Predictions as to who will go/stay

[under the tin]

Libertine,

Mills is history.
You read too much into the soundbites and platitudes that players get in the press.
Most of us this side of the pond regard £1Million as a lottery win.
We are given to understand that the club offered this kind of money to the player as an annual salary, in order to tie him to the club for a bit longer. That attempt has failed, because the player is aware that he is being courted by other clubs that are playing at a higher level, and will pay him even more than we can.

It serves to illustrate why many footballers are regarded by many as badge kissing mercenaries, because I can guarantee that you could cut and paste those comments attributed to the player, and stick them in the local newspapers at Stoke/Wolves/Leicester, or wherever else he ends up.
If he does well at the new club, and 2 years down the line he starts to attract the attention of bigger clubs still, then the whole process is repeated.

We can't stop players like Mills from going, but I agree with some on here that point out that the club needs to be careful as to how it is perceived by ambitious competitive sportsmen.
Blackburn were publicly snubbed only this week.
All things are relative, but if, at our level, the club is viewed in the same way, it will, in my opinion, impinge on the club's ability to attract players of the right calibre, and could ultimately affect the club's ability to remain competitive at this level.

[Libertine]

I don't disagree with you.

But it seems, with seems being the operative word, that Mills, and for that matter Gylfi before him, weren't mercenarily looking to leave. It appears the decision to move the players is mainly one made by the club. I don't think that Mills is either that flaky or that cynical to declare one week his desire to stay then turn around the next week and break off new contract talks and force the team's hand in selling him. Something doesn't add up here.

Most players with any degree of talent, at the level which they are at with Reading, realize their chance for the big payday and move up will come. I think after last year Mills is of the thinking "let's give this one more go here, we were, and still are, very close." I applaud him for that. But sometimes the business interests of the club even trump a player's loyalty to his club, no matter how infrequently that is seen in the modern footballing world. So who can blame the players for being mercenary when their employers treat them like commodities to be bought, sold and in some cases depreciated and written off like they were office furniture.

At least Mills can walk out the door here when he is sold, and moves on to greener professional pastures, telling himself it wasn't he who was mercenary in this case.

[Arch]

But it seems, with seems being the operative word, that Mills, and for that matter Gylfi before him, weren't mercenarily looking to leave. It appears the decision to move the players is mainly one made by the club.

There's really nothing that constitutes remotely plausible evidence for this. It's wishful thinking and no more.

[under the tin]

I don't disagree with you.

But it seems, with seems being the operative word, that Mills, and for that matter Gylfi before him, weren't mercenarily looking to leave. It appears the decision to move the players is mainly one made by the club.

Sorry, (and you're not talking to a "party loyalist" here), these really are two different situations.

If we are to believe what we have been told in the press by the manager, who seems at least to be a straightforward bloke, then Gylfi's departure was a direct consequence of the club getting an offer that it was in absolutely no position to turn down. This (here we go) "very well run club" suddenly found that there was a 4 million pound hole to fill, and someone came along with a plug for that hole.
If we are to believe what Brian tells us, then there were real tears shed by all parties at our end, it was a sacrifice made to protect the longer term future of the club.

This time, (so we are told), the club offer a player (currently contracted to the club), a bloody great big pay rise, on an extended contract, yet he turns it down.
Are these the actions of an organisation that wants rid of a member of staff ?
To use an Americanism,
Go Figure.

[Cypry]

^ this - Gylfi might not have wanted to leave, but he knew it was the right thing for both the club, and more importantly, his own career - I was in a similar situation a few years back - working in a good job with good people, but someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse and I moved on, albeit wit a heavy heart.

In Mills case, the club have obviously tried to hang on by making him a better offer, but he turned that down and has left the club little choice. They either sell now for decent money, or refuse to sell and risk having an unhappy player who runs down his contract and leaves on a free in a years time.....I know which of the two I'd prefer.....

[howser]

Many concerns here, it has been said today that, for example, Paterson will be brought in if Long goes, thats all well and good but if we are going to use the theory that we will get someone in when a player leaves, thats ok, but we dont exactly have a great record of last minute buys and the old familiar " we will go with what we have" becomes over used again. Additionally if we wait as it has been suggested anyone worth their salt will have already gone to pastures new and all thats left is what others dont want.

