Kitson signs for Stoke for £5.5 million

[Gordons Cumming]

Good riddance.

We'll wave to him when we pass each other at the end of the season.

[test icicles]

I also rekon this could open the door for Harps to make his mind up about going to Boro or anywhere else. Him and Kits always seemed to be joking around and appeared really good mates. Now Kits has gone, Harper may feel it's time for him to move aswell.

[SpaghettiHoop]

He's still got to get through the medical.

[Drew_3]

to coin a phrase from coppell "lets judge this one on its merits at the end of the season".

[Barry the bird boggler]

and we still have Doyle and Lita up there.

Lets wait and see about that.

But it's a sad refelction on this club. When we tried to sign Dean Whitehead from Sunderland when we were promoted and they were relagated, they refused. Then newly promoted Stoke City come in for our player and we sell. Says all about the so called 'ambition' of this tin pot club we support.

Sunderland didn't refuse, as I recall Dean chose to stay with Sunderland.

Likewise Kitson may well decide its not worth returning to the Premiership with a side like Stoke.

[CMRoyal]

As I said yesterday in UR&G, it's all very well everyone eulogising about losing Dave Kitson. But the truth is that the Dave Kitson that everyone loves - the young, hungry, Dave Kitson who was so superb during the Championship season and the first one and a half PL seasons - has already left and he left us in January.

January 1 to be precise - he just wasn't prepared to pull his weight when we went down to 10 men against Pompey and his body language was appalling.

That’s what makes this a curious decision by both him and Stoke. First, I’m not sure he’ll have the requisite attitude for another relegation struggle – maybe he thinks Stoke are the RFC of two years ago and will surprise everybody? He’s certainly gambling on us not changing places with Stoke at the end of the season (he’s probably half-right on that score).

Or maybe he’s holding on to the hope of a move to Spurs in January? Let’s see how good he is if that doesn’t happen and Stoke are languishing in the bottom three at the turn of the year. So Stoke are taking a big risk, in my view, and an expensive one. The guy’s got quality, but he does struggle to last a whole season, and he does have ‘arrogant git’ form. We might almost be maximising our profit on this one.

[Man Friday]

I've been reading the last few pages and the message coming across - particularly after Dirk's erudite post - is that we're probably better off without Kitson.

I have to say I disgree with this. He struggled in a struggling side those last 6 months. BUT he's a great player and a great asset to the club in my view. It is my belief that this will really threaten our prospects of going back up. I think in no time at all we'll realise that we miss him. We'll have to wait and see, but that's my view.

Our squad is now not as strong as it was 24hrs ago, but it's a very good deal for us.

We'll have to see whether Coppell sold too early.

Would you turn down a £5M odd bid?
I would see your point if Birmingham offered that, but if the player wanted to play Prem football and an offer like that came in, I would be suprised if any Club in our situation would turn it down.

It's a great deal for RFC, a good one for Dave Kitson, we'll have to see whether it's a good deal for Stoke.

The issue is not what I would have done (in John Madejski's shoes) it's what I would have preferred being done as a fan. As a fan, I would have preferred the bid had been turned down on the basis that (a) I am sceptical that the money will see itself back into the club (certainly not in terms of acquiring £5m of new players) and (b) whoever we spend £5m on will not replace a player of DK's calibre. Perhaps I'll be proved wrong. I really hope so.
So, in my view, it's a good deal for Dave Kitson (PL football, bigger wage packet) but a bad one for RFC (and conversely will be a good one for Stoke). We'll just have to see who's right. I hope you are.

[Royal Rother]

But it's a sad refelction on this club. When we tried to sign Dean Whitehead from Sunderland when we were promoted and they were relagated, they refused. Then newly promoted Stoke City come in for our player and we sell. Says all about the so called 'ambition' of this tin pot club we support.

After all the investment that has been made into the club and all the success achieved in recent years, all underpinned by the principal of brick by brick and still there are fools like this sniping at a lack of ambition and stature.

This is NOT a tin pot club, it is a well-run, financially secure, prudently managed and (probably) solvent business the aim of the Board of which has always been to ensure that it is a viable business without the money of its Chairman.

Ungrateful smugly critical twats like you make me sick.

[readingbedding]

I've been reading the last few pages and the message coming across - particularly after Dirk's erudite post - is that we're probably better off without Kitson.

I have to say I disgree with this. He struggled in a struggling side those last 6 months. BUT he's a great player and a great asset to the club in my view. It is my belief that this will really threaten our prospects of going back up. I think in no time at all we'll realise that we miss him. We'll have to wait and see, but that's my view.

Our squad is now not as strong as it was 24hrs ago, but it's a very good deal for us.

We'll have to see whether Coppell sold too early.

Would you turn down a £5M odd bid?
I would see your point if Birmingham offered that, but if the player wanted to play Prem football and an offer like that came in, I would be suprised if any Club in our situation would turn it down.

It's a great deal for RFC, a good one for Dave Kitson, we'll have to see whether it's a good deal for Stoke.

The issue is not what I would have done (in John Madejski's shoes) it's what I would have preferred being done as a fan. As a fan, I would have preferred the bid had been turned down on the basis that (a) I am sceptical that the money will see itself back into the club (certainly not in terms of acquiring £5m of new players) and (b) whoever we spend £5m on will not replace a player of DK's calibre. Perhaps I'll be proved wrong. I really hope so.
So, in my view, it's a good deal for Dave Kitson (PL football, bigger wage packet) but a bad one for RFC (and conversely will be a good one for Stoke). We'll just have to see who's right. I hope you are.

