wingers / pace up front

[Saint Keith]

i havent caught up with everything over the past few weeks, but are we a bit short of fire power up front?

 

id heard we'd let papa and antonio go, and it doesnt seem we have replaced them. im a bit concerned. i know we have connoly re-signed, but no guarentee how much he will be fit

 

are we going to be playing a different style this season, or are we expecting some firepower and pace to arrive in the next couple of weeks?

[Ewell]

Personally like most I think we are short ofone body that will give this option. Antonio would be ideal but it appears reading seem to be giving him a chance. Oxlade-Chamberlain may prove to be as good an impact option but he is untried yet so it is a worry.

 

I am sure someone who offers this will be hear before the end of August and it may end up being a player like Antonio on a season long loan.

[Give it to Ron]

We didn't let them go....they were loans that returned to their respective clubs.

I am sure Pardew realises we need to replace them and will if he has the funds.

Priority IMO is a back up to Lambert.

We still need pace up front agreed.

[Cricketphilly]

Personally like most I think we are short ofone body that will give this option. Antonio would be ideal but it appears reading seem to be giving him a chance. Oxlade-Chamberlain may prove to be as good an impact option but he is untried yet so it is a worry.

 

I am sure someone who offers this will be hear before the end of August and it may end up being a player like Antonio on a season long loan.

 

Have we heard any noises from Reading regarding Antonio?

[Matthew Le God]

i havent caught up with everything over the past few weeks, but are we a bit short of fire power up front?

 

id heard we'd let papa and antonio go, and it doesnt seem we have replaced them. im a bit concerned. i know we have connoly re-signed, but no guarentee how much he will be fit

 

are we going to be playing a different style this season, or are we expecting some firepower and pace to arrive in the next couple of weeks?

 

Lallana and Puncheon were first choice wide midfielders last season and started every game when available as the wide players. I see no reason why losing two fringe players means a change in style is required. Lallana and Puncheon will remain the first choice wide players in 2010/11.

 

New signing Ryan Dickson is pacy and can play left wing. Alot of people seem to have forgotten this. Also Jason Puncheon is hardly slow! Nor is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who although very young, will likely be used as an impact sub over the next couple of seasons.

Edited 21 July, 2010 by Matthew Le God

[Turkish]

i havent caught up with everything over the past few weeks, but are we a bit short of fire power up front?

 

id heard we'd let papa and antonio go, and it doesnt seem we have replaced them. im a bit concerned. i know we have connoly re-signed, but no guarentee how much he will be fit

 

are we going to be playing a different style this season, or are we expecting some firepower and pace to arrive in the next couple of weeks?

 

League goals

Lambert 31

Barnard 24

Lallana 15

Plus hopefuly a fit Connolly this season.

 

Most clubs wish they were that short of fire power.

[Smirking_Saint]

OX-C will play a lot this year from the bench IMO, AP is clearly trying him out in pre-season and that speaks volumes for me, i trust AP in the fact that if he thinks Ox-C is good enough not to bring in another Waigo/Antonio than he will be good enough.

 

It would be nice to bring in another pacy winger, long have i thought that pace is one of those attributes that gives players so much (in some ways more than technical ability) and at this level pace has so much impact.

 

It would also be nice to have a pacy striker but in reality we don't really play that way so its not desperate.

[saintwarwick]

Lallana and Puncheon were first choice wide midfielders last season and started every game when available as the wide players. I see no reason why losing two fringe players means a change in style is required. Lallana and Puncheon will remain the first choice wide players in 2010.

 

New signing Ryan Dickson is pacy and can play left wing. Alot of people seem to have forgotten this. Also Jason Puncheon is hardly slow! Nor is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who although very young, will likely be used as an impact sub over the next couple of seasons.

 

Good post and I sgree, Papa was only ever a sub and Antonio was not first choice ahead of Puncheon. Watch out for Oxo kid this next season

[Thedelldays]

antonio would cover the pacey striker and winger in one

[Lets B Avenue]

A Reading fan told me, at the weekend, that Antonio was injured.

[ART]

I have a feeling that a number of players will arrive on loan as with last season. Surely though we don't need to wait for the loan window to have them arrive?

[Saint Garrett]

Think clubs generally only like loaning out players once the transfer window is closed due to clubs wanting to know their final squad before realising that a player they loaned out 6 weeks ago could have actually done a good job for them.

[Dazza82]

I can see us playing a 4-2-3-1 formation with the squad we have at the minute, with plenty of width pace and creativity. We could line up like this

 

---------------------Davis------------------

Butterfield*---Fonte---Jahdi----Harding

---------Hammond--Schneiderlin--------

Puncheon---------Lallana-----------Dickson

-------------------Lambert------------------

 

(* Richardson when fit)

 

Which could easily be changed to a 4-4-2 formation

 

---------------------Davis------------------

Butterfield*---Fonte---Jahdi----Harding

Puncheon--Hammond--Schneiderlin--Lallana

--------Lambert---Connolly/Barnard-----

 

Still agree we need a pacey striker and a back up for Lambert, I thought we would of been in for Tom Craddock considering we were linked with him last year.

