Coppell wants British players (for now)... From the EP

[readingbedding]

STEVE COPPELL says he would like to bring in two players during the January transfer window – but he will not be going abroad to bolster Reading’s squad.

Clubs have until the end of the month to make any final additions and Royals’ boss is keen to strengthen his side.

West Ham’s Bobby Zamora is a top target and could soon be on his way, while I understand the boss has had a £1million bid for Colchester’s Greg Halford rejected, but he could now go back with an improved offer.

The U’s don’t want to lose their versatile player, who is out of contract in the summer, but might be tempted to let him go for £2million.

Royals, though, face competition from Premiership rivals Sheffield United.


Coppell told the Evening Post: “We are in the market for Reading buys. There could be three or four if we find the right people who fit what we are looking for. There are restrictions in terms of what we can have – but ideally I would like two players.

“However, you can never be confident because it is never in your control and you have to haggle.â€

[RoyalBlue]

West Ham’s Bobby Zamora is a top target and could soon be on his way, while I understand the boss has had a £1million bid for Colchester’s Greg Halford rejected, but he could now go back with an improved offer.

The U’s don’t want to lose their versatile player, who is out of contract in the summer, but might be tempted to let him go for £2million.

Royals, though, face competition from Premiership rivals Sheffield United.

Fingers crossed the close Sidwell & Zamora friendship (plus their liking for playing under Sir Steve) will prove to be a double whammy in our favour. Zamora joins us and Sidwell decides to stay.

As for Halford - competition? Tough choice, move up north to play for Colin the clown in a team as likely to be in the Championship as Colchester next year or remain in the south playing for Sir Steve and a team more than holding their own in the top flight!

[readingbedding]

West Ham’s Bobby Zamora is a top target and could soon be on his way, while I understand the boss has had a £1million bid for Colchester’s Greg Halford rejected, but he could now go back with an improved offer.

The U’s don’t want to lose their versatile player, who is out of contract in the summer, but might be tempted to let him go for £2million.

Royals, though, face competition from Premiership rivals Sheffield United.

Fingers crossed the close Sidwell & Zamora friendship (plus their liking for playing under Sir Steve) will prove to be a double whammy in our favour. Zamora joins us and Sidwell decides to stay.

As for Halford - competition? Tough choice, move up north to play for Colin the clown in a team as likely to be in the Championship as Colchester next year or remain in the south playing for Sir Steve and a team more than holding their own in the top flight!

Yeah, also a very good idea in only targetting British/Irish players at this stage of the season.
Whether you like H Redknapp or not, he performed a miracle last year keeping Pompey up.

In regards to Halford, I think the North may be more welcoming if there are £££'s more a week for him.

Who knows?

Most of all, I'm very hopeful that Coppell decides to stay another year - although there isn't much out there managerially, you never know.

[Slinky]

Am i right in thinkg that Zamora is currently seeing Nicola T the page 3 girl who incidently is on todays page 3 in the Sun?

[readingbedding]

Dunno, but as she's a brunette, that means she's clever doesn't it?

[LoyalRoyal22]

Halford would be a good signing. Can be long-term replacement for Murty, and step in when he has injuries, which is quite ofte. I think Zamora is to simliar to Kitson, dont see the point in that signing.

[Forbury Lion]

There are plenty of foreigners in the English game with good experience and some British players with no English league experience.

I wonder if Coppell was misquoted?

[readingbedding]

Halford would be a good signing. Can be long-term replacement for Murty, and step in when he has injuries, which is quite ofte. I think Zamora is to simliar to Kitson, dont see the point in that signing.

And how many games has Kitson played this season?

[Rich@Eaststand]

I think Zamora is to simliar to Kitson, dont see the point in that signing.

Maybe to play during Kitsons many absences due to injury?!

[RoyalBlue]

Halford would be a good signing. Can be long-term replacement for Murty, and step in when he has injuries, which is quite ofte. I think Zamora is to simliar to Kitson, dont see the point in that signing.

You talk about Murty's injury record and then question why we might want to sign Zamora who is similar to Kitson?!

[readingbedding]

There are plenty of foreigners in the English game with good experience and some British players with no English league experience.

I wonder if Coppell was misquoted?