It's not a question who's wrong or who's right in this.

If he had to go, I'm glad it's not to a rival in our League.

[Gordons Cumming]

But it's a sad refelction on this club. When we tried to sign Dean Whitehead from Sunderland when we were promoted and they were relagated, they refused. Then newly promoted Stoke City come in for our player and we sell. Says all about the so called 'ambition' of this tin pot club we support.

After all the investment that has been made into the club and all the success achieved in recent years, all underpinned by the principal of brick by brick and still there are fools like this sniping at a lack of ambition and stature.

This is NOT a tin pot club, it is a well-run, financially secure, prudently managed and (probably) solvent business the aim of the Board of which has always been to ensure that it is a viable business without the money of its Chairman.

Ungrateful smugly critical twats like you make me sick.

Careful.................................

[Alan Partridge]

Another sensible post from Rother, I wonder if Ern will be realistic and just give this one up?

[Yorkshire Royal]

Hilarious rumour up here now that he has changed his mind and has signed for West Brom instead... I don't believe it, but it would be very funny if he did..

I believe this to be totally untrue as the more reliable source indicates he is currently having a medical at Stoke and will be unveiled later today.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

But it's a sad refelction on this club. When we tried to sign Dean Whitehead from Sunderland when we were promoted and they were relagated, they refused. Then newly promoted Stoke City come in for our player and we sell. Says all about the so called 'ambition' of this tin pot club we support.

After all the investment that has been made into the club and all the success achieved in recent years, all underpinned by the principal of brick by brick and still there are fools like this sniping at a lack of ambition and stature.

This is NOT a tin pot club, it is a well-run, financially secure, prudently managed and (probably) solvent business the aim of the Board of which has always been to ensure that it is a viable business without the money of its Chairman.

Ungrateful smugly critical twats like you make me sick.

Well said RR. I can't beleive people are comparing our club to the likes of Sunderland. They are a club heading for financial ruin with their policy of spending huge sums on crap to achieve just about f all.

Besides, we have always spent reasonable money at this level and had no problem attracting players.

[Royal Spangle]

Whats the point building the club up brick by brick and then taking the bricks down again ? Kits was one of our best players and I feel the club is selling its family silver! Do you think RFC will spend big to replace him ... well dont hold your breth.It was only earlier this year that Hammond ( i think ) suggested RFC could be a top 10 club in the country. It seems RFC are going to be on a downward spiral to medeocracy....... lets hope not !

[Seal]

In reference to Dirk's post...

Of course I'm sad to see Kitson go, but I'm personally concerned about the bigger picture, rather than the individual merits (or otherwise) of individual players leaving.

It is completely understandable, and realistic for that matter, to expect that players will leave this summer - if you get relegated that's what happens.

My worry is about a general malaise in the way in which RFC is conducting business, and the adequacy of any potential replacements. The bottom line is our squad is undoubtedly the weakest it has been for 3 years, and I for one am worried about what we are going to do to rectify this. Whether it's Kitson, Kebe or the Kitman is irrelevant, it's who we get to replace them / add to the squad that is the major issue.

[Streets]

Hilarious rumour up here now that he has changed his mind and has signed for West Brom instead... I don't believe it, but it would be very funny if he did..

I believe this to be totally untrue as the more reliable source indicates he is currently having a medical at Stoke and will be unveiled later today.

I have just heard the same. Set to be unveiled today.

Still not to fussed about it though. Good player yes, but injury prone and getting however many millions for him is a bargain.

But it's time we raised the bar and started making notable signings. Get the fans on their feat with some excitment.

Apparently we did make Morrison an offer but he turned it down flat. There was no renegotiation so I'm told. So make of that what you will.
For me it's a case of we have our targets, wont pay their wages, we lose out and then say the players we wanted didn't become available...

[yuomi]

Kits spent most of the 2nd half of last season in and around the centre circle, epitomised by his woeful performances in home games against the likes of villa and everton, games that with more pragmatic and proactive an approach we might have had a chance to garner the odd point or two that might see out fixture list for this term look a little different. by no means can blame or responsibility be levelled solely at kits and, during his time with the club, he was for the most part a loyal servant with some great goals to look back on. That said, there is a part of me that delights more in the thought of how much more useful that 5m will be than he was...?

[Huntley & Palmer]

In reference to Dirk's post...

Of course I'm sad to see Kitson go, but I'm personally concerned about the bigger picture, rather than the individual merits (or otherwise) of individual players leaving.

It is completely understandable, and realistic for that matter, to expect that players will leave this summer - if you get relegated that's what happens.

My worry is about a general malaise in the way in which RFC is conducting business, and the adequacy of any potential replacements. The bottom line is our squad is undoubtedly the weakest it has been for 3 years, and I for one am worried about what we are going to do to rectify this. Whether it's Kitson, Kebe or the Kitman is irrelevant, it's who we get to replace them / add to the squad that is the major issue.

What he said. We must have known that Stoke were enquiring about Kitson for while, Hammond even stated on the official site that they would be aware of every single movement of players in and out of the Championship and make sure that the player would be offered to Coppell as an option. So how come we don't seem to be making any noises about players like Hulse or King or indeed any other signings? We are on the backfoot now and replacing Kitson will be a mammoth task

[Streets]

Kits spent most of the 2nd half of last season in and around the centre circle

Bit harsh. You might want to look towards the bench with regards to the tactics set out.

Kitson always gave everything for the cause. He's a battler, a winner. A large part of our winning mentality that took us up and kept us up.

[readingbedding]