Summer Rebuild

[Ian Royal]

It is an obsession, yes - but it has roots. In general (not always, obvs) players on frees aren't as 'good' as players with contracts, and if a club is competing for the services of a contracted player who costs X amount of money (and still requiring wages) it shows they are more up for sticking their hands in their pockets, which means they are looking for more of a return (hence 'ambition'). It's a crude way of looking at it but not without justification.

Clubs spending more money is a sign of intent, whereas clubs being a bit tighter can be a sign they just want to make do. That's not to say a tighter approach will always see less success but some players are in contract and cost more money for a reason.

Wage budget is a far greater correlation to success. And our record with big value signings is poor.

Fees spent is a terrible way of judging success.

[Who Moved The Goalposts?]

It is an obsession, yes - but it has roots. In general (not always, obvs) players on frees aren't as 'good' as players with contracts, and if a club is competing for the services of a contracted player who costs X amount of money (and still requiring wages) it shows they are more up for sticking their hands in their pockets, which means they are looking for more of a return (hence 'ambition'). It's a crude way of looking at it but not without justification.

Clubs spending more money is a sign of intent, whereas clubs being a bit tighter can be a sign they just want to make do. That's not to say a tighter approach will always see less success but some players are in contract and cost more money for a reason.

Wage budget is a far greater correlation to success. And our record with big value signings is poor.

Fees spent is a terrible way of judging success.

Think EP was measuring intent, not success, but your end point is hard to argue with.

[Who Moved The Goalposts?]

If you speak with players they laugh at the idea of signing on fees nowadays, unless you are a top player

As you seem to be ITK, what - as Yately Royal already asked - is your evidence for this?

[Extended-Phenotype]

It is an obsession, yes - but it has roots. In general (not always, obvs) players on frees aren't as 'good' as players with contracts, and if a club is competing for the services of a contracted player who costs X amount of money (and still requiring wages) it shows they are more up for sticking their hands in their pockets, which means they are looking for more of a return (hence 'ambition'). It's a crude way of looking at it but not without justification.

Clubs spending more money is a sign of intent, whereas clubs being a bit tighter can be a sign they just want to make do. That's not to say a tighter approach will always see less success but some players are in contract and cost more money for a reason.

Wage budget is a far greater correlation to success. And our record with big value signings is poor.

Fees spent is a terrible way of judging success.

Think EP was measuring intent, not success, but your end point is hard to argue with.

This. But I don't disagree with your entirely seperate point.

[paddy20]

If you speak with players they laugh at the idea of signing on fees nowadays, unless you are a top player

As you seem to be ITK, what - as Yately Royal already asked - is your evidence for this?

As I said just speaking to players. I do have some contacts who are players that say that. Again it is totally different if you are a top premiership player but for most apparently because the wages are so high compared to a few years ago these type of add ons are rare.

[winchester_royal]

Agent's fees are very much real though.

[Forbury Lion]

Agent's fees are very much real though.

If the club employ an agent they pay the fees, If the player employs an agent they should pay the fees.... but in reality, the club probably end up paying it.

[SCIAG]

Signing on fees are very much still relevant, they're just generally called "loyalty bonuses" and are paid incrementally.

[floyd__streete]

Good move in basically bringing in the spine of a new team so far. McShane always struck me as a bit of a liability in Premier League terms, but he should be good enough in the Champ you'd have thought and lets be honest the fella he is replacing wasn't exactly Franco Baresi himself. Quinn seems to me to fit the 'bloke who runs around a lot' midfielder you probably need at this level and the very fact that he has a pulse makes him > Oliver Norwood. Equally, Sa > Blackman. Don't know a lot about the 'keeper but the very fact we have a 'keeper is rather splendid, bring in Al Habsi and we're in decent shape there.

Overall then, expectations for next season raised from ' ' to ' '. Good work everyone.

[Ian Royal]

So to show intent you have to follow an expensive and unreliable method to success just to please some simpletons E-Po?

Then I for one stand against the club showing 'intent', because it's showing intent to operate badly.

[RoyallyFcuked]

So we've had a bids rejected for both Beric and Donaldson. Are we just hoping to get one of these two or are we trying to sign both?

If we are trying to bring in 2 more strikers (which I hope we are), surely that would mean at least one striker at the club but probably two will be leaving?