[The Rouge]

But it seems, with seems being the operative word, that Mills, and for that matter Gylfi before him, weren't mercenarily looking to leave. It appears the decision to move the players is mainly one made by the club.

There's really nothing that constitutes remotely plausible evidence for this. It's wishful thinking and no more.

Well there is really, he would have made a transfer request as soon as his agent said the interest was solid and genuine. The interest is solid and genuine and he hasn't made a transfer request.

[Cypry]

But it seems, with seems being the operative word, that Mills, and for that matter Gylfi before him, weren't mercenarily looking to leave. It appears the decision to move the players is mainly one made by the club.

There's really nothing that constitutes remotely plausible evidence for this. It's wishful thinking and no more.

Well there is really, he would have made a transfer request as soon as his agent said the interest was solid and genuine. The interest is solid and genuine and he hasn't made a transfer request.

I saw somewhere that if he puts in a transfer request then he loses out on a considerable amount of cash, however, if he waits until the club put an offer to him, then he's quids in - if this is true then there's no way he'd put in a request - all he had to do was fail to agree a new contract and he gets to keep his cash, and leaves the club little choice but to sell, or risk him leaving on a free next year and losing out on £3 million +

I find it amazing how many people think that all the club want to do is sell their assets - let's face it, why would they offer Mills a new contract if they didn't wan him to stay?

[Hoop Blah]

But it seems, with seems being the operative word, that Mills, and for that matter Gylfi before him, weren't mercenarily looking to leave. It appears the decision to move the players is mainly one made by the club.

There's really nothing that constitutes remotely plausible evidence for this. It's wishful thinking and no more.

Well there is really, he would have made a transfer request as soon as his agent said the interest was solid and genuine. The interest is solid and genuine and he hasn't made a transfer request.

Very few players put in a request to leave these days, purely because it will usually leave them out of pocket. All this 'refuses to rock the boat' business is just bollocks really. He's obviously well aware of the interest in him and is just being patient for the clubs to come to their inevitable agreement on a fee before doing a runner.

He hasn't done anything wrong as such, he doesn't appear to have been agitating for a move but I'm sure at the same time he and his agent know exactly whats on the table from other clubs and that's why they've turned down the contract from us.

[under the tin]

Very few players put in a request to leave these days, purely because it will usually leave them out of pocket. All this 'refuses to rock the boat' business is just bollocks really. He's obviously well aware of the interest in him and is just being patient for the clubs to come to their inevitable agreement on a fee before doing a runner.

He hasn't done anything wrong as such, he doesn't appear to have been agitating for a move but I'm sure at the same time he and his agent know exactly whats on the table from other clubs and that's why they've turned down the contract from us.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Nail. Head.+1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.
Some footballers may be as thick as pigsh!t, but their agents aren't.
Today, it is only about money.
That's why I haven't renewed my season ticket. (I'm a 40 odd year fan)
I feel sorry for John Madejski.
The man thought we could build a football club based on a sensible business model.
So did I.
Fact is, all the extra monies generated by our rise up the league ladder are being hoovered up by people who view our loyalty as fans as a stepping stone to futher their personal career and wage progression.
If the club was making a profit out of my puny contribution, then I would'nt begrudge Madejski a penny of it, given the pleasure the club have given me, but
I don't buy my season ticket to turn people like Mills into multi millionaires.

Sod this for a game of soldiers.

[CayeneMatt]

and that's why they've turned down the contract from us.

I've seen this a few times now on HNA, so I must've missed something........ When did Mills reject a new contract?

[Hoop Blah]

and that's why they've turned down the contract from us.

I've seen this a few times now on HNA, so I must've missed something........ When did Mills reject a new contract?

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2095438_mills_fails_to_agree_new_deal

Not sure if the club have confirmed it or not mind.

[Who Moved The Goalposts?]