 

All in all think we have enough about us apart from Striker, also Butterfield can play Cm

[Joensuu]

A Reading fan told me, at the weekend, that Antonio was injured.

 

Apparently has had some form of back trouble, but played the last 30 minutes of their game yesterday. Apparently he "looked lively" and "linked up well"

 

http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2074949_nk_celje_1_reading_fc_0

[West End Saint]

I agree we need some pace in the side maybe oxy chamberlin can step up but the most urgent need in my book is a quality centre mid fielder we need cover and competition for Hammond & Spiderman

[forever a red and white]

don;t forget we have Lee Holmes back now which will be like a new signing itself if he is fit. Oxlade-Chamberlin will also feature more, so there is your pace and cover for wide positions, we can adopt formations and positions for Lallna and Punch

[Hopkins]

Can't honestly believe that people are still thinking Antonio was just an impact sub from the bench. He started in big games where Pardew favoured a 451 formation and in games such as Charlton he won it for us. Yes Puncheon and Lallana were first choice but at times one of those three played just off Lambert. We need another pacy winger. I'm confident we'll get it and even if its just Waigo i'll be quite chuffed knowing that Oxlade-Chamberlin is coming through but the dismissal of Antonio/Waigo as just options off the bench if baffling.

[Ken Tone]

Apparently has had some form of back trouble, but played the last 30 minutes of their game yesterday. Apparently he "looked lively" and "linked up well"

 

http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2074949_nk_celje_1_reading_fc_0

 

That's a bad sign for us. I'd had a quick look at the Reading web site but couldn't see him mentioned. But what you've found shows he was taken ontheir pre-season tour to Slovenia and is therefore presumably considered part of their plans for this season, so it's unlikely that he will somehow still sign for us after all, as some seem to expect. He's a real loss to us IMO.... a real shame we didn't get him permanently.

 

K.

[Matthew Le God]

Can't honestly believe that people are still thinking Antonio was just an impact sub from the bench. He started in big games where Pardew favoured a 451 formation and in games such as Charlton he won it for us. Yes Puncheon and Lallana were first choice but at times one of those three played just off Lambert. We need another pacy winger. I'm confident we'll get it and even if its just Waigo i'll be quite chuffed knowing that Oxlade-Chamberlin is coming through but the dismissal of Antonio/Waigo as just options off the bench if baffling.

 

Antonio - started 14 League game and came on as sub 14 times

Papa Waigo - started 11 League games and came on as sub 24 times

[Saint Garrett]

He did make an impact and change the game in some big games for us this season!

[Saint_clark]

MLG they were still very big players for us, watch the videos on youtube of every goal from last season and that will prove it.

I'm gutted we're not getting Antonio back and it makes the Reading friendly seem very random.

However, we have more pace than people give us credit for - Harding, Dickson, Richardson, Puncheon, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana and even Connolly has a bit of pace.

[Saint Garrett]

I think it's a big risk if we don't get anyone else in that can play that role. If this happens then it's basically saying that Pards thinks Oxlade-Chamberlain is ready. I hope he is and I hope he will be a big player for us, but it's a big risk!

[Hopkins]

Antonio - started 14 League game and came on as sub 14 times

Papa Waigo - started 11 League games and came on as sub 24 times

 

Thats nice.

 

Because I CBA to look further back i'll start with after the Cup Final when our run in and results were essential.

 

Brighton away. One of our toughest run in fixtures. Antonio, Puncheon and Lallana started in what I assume was a 451 variation

Leyton Orient at home. 442. Antonio on the bench.

Charlton at home. Another one of our toughest games. All 3 started. Antonio won it for us. Without him and Davis we'd have been stuffed.

Bristol Rovers away. We play 451 and destroy them. All 3 start.

Yeovil. All 3 start. Antonio is subbed off at HT.

Oldham at home. Antonio on the bench. And I think we'll all agree we lacked much creativity, unpredictability and it was strange Antonio wasn't bought on. 0-0.

Carlisle. All 3 start. Puncheon in the middle. Antonio scores twice.

 

I'll leave the last two games because we start mucking about with team selections to look towards this season. however the one game he didn't play out of those two we lost.

 

Antonio came here a very raw player. He ended up much more than just some option off the bench, often favoured over Barnard in some of the bigger and more vital games.

[Matthew Le God]

MLG they were still very big players for us, watch the videos on youtube of every goal from last season and that will prove it.