This would suggest that its Cox and Pog but I actually think Cox deserves another season and who in their right mind would take Pog off our hands?

[Coppelled_Streets]

So we've had a bids rejected for both Beric and Donaldson. Are we just hoping to get one of these two or are we trying to sign both?

Howe said we wanted both.

[paultheroyal]

So we've had a bids rejected for both Beric and Donaldson. Are we just hoping to get one of these two or are we trying to sign both?

If we are trying to bring in 2 more strikers (which I hope we are), surely that would mean at least one striker at the club but probably two will be leaving?

This would suggest that its Cox and Pog but I actually think Cox deserves another season and who in their right mind would take Pog off our hands?

Kanu is off to QPR.

[RoyallyFcuked]

I wish HRK was leaving. I was going to say he is probably the most likely to leave, although he's not technically a striker.

I think last season was his year to prove himself and he failed to do it.

Only problem is, I doubt that any club will be prepared to meet the asking price of whatever we value him at, as its probably too high.

[Coppelled_Streets]

So we've had a bids rejected for both Beric and Donaldson. Are we just hoping to get one of these two or are we trying to sign both?

If we are trying to bring in 2 more strikers (which I hope we are), surely that would mean at least one striker at the club but probably two will be leaving?

This would suggest that its Cox and Pog but I actually think Cox deserves another season and who in their right mind would take Pog off our hands?

Kanu is off to QPR.

LMFAO. I hope you're not on the WUM. That would be amazing!

[RoyallyFcuked]

So we've had a bids rejected for both Beric and Donaldson. Are we just hoping to get one of these two or are we trying to sign both?

Howe said we wanted both.

So he did, my bad. I even read that article yesterday

[Extended-Phenotype]

So to show intent you have to follow an expensive and unreliable method to success just to please some simpletons E-Po?

Then I for one stand against the club showing 'intent', because it's showing intent to operate badly.

You're hungry.

Didn't say anybody has to do anything. Just pointing out that some fans silly obsession with signing contracted players stems from the reality that better players are more often in contract than available on a free, and being willing to pay good money for a good player is setting sights a little higher than just seeing what you can hoover up for nothing.

[paddy20]

Agent's fees are very much real though.

Very True

[paddy20]

Should we be trying to sign some of theses Thai stars, they sound pretty good

[winchester_royal]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33442952

The Thai consortium which owns Reading is confident of securing deals for "three or four" more new players before the start of the Championship season.
Shareholder Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth told BBC Radio Berkshire deals should be completed within the next two weeks.
Reading finished their pre-season tour of the country with a 2-2 draw against a Thai Allstars XI in Bangkok.
Nick Blackman and Pavel Pogrebnyak scored either side of goals in each half for the home side.
Speaking before the game, Mr Thanakarnjanasuth was bullish about the season ahead.
"Premier League football is what we're targeting with (manager) Steve Clarke," he said.
"He comes up with a lot of ideas in our meetings and everyone is going in the same direction.
"Right now, we're talking to three or four players about deals, which we should finalise within the next two weeks."
Among those to feature for Reading in the match in Bangkok was former Bolton and Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi who is training with the club with a view to a permanent deal.
There were also substitute appearances from new signings Jonathan Bond, Paul McShane and Stephen Quinn.
Mr Thanakarnjanasuth, who owns a 25% stake in the Royals, revealed he and the consortium had looked at other potential English clubs to invest in before choosing Reading.
"We saw lots of promise in the club and the area and in particular, the under-21 side and the academy," he added.
Mr Thanakarnjanasuth shares the same stake as Lady Sasima Srivikorn with Narin Niruttinanon owning the remaining 50%.
Outside of football, Mr Thanakarnjanasuth's interests include a major clothing manufacturer and exporter as well as real estate businesses in Thailand.
During the club's visit this week, talk also emerged of the consortium's potential interest in developing land around the Madejski Stadium into a conference and entertainment venue.
"We're only concentrating on the football," Mr Thanakarnjanasuth added.
"The land and potential around the stadium is a by-product, but not our main purpose.
"There's not a concrete plan at this stage. We will talk about it in the future, but right now, we're concentrating on a new season with new players and who can we bring in."

Intriguing.