Lita makes loan move

[Alan Partridge]

I confess I can't remember the last time Lita created a goal,

Seeing as you have a damned good memory for things RFC related that indicates it is a bloody long time.

In fairness he hasn't played much for us for a year now! He looked out of sorts at the start of the season, although the service was pretty average, he hardly mustered many attempts at goal. He would have had a few assists a couple of years ago but nothing springs to mind within the last year.

I think after Doyle and N Hunt we really have little squad depth at the present time, Coppell can talk about 5 strikers, the fact is Lita has done nothing for 18months, Long has done nothing consistently since he's been here and Mooney is totally unproven.

[Norfolk Royal]

Presume the deal includes a clause that he doesn't play against us. I'll try and catch a game he plays in and report back.

[Platypuss]

If Doyle were to pick up an injury I'd prefer to start NHunt with Lita rather than Long.

Unfortunately I have the unfounded feeling that Mooney will end up being filed under "Bennett, Alan".

[Royal Rother]

Lita was good enough 18months ago, more than good enough. The question has to be why isn't he now?

No dispespect to Lita, but, as I have said many times in the recent months, there is something not quite right in his head. To me it's more than just a confidence thing, it's almost like there is a mental block of some sort; although he desperately wants to score, he is more scared of missing so sub-consciously holds himself back from getting past the last defender and in on goal.

He probably suffers nightmares from that U21 tournament where, although he came good in the end, he missed a pen and shot wide of an open goal from a yard out. He's never been the same player since then.

[Alan Partridge]

Lita was good enough 18months ago, more than good enough. The question has to be why isn't he now?

No dispespect to Lita, but, as I have said many times in the recent months, there is something not quite right in his head. To me it's more than just a confidence thing, it's almost like there is a mental block of some sort; although he desperately wants to score, he is more scared of missing so sub-consciously holds himself back from getting past the last defender and in on goal.

He probably suffers nightmares from that U21 tournament where, although he came good in the end, he missed a pen and shot wide of an open goal from a yard out. He's never been the same player since then.

While I agree with your first bit of that post, he scored a pretty good goal or two after that miss in that tournament. It could well be a mental thing, scared stiff of missing yep maybe which again is confidence. They say it's time to worry when you aren't getting chances, that was certainly the case at the start of the season. Doyle mised a few (Forest header) had a couple at Charlton (forget the pen) but Lita I can't remember having one chance. Now that is partly down to the service as Lita is a different sort of player to Doyle but ultimately he used to be able to create something for himself at times. One touch and bang from 20 yards, i can't remember him even attempting these sort of things recently. I must say after his loan at Charlton he came back looking slightly sharper at the end of last season before his goal at Derby but he's slumping again. Maybe this loan can get something out of him again, a fit and firing Leroy Lita at this level is an asset that we could really do with, currently he is of no use whatsoever.

As Platypuss says if we get an injury to Doyle or N Hunt, and when Doyle goes in January what are we going to do? I would love to see Nugent come here, he is a very similar player to Doyle maybe they might look at someone like that to come in? Not sure but after N Hunt and Doyle there isn't a lot knocking on the door.

[andrew1957]

Whatever happens Lita's future will be settled in January.

If he is unwilling to sign a new contract (or Reading don't want to offer him one) we will have to sell him if we want any money back - or else he will go in the summer for free.

This loan is, therefore, a good thing for both Reading and the player as it means he is in the shop window. I hope he does well for both his sake and for the amount of money we will get for him.

[SpaceCruiser]

Ok, we know Lita's contract expires next summer, but do we know when Long's contract expires?

[Royal Rother]

If (big if) we sell Doyle, (and if Lita hasn't come back from Norwich firing on all cylinders in the meantime) we wouldn't need to keep all the money so I am sure we would sign another striker. Nugent would be my choice as well - Portsmouth are going to be skint so it is highly likely they will be looking to thin the squad out and, as we will be one of the very few clubs below Portsmouth's level with the ability to spend, I reckon there would be a reasonable chance of getting him. (If Coppell fancies him of course.)

[tlcs]

I know he will be pleased to be playing away at Bristol on the 18th.

Busy weekend night clubbing after the game !!!

[andrew1957]

Ok, we know Lita's contract expires next summer, but do we know when Long's contract expires?

Long is signed until June 2011

[rg6royal]

Seems a good loan move for him.

[SpaceCruiser]

Ok, we know Lita's contract expires next summer, but do we know when Long's contract expires?