What he means is players already playing in the Premiership/Championship I guess.

[RoyalBlue]

West Ham’s Bobby Zamora is a top target and could soon be on his way, while I understand the boss has had a £1million bid for Colchester’s Greg Halford rejected, but he could now go back with an improved offer.

The U’s don’t want to lose their versatile player, who is out of contract in the summer, but might be tempted to let him go for £2million.

Royals, though, face competition from Premiership rivals Sheffield United.

Fingers crossed the close Sidwell & Zamora friendship (plus their liking for playing under Sir Steve) will prove to be a double whammy in our favour. Zamora joins us and Sidwell decides to stay.

As for Halford - competition? Tough choice, move up north to play for Colin the clown in a team as likely to be in the Championship as Colchester next year or remain in the south playing for Sir Steve and a team more than holding their own in the top flight!

Yeah, also a very good idea in only targetting British/Irish players at this stage of the season.
Whether you like H Redknapp or not, he performed a miracle last year keeping Pompey up.

In regards to Halford, I think the North may be more welcoming if there are £££'s more a week for him.

Can't see him getting too many win bonuses under Colin! Also likely to see his wages cut if (when) they are relegated!!

Agree our most important signing, as always, will be Sir Steve himself!

[Forbury Lion]

There are plenty of foreigners in the English game with good experience and some British players with no English league experience.

I wonder if Coppell was misquoted?

What he means is players already playing in the Premiership/Championship I guess.

That's what I assumed, but the article suggests otherwise.

Maybe Coppell let something slip, maybe his transfer targets are all British?

[Dangerous]

Am i right in thinkg that Zamora is currently seeing Nicola T the page 3 girl who incidently is on todays page 3 in the Sun?

Beef seems to think he'd be more inclined to be with a page 7 hunk.

[readingbedding]

There are plenty of foreigners in the English game with good experience and some British players with no English league experience.

I wonder if Coppell was misquoted?

What he means is players already playing in the Premiership/Championship I guess.

That's what I assumed, but the article suggests otherwise.

Maybe Coppell let something slip, maybe his transfer targets are all British?

Wouldn't be suprised by that.

[Barry the bird boggler]

Bear in mind also that everything can be interdependant. SC has said previously one move between clubs can trigger many more moves between other clubs as various prospects suddenly become 'available'.

From the sounds of things it looks like we're concentrating on (and are per haps close to finalising) 2 signings in the most important areas we need cover - right side defence and up front; Halford and Zamora.

There are other players the club have an interest in but these are likely to be only be followed up in the summer or if an opportunity too good to miss presents itself.

[TFF]

There are other players the club have an interest in but these are likely to be only be followed up in the summer or if an opportunity too good to miss presents itself.

That's exactly how John Halls got here.

[Great Knolly]

I'm not sure Zamora would be a good idea. At the moment Doyle and Lita deserve to start, and I imagine Zamora would expect to start if he came here.
Very tough on Lita if Zamora replaced him and Leroy might then get itchy feet.
Lita is still young and could end up with a much better career than Zamora.

Lita/Doyle/Seol with Kitson coming back doesn't look too bad to me.

I think we should be looking to strengthen across the back and centre midfield.
Gunnarson is 1st line cover for 6 positions at the moment !!

Sodje Bikey, and Ullyses? have not been convincing.

[readingbedding]

I'm not sure Zamora would be a good idea. At the moment Doyle and Lita deserve to start, and I imagine Zamora would expect to start if he came here.
Very tough on Lita if Zamora replaced him and Leroy might then get itchy feet.
Lita is still young and could end up with a much better career than Zamora.

Lita/Doyle/Seol with Kitson coming back doesn't look too bad to me.

I think we should be looking to strengthen across the back and centre midfield.
Gunnarson is 1st line cover for 6 positions at the moment !!

Sodje Bikey, and Ullyses? have not been convincing.

Are we a football club looking to improve our squad, or are we a charity???
Lita and Doyle have nothing to worry about if they continue to improve also.
That said DeLa Cruz is not up to it, and I rarely slag off our players.

[Dickie's Spear]

Sodje Bikey, and Ullyses? have not been convincing.

wish Bikey would get more chances.
Agree with the other two though.