Disappointment As Transfer Window Shuts

03 September 2013
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading have failed to make any additional new signings as the transfer windows closed last night. The lack of signings follows recent statements from the club about the intention to sign at least two new players and to continue to strengthen the squad. It would be fair to say that the combination of no signings, and Kebe and Mariappa leaving Reading for Crystal Palace, has been greeted with dismay from fans. After last season's performances there's no doubt that Kebe and Mariappa would have both been outstanding players in the Championship. In the club's defence it was probably difficult to hold on to the two players who wanted to be back in the top tier. However, it appears to be business as usual at Reading FC with the players rumoured to have gone for a combined five million pounds.

The club led fans to believe they were willing to invest multiple millions to get the club back into the Premier League. Instead we appear to have cash in the bank account and a weaker squad than last week. We were disappointed about the way Brian McDermott was dismissed last season. Allegedly a big reason for his sacking was his lack of use of transfer funds. Were the funds really available to Brian and were they really available to Adkins? The club held talks with Momo Sissoko last night but were unable to complete a deal to bring him to Reading - with the player now out of contract at PSG you can only assume that Reading weren't willing to meet his wage demands.

The Royals did do well to hang on to other players in the squad despite dropping down a division. However, it's probably safe to say that reasonable offers would have seen more players out of the door before the deadline passed. The club have released a statement that's hardly likely to appease fans: "The Royals have already signed Wayne Bridge, Danny Williams and Royston Drenthe this summer; with those additions we have a strong Championship squad and have named seven full internationals on the bench in recent weeks. We have also signed players on renewed contracts, and importantly retained top players despite interest from other clubs." There's certainly some truth in that statement, but the fact the club had to publish something like it indicates they know more was expected to happen last night. I'm guessing Nigel Adkins isn't too happy with the outcome either.

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