss my point completely. Don't forget Reading finished 8th last year - well clear of relegation so we already have players capable of reaching safety in the PL. Obviously we need to aim to be a club that is consistently clear of the drop zone but I was discussing the "how" of achieving this.

My point is that you do not get much for £5M these days - certainly not much better than we have already. To really take things on you need players that would cost £10M plus - like the ones I mentioned.

Don't forget Reading have spent just £11.5M putting our entire squad together whereas others have spent anything up to 10 times this amount and still have players little better than we have.

[Darren Caskey's Dietician]

Matthew Taylor would be a great signing.

Personally, I would't want Hulse. I've never been overly impressed with him as a prem player, even last year. I'd rather look at Marlon King or Bobby Zamora or Dave Nugent.

Again, I don't think Stelios is the man I want on the right wing. That's an area I'm unsure of what the answer is there to be honest. I think Henry is the long term answer, but I'm not sure Stelios is the short term answer....

[Tails]

I am VERY pessimistic when it comes to the tayler transfer....as soon as arry said 'big offer' or words to that effect, I think....Reading? big offer? no chance

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

I really don't think we have to worry about the money being there.

As Coppell and Hammond says it's whether these players want to join Reading that is the problem.

[Slinky]

I am VERY pessimistic when it comes to the tayler transfer....as soon as arry said 'big offer' or words to that effect, I think....Reading? big offer? no chance

But it is a big offer if you compare it to Fulhams £1.2million bid in the summer

[West Stand Flash]

What is the next level in your eyes?

To me the next level is becoming a stable top flight club and those signings would IMO go towards acheiving that.

I agree with what you think is the next level. Just really don't think Taylor replacing Shorey, a Hulse or Zamora type for Lita or Stelios will do that. We need players better than what we have, none of the players we keep getting linked with are better than what we have.

Fair enough, and if the only moves that take place this January are Shorey and Lita out and the three mentioned in then I'll agree that we'll be no better off.

However, temper that with Coppell's suggestion that Shorey looks likely to stay in Jan now and the team begins to look stronger - still not fully there but getting there. A potential XI could soon be:

Hahnemann

Murty
Sonko
Ingimarsson
Shorey

Stelios
Harper
Gunnarsson/Fae
Taylor

Kitson
Doyle

The wings suddenly look much more proactive (key for the way we play). Add a possible new CM and we look a much more solid unit.

Gunnarsson is a good squad player. When are people going to realise he is not a PREMIERSHIP midfielder capable of starting week in week out. He has proved that enough this season.

[Stranded]

Did you actually read my full post?

Stupid question really as you clearly just saw Gunnarsson's name and that inflicted some sort of Pavlovian response in you.