Long is signed until June 2011

When did he sign that contract?

[andrew1957]

Ok, we know Lita's contract expires next summer, but do we know when Long's contract expires?

Long is signed until June 2011

When did he sign that contract?

He signed a 4 year contact in summer 2007. At that time he had the longest contract of any Reading player and SC went on about his great potential - hence the reason for the long contract.

[rhroyal]

For me Lita is by far and away the most frustrating player at this club, closely followed by Matejovsky and Long so far. We've all seen how good he can be when he's in the mood and I genuinely he can go on to be a class act of a striker. When he's sharp, strong and up for a game he looks deadly, and that's been the case in the Premiership before too. Yet ever since he over stretched in bed something has been missing, and I can't really say I know what it is. You say he's believed his own hype, but his ego was already huge when he joined us so that can't be what it's down to. Maybe he's sulking a bit, I just really don't get what it's entirely down to though. He could bring this division to it's knees if he was on top of his game every week and then cut it in the Premiership. However it just doesn't happen and I don't expect him to suddenly sort it out when he's at Norwich. I fear things may have soured between him and Reading and he will leave in January as a player who could have been great for us.

[Yorkshire Royal]

There's no conspiracy. There's no "big time charlie ego" going on. There's no "he's got a bad attitude" issue. This is all in the mind of judgemental Reading fans.

Anyone who saw the Stoke game will know what Lita's problem is. He's not very good anymore. Now this is a shame. And somewhat unexplained. Admittedly he's better than Long and Lita is potentially the MUCH better player, and therefore a better asset for the club should they wish to sell him. Or play him.

So he is sent on loan somewhere to get more minutes and there is 3 ouctomes :
1) He continues to be a useless footballer. Gets no goals or match time and the whole experience is a waste of time. He becomes a van driver.
2) He gets his confidence back, rediscovers how to play football and bangs the goals in. He returns in December, moves up the pecking order past Long and starts to score for Reading again.
3) He gets his confidence back, rediscovers how to play football and bangs the goals in. He returns in December and Reading sell him in January.

Outcome 1 makes no difference to Reading. Outcomes 2 and 3 are both good for Reading. So we can conclude this is a good move by the club.

[brendywendy]

i know loads of you hate him

but im really sorry to see him go

he had his chance at the end of last year, and the beginning of this one to cement his place in the team, and failed, thats why long was put in, and subsequently hunt getting his chance

somethings just not clicking, and hes far from the exciting player we bought,
maybe he'll do well at norwich and come back to replace doyle when he goes.

(its a bit early to judge mooney yet, since he was bought with doyles likely departure in mind, ill wait till jan and see if hes still no way near the squad
filing him under bennet is just daft, and that list of poor signings names you cling to is getting shorter every week)

whatever happens, i wish him loads of luck, and offer him my thanks, for that goal vs palace, and the 2 away at man city
to name but a few

[rhroyal]

Is it foregone that Doyle will leave in January? If we're looking like we'll go straight back up he may stick it till the end of the season. He's admitted before that he has a soft spot for us, giving him his chance and all that. I also imagine it would have to be a side who have a decent chance of survival coming in for him if we're near the top, not Stoke or West Brom or Fulham or anyone like that.

[Old Biscuitman]

Coppell is known to prefer his players to be intelligent. I know of course that this is a very relative term, but it seems to me to be the missing factor with Lita.

[brendywendy]

Is it foregone that Doyle will leave in January? If we're looking like we'll go straight back up he may stick it till the end of the season. He's admitted before that he has a soft spot for us, giving him his chance and all that. I also imagine it would have to be a side who have a decent chance of survival coming in for him if we're near the top, not Stoke or West Brom or Fulham or anyone like that.

its a nice thought, but unless we are clear and coasting again in jan, its a bit of a gamble for the lad
though at least he has no kids to support

[rhroyal]

Is it foregone that Doyle will leave in January? If we're looking like we'll go straight back up he may stick it till the end of the season. He's admitted before that he has a soft spot for us, giving him his chance and all that. I also imagine it would have to be a side who have a decent chance of survival coming in for him if we're near the top, not Stoke or West Brom or Fulham or anyone like that.

its a nice thought, but unless we are clear and coasting again in jan, its a bit of a gamble for the lad
though at least he has no kids to support

Is it that much of a gamble though? If we stay down he'll be sure to move in the summer anyway and moving to a team struggling near the bottom of the Premiership is a risk too.