Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading are among a number of EFL clubs eyeing a move for Wrexham defender Dan Scarr before the close of the transfer window. #readingfc #WxmAFC

linkenholtroyal wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026 19:07 Happy with that if it is the case as I have said I am morethan happy with less mobile centre backs in the more traditional way of clearing balls and put in blocks in. If Rino and wing drop back to pick the scraps up and push the ball forward. Passing out from centre backs is a new thing and usually leaves the backline exposed when they push the ball forward.
Simple block or tackle, pass to midfielder, push forward, pass to wingers or 10 and leave it to them.

All this ticky tacky and pushing players forward out of position doesn’t work at this level.

Doc wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026 19:25

linkenholtroyal wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026 19:07 Happy with that if it is the case as I have said I am morethan happy with less mobile centre backs in the more traditional way of clearing balls and put in blocks in. If Rino and wing drop back to pick the scraps up and push the ball forward. Passing out from centre backs is a new thing and usually leaves the backline exposed when they push the ball forward.
Simple block or tackle, pass to midfielder, push forward, pass to wingers or 10 and leave it to them.

All this ticky tacky and pushing players forward out of position doesn’t work at this level.

Leaving aside the whole spectrum of play between tika taka centre backs and what you describe, the key part of what you wrote is “push forward”. The biggest problem with O’Connor’s slowness is that he stays deep to protect himself when we’re attacking instead of pushing up the defensive line, meaning that the midfield have a larger area to cover when we lose the ball and makes us easier to play through on the counter attack. It also exposes Wing’s only significant weakness, his lack of athleticism (which makes it more likely that he will sit on the centre backs’ toes to protect himself).
Whether the centre back that is setting the defensive line is fast or average paced doesn’t matter too much as long as they move that defensive line with play correctly, something O’Connor doesn’t do because he is too slow.

linkenholtroyal wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026 19:48

Doc wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026 19:25

linkenholtroyal wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026 19:07 Happy with that if it is the case as I have said I am morethan happy with less mobile centre backs in the more traditional way of clearing balls and put in blocks in. If Rino and wing drop back to pick the scraps up and push the ball forward. Passing out from centre backs is a new thing and usually leaves the backline exposed when they push the ball forward.
Simple block or tackle, pass to midfielder, push forward, pass to wingers or 10 and leave it to them.

All this ticky tacky and pushing players forward out of position doesn’t work at this level.

Leaving aside the whole spectrum of play between tika taka centre backs and what you describe, the key part of what you wrote is “push forward”. The biggest problem with O’Connor’s slowness is that he stays deep to protect himself when we’re attacking instead of pushing up the defensive line, meaning that the midfield have a larger area to cover when we lose the ball and makes us easier to play through on the counter attack. It also exposes Wing’s only significant weakness, his lack of athleticism (which makes it more likely that he will sit on the centre backs’ toes to protect himself).
Whether the centre back that is setting the defensive line is fast or average paced doesn’t matter too much as long as they move that defensive line with play correctly, something O’Connor doesn’t do because he is too slow.

I do agree but even if rino dropped deeper and pushed the ball forward would help to get the ball up the field. Would you play Scarr and Ward then over Scarr and Oconner if this is the signing?

Sutekh wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026 12:36 Seen some Walsall fan comment saying Scarr is better playing at the centre of a three or five at the back and that he is poor at playing the ball out of defence, don’t think he was rated that highly there but Plymouth fans seem to think he was immense when he was with them, a Real old fashioned “hard as nails” (he is rumoured to have caught a flare thrown at him on an open top bus parade through Plymouth!) 110%’er centre back who led things well. Think he also has decent aerial duel stats. Can’t find anything specifically bemoaning a lack of pace but generally wouldn’t expect a “Speedy Gonzalez” masquerading as a good old fashioned CB.

morganb wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026 13:14 There's a Scarr-man, he plays in blue and white...

Hound wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026 15:32 Interesting enough signing - wonder what LR sees as his first choice. Do hope it’s not Scarr and PoC in a 4 back

If it’s done then just the striker to go. I wouldn’t be completely suprised if we signed an additional striker on loan as well actually

tidus_mi2 wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026 17:01

Hound wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026 15:32 Interesting enough signing - wonder what LR sees as his first choice. Do hope it’s not Scarr and PoC in a 4 back

If it’s done then just the striker to go. I wouldn’t be completely suprised if we signed an additional striker on loan as well actually

It's interesting as we've only signed Stokes on loan so there's plenty of spaces to fill if need be, perhaps we're waiting until the very end of the window when clubs will be have finalised their squads and want to get players out on loan, especially considering we now have a clear schedule until the transfer window closes.

Sutekh wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026 17:10

tidus_mi2 wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026 17:01

Hound wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026 15:32 Interesting enough signing - wonder what LR sees as his first choice. Do hope it’s not Scarr and PoC in a 4 back

If it’s done then just the striker to go. I wouldn’t be completely suprised if we signed an additional striker on loan as well actually

It's interesting as we've only signed Stokes on loan so there's plenty of spaces to fill if need be, perhaps we're waiting until the very end of the window when clubs will be have finalised their squads and want to get players out on loan, especially considering we now have a clear schedule until the transfer window closes.

Yes, it’s about now that the “dominoes” will start falling and then there’s all sorts of deals and opportunities that might suddenly arise. Just have to hope Reading are alert to situations and will move quickly on what they see.

Stranded wrote: ↑27 Aug 2026 07:34

Sutekh wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026 17:10

tidus_mi2 wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026 17:01

It's interesting as we've only signed Stokes on loan so there's plenty of spaces to fill if need be, perhaps we're waiting until the very end of the window when clubs will be have finalised their squads and want to get players out on loan, especially considering we now have a clear schedule until the transfer window closes.

Yes, it’s about now that the “dominoes” will start falling and then there’s all sorts of deals and opportunities that might suddenly arise. Just have to hope Reading are alert to situations and will move quickly on what they see.

You would hope at least Brian Carey is in constant contact with clubs where there be players of interest to see how things are shifting and if Player X may suddenly be available for loan/perm move.

Who Moved The Goalposts? wrote: ↑27 Aug 2026 09:39

Stranded wrote: ↑27 Aug 2026 07:34

Sutekh wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026 17:10

Yes, it’s about now that the “dominoes” will start falling and then there’s all sorts of deals and opportunities that might suddenly arise. Just have to hope Reading are alert to situations and will move quickly on what they see.

You would hope at least Brian Carey is in constant contact with clubs where there be players of interest to see how things are shifting and if Player X may suddenly be available for loan/perm move.

To add to that, according to someone I know at the club, Carey is very well respected in the industry - which certainly cannot harm our chances if it comes to a straight choice at the selling/loaning club's discretion.

Who Moved The Goalposts? wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026 14:27

morganb wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026 13:14 There's a Scarr-man, he plays in blue and white...

"And we think that he'll be first choice, 'cause the other guy is shite"