Nail. Head.+1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.
Some footballers may be as thick as pigsh!t, but their agents aren't.
Today, it is only about money.
That's why I haven't renewed my season ticket. (I'm a 40 odd year fan)
I feel sorry for John Madejski.
The man thought we could build a football club based on a sensible business model.
So did I.
Fact is, all the extra monies generated by our rise up the league ladder are being hoovered up by people who view our loyalty as fans as a stepping stone to futher their personal career and wage progression.
If the club was making a profit out of my puny contribution, then I would'nt begrudge Madejski a penny of it, given the pleasure the club have given me, but
I don't buy my season ticket to turn people like Mills into multi millionaires.

Sod this for a game of soldiers.

Great post- couldn't have put it better myself. When you add this to the fact that clubs have absolutely no scruples when it comes to spending money they don't have because they know the'll get away with it when the shit hits the fan (I see Leicester are at it again), then is it any wonder why the average football fan thinks their money is better spent elsewhere?

[brendywendy]

Many concerns here, it has been said today that, for example, Paterson will be brought in if Long goes, thats all well and good but if we are going to use the theory that we will get someone in when a player leaves, thats ok, but we dont exactly have a great record of last minute buys and the old familiar " we will go with what we have" becomes over used again. Additionally if we wait as it has been suggested anyone worth their salt will have already gone to pastures new and all thats left is what others dont want.

no else one wanted bryn, s.hunt,ivar, sonko, doyle, long too

[brendywendy]

The man thought we could build a football club based on a sensible business model.

and has succeeded. shirley.

[Ian Royal]

Many concerns here, it has been said today that, for example, Paterson will be brought in if Long goes, thats all well and good but if we are going to use the theory that we will get someone in when a player leaves, thats ok, but we dont exactly have a great record of last minute buys and the old familiar " we will go with what we have" becomes over used again. Additionally if we wait as it has been suggested anyone worth their salt will have already gone to pastures new and all thats left is what others dont want.

no else one wanted bryn, s.hunt,ivar, sonko, doyle, long too

We poached Shunt from Barnsley or Bradford I think. He'd had a medical and was about to sign for them when he got a call from Coppell and leaped at the chance to play for us in the Champ. IIRC of course.

[brendywendy]

Many concerns here, it has been said today that, for example, Paterson will be brought in if Long goes, thats all well and good but if we are going to use the theory that we will get someone in when a player leaves, thats ok, but we dont exactly have a great record of last minute buys and the old familiar " we will go with what we have" becomes over used again. Additionally if we wait as it has been suggested anyone worth their salt will have already gone to pastures new and all thats left is what others dont want.

no else one wanted bryn, s.hunt,ivar, sonko, doyle, long too

We poached Shunt from Barnsley or Bradford I think. He'd had a medical and was about to sign for them when he got a call from Coppell and leaped at the chance to play for us in the Champ. IIRC of course.

sorry- i meant no one of any note

[Royal With Cheese]

We poached Shunt from Barnsley or Bradford I think. He'd had a medical and was about to sign for them when he got a call from Coppell and leaped at the chance to play for us in the Champ. IIRC of course.

sorry- i meant no one of any note

That we then sold on for >3 million?
Wierd use of the phrase that brendy.

[JimmytheJim]

We poached Shunt from Barnsley or Bradford I think. He'd had a medical and was about to sign for them when he got a call from Coppell and leaped at the chance to play for us in the Champ. IIRC of course.

sorry- i meant no one of any note

That we then sold on for >3 million?
Wierd use of the phrase that brendy.

As in bradford or barnsley aren't exacty big name competitors for a signing. No offence intended to either club.

[brendywendy]

We poached Shunt from Barnsley or Bradford I think. He'd had a medical and was about to sign for them when he got a call from Coppell and leaped at the chance to play for us in the Champ. IIRC of course.

sorry- i meant no one of any note

That we then sold on for >3 million?
Wierd use of the phrase that brendy.

clearly i was talking about when we bought him,not when we sold him. and clearly i was talking about clubs of any note, not players:

the whole post was simply in response to the statement that players who no one else wants, when we buy them, are obviously shit. so i listed a load of players who werent wanted by other clubs, and who turned out to be some of the greatest players, in terms of achievement,weve ever seen at RFC.then someone said one of the players i mentioned was wanted by clubs(who were shit), and i said ok then, no club of any note was interested.