Striker what would you like to see?

[linkenholtroyal]

I think we can all agree we are a striker short, Marriott will not last all season, WiFi is off, Brown is more like WiFi than a centre forward and has had his injury issues and Patton will be great but not yet.
Most of the best strikers from league 1 last year are too expensive, already moved or are likely to stay where they are so there is really 4 other options.

Take a punt on a league 2 striker, Hale, Bonis or Drinan. High chance of failure but atleast know the English leagues and would need to step up.

Wait for a Marriott style player to drop out of the Champ once squads are settled. Maybe a Bishop style of signing? This is unlikely at the moment as centre forwards seem really scarce and if they do become available they are either usually injury prone or third or 4th choice older players.

Or look abroad. This brings its own risk as usually need to settle into the english leagues and take a bit of time to get going.

Sign a youth player on loan from prem or champ. Yet again high risk, usually unreliable. Look at last season MOM.

Just thought I would see what you would do if it was your money and you were in charge….

[AthleticoSpizz]

Gotta take some gambles in the non-league/ Irish circles.
RFC right now, have neither the money nor the status to attract too many proven strikers to take us up to the next level that we require on the cheap. The academy hasn’t given us too many instant revelations of late.

Look down the leagues…….take some punts

[Sutekh]

Josh Stones (York)

[Hound]

When the OP puts it like that it does seem a gamble selling a fairly proven striker in Kelvin

Keane was another’ Marriott’ type signing and we saw how that went

It’s difficult. Maybe someone like that Beesley at Burton (though see he’s already moved) - ie someone experienced who is at a weaker L1 side, but can’t see how they be an upgrade

[Sutekh]

When the OP puts it like that it does seem a gamble selling a fairly proven striker in Kelvin

Keane was another’ Marriott’ type signing and we saw how that went

It’s difficult. Maybe someone like that Beesley at Burton (though see he’s already moved) - ie someone experienced who is at a weaker L1 side, but can’t see how they be an upgrade

Ward might have had a none to pleased opinion on Jake Beesley joining, but thankfully Jake has gone to Bradford now.

Aaron Drinan is the obvious one to take a punt on from L2, doubt Reading could afford someone like Dom Ballard, though he’d probably be the best of any possible options. Anyone from upper divisions means spotting an Academy youngster or under used fringe player somewhere.

There’s ManU’s Chiedozie Obi or Liverpool’s Jayden Danns if the club want to try the promising youngster on loan route.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Haaland.

[windermereROYAL]

Can`t imagine we`d let Kelvin go without having a replacement set up, but this is Reading fc so nothing would surprise me.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Can`t imagine we`d let Kelvin go without having a replacement set up, but this is Reading fc so nothing would surprise me.

In fairness though if it was €2m, that kind of money is too good to turn down particularly as he only has a year left on his contract#, so I suspect there might not be anyone about to sign to replace him.

[Extended-Phenotype]

£2m for Kelvin is a non-decision, even if we had no strikers at all.

League 2 is where we should be looking. I’m not sure why anyone expects ready-made strikers to walk through our doors. It’s about taking a punt on someone who has a glimmer of promise.

[West F]

£2m for Kelvin is a non-decision, even if we had no strikers at all.

League 2 is where we should be looking. I’m not sure why anyone expects ready-made strikers to walk through our doors. It’s about taking a punt on someone who has a glimmer of promise.

If we sell Ehibhatiomhan for £2M I would want it stipulated that no legal action could be subsequently taken against us for fraud. I gave up being both disappointed and frustrated by him in games. I just allowed myself to accept the truth that this is prime Kelvin we are witnessing, and anymore expectation is unfair on him.

You can by all means sign Jack Marriot. He is a phenomenal striker who would have likely played in the Premier league if his hamstrings were not made of 38% scar tissue. What you need to have is a Wareham or Ballard, or both, to take up the minutes that you can spend protecting Marriot or replacing him.

I would happily take a punt on a youngster as back up for Patton.

[morganb]

If/when we buy a new striker what will Marriott's role be? Is he still our number one or due to him being injury prone does he become an impact sub and the newbie becomes no 1?

[Hound]

Marriott would not have played in the premier league. He offers little except goals and his record in the champ is pretty ordinary even when younger and fitter

[Hound]

If/when we buy a new striker what will Marriott's role be? Is he still our number one or due to him being injury prone does he become an impact sub and the newbie becomes no 1?

Well he needs to get fit. He can’t be our number 1 striker imo

Great to have knocking around and either off the bench or maybe given an hour but I’d be surprised if he plays more than half the possible minutes this year

Still far from convinced last year wasn’t just a hot streak either tbh

[linkenholtroyal]

Josh Stones (York)

I doubt it as he has just signed a 5 year extension with York. Drinan, Bonis or actually Daniel Kanu in league 2 last year from Charlton would be my shouts we would be looking at. Daniel Kanu may not be a bad shout at all especially if we have some money left still to come from Knibbs that could be written off as part of the deal. Similar Micah Mbick on loan from Charlton maybe another possibility.

[linkenholtroyal]

Josh Stones (York)

I doubt it as he has just signed a 5 year extension with York. Drinan, Bonis or actually Daniel Kanu in league 2 last year from Charlton would be my shouts we would be looking at. Daniel Kanu may not be a bad shout at all especially if we have some money left still to come from Knibbs that could be written off as part of the deal. Similar Micah Mbick on loan from Charlton maybe another possibility.

Actually the more I look at Kanu the more my gut thinks we would be looking at him. Good return in league 2 last year, local ish lad, last year of contract so fee will likely be sensible. 4 or 5 other options at the club, Chance to establish himself in League 1 . Also a slim chance there is still some money owed on Knibbs as he was on a payment plan from Charlton.

Nothing other than gut on this one but when you have a feeling. (We will sign some 40 year old from Bulgaria now)

[Brogue]

Wonder why our academy never seems to produce decent strikers. Darius Henderson, Danny loader, Simon Church , Sam smith and Simon Cox are the only ones that i can think of. 5 since 1999 when the academy was started.

Henderson wasn’t great
loader hardly played for us done very well for himself since leaving
Church was ok
Simon cox had a decent career but we only had him towards the end of his career when he was basically finished.
Sam smith ok

[Fox Talbot]

Ben House didn’t get much of a chance with us but has finally made a career at Lincoln.

[linkenholtroyal]

Wonder why our academy never seems to produce decent strikers. Darius Henderson, Danny loader, Simon Church , Sam smith and Simon Cox are the only ones that i can think of. 5 since 1999 when the academy was started.

Henderson wasn’t great
loader hardly played for us done very well for himself since leaving
Church was ok
Simon cox had a decent career but we only had him towards the end of his career when he was basically finished.
Sam smith ok

Novakovich has gone on to have a solid career and Hal did well but was never a centre forward really. But no real standout striker for us no. Back to topic not itk stuff but who would you be looking at as a realistic target brogue?

[Rfcfan]

Let's offer Orient 4.5 mil for Ballard. That would be a statement signing.

[Stranded]

When the OP puts it like that it does seem a gamble selling a fairly proven striker in Kelvin

Keane was another’ Marriott’ type signing and we saw how that went

It’s difficult. Maybe someone like that Beesley at Burton (though see he’s already moved) - ie someone experienced who is at a weaker L1 side, but can’t see how they be an upgrade

Didn't Kelvin only have 12 months left on his deal, so taking money now, as opposed to not getting any next summer always makes sense.

Not sure who we should be getting but we'll probably end up taking a PL kid on loan.