I'm gutted we're not getting Antonio back and it makes the Reading friendly seem very random.

However, we have more pace than people give us credit for - Harding, Dickson, Richardson, Puncheon, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana and even Connolly has a bit of pace.

 

Thats nice.

 

Because I CBA to look further back i'll start with after the Cup Final when our run in and results were essential.

 

Brighton away. One of our toughest run in fixtures. Antonio, Puncheon and Lallana started in what I assume was a 451 variation

Leyton Orient at home. 442. Antonio on the bench.

Charlton at home. Another one of our toughest games. All 3 started. Antonio won it for us. Without him and Davis we'd have been stuffed.

Bristol Rovers away. We play 451 and destroy them. All 3 start.

Yeovil. All 3 start. Antonio is subbed off at HT.

Oldham at home. Antonio on the bench. And I think we'll all agree we lacked much creativity, unpredictability and it was strange Antonio wasn't bought on. 0-0.

Carlisle. All 3 start. Puncheon in the middle. Antonio scores twice.

 

I'll leave the last two games because we start mucking about with team selections to look towards this season. however the one game he didn't play out of those two we lost.

 

Antonio came here a very raw player. He ended up much more than just some option off the bench, often favoured over Barnard in some of the bigger and more vital games.

 

At no point have I denied Antonio and Papa Waigo played important roles. I was just showing how little they started and that even if they were still here, Lallana and Puncheon would remain first choice.

[MarkSFC]

Of papa and Antonio I would go for Antonio because I think he improved greatly and finished the season best. Not overly fussed if we get him but definitely need someone of his type. Ox-C is probably at a similar place in his development to where Antonio was 12 months ago if not a bit ahead. The big diffeence is that Ox-C is 3 years ahead!! Very excitin prospect.

[Ozkeith2]

If Oxl-ch is good enough then he's the man either/both as wide & pacey & as support striker. Pards may choose to look no further.

How does he (Oxl-ch) compare with Wallcott when he was here?

 

The biggest worries for me are if Lambert or Hammond / Spiderman get long term injuries - do we need to buy or are there some other likely lads from the academy? (i don't think so - we're probably a couple of years away from having our Barca-style production line bear fruit)

 

Currently, if Lambert & (say) spiderman are injured, then the first team midfield & forwards may be:

 

Pucheon, Hammond, WOTTON, Lallana;

 

Barnard, Connolly.

 

Spot the weak link !!!!

[The Kraken]

Of papa and Antonio I would go for Antonio because I think he improved greatly and finished the season best. Not overly fussed if we get him but definitely need someone of his type. Ox-C is probably at a similar place in his development to where Antonio was 12 months ago if not a bit ahead. The big diffeence is that Ox-C is 3 years ahead!! Very excitin prospect.

 

While I think Oxo may be used a fair bit, I'd prefer if we had an Antonio-type figure as well. At 16/17 he is going to need to play a couple of games then sit out a game or two, so as to nurture his development. And being so yound he will be much more prone to lapses in form throughout the season, so it would be naive to think he can be Puncheon's replacement all on his own.

[saintsub]

Ox Chamberlain is very, very quick (yes as quick as Theo was at the same age) - I have spoken to a few people who know his potential and he may just prove to be a suprise package this season. Yes he is young but why would AP bring him through so quickly if he did not think he has that magic ingredient? An impact player who will probably play an increasingly important role for us this season.

[The Kraken]

The biggest worries for me are if Lambert or Hammond / Spiderman get long term injuries - do we need to buy or are there some other likely lads from the academy? (i don't think so - we're probably a couple of years away from having our Barca-style production line bear fruit)

 

I think this is where you will find common consensus across this whole message board; to ensure a smooth promotion push we would be much better served by having another strong CM to support Hammond and Schneiderlin. Wotton and Puncheon can come in and do a job (Wotton played the JPT final and we didn't do badly there), but neither can be considered a proper long term option. We got away with Morgan and Hammond last season, but maybe having a third CM will give us more options, allow them more rest by alternating with midweek games, and generally keep them all on their toes by providing competition for their place.

 

Edit: and forgot to add, I believe AP has already stated that he's looking for a Lambert-cover, so we can presume that is in-hand.

[beatlesaint]

Ox-Cha has not yet got the physical presence and more importantly, strength that Antonio has. In this league some of those brutish defenders will push him off the ball like you or i would swat away a fly.

 

If AP is planning on using him in the Antonio role then I fancy we may be left lacking a bit.

 

Fully expct to see a pacy wide man who can play up front signed before end of August however and that will leave Ox-Cha to develop without any added pressure.

[MarkSFC]

While I think Oxo may be used a fair bit, I'd prefer if we had an Antonio-type figure as well. At 16/17 he is going to need to play a couple of games then sit out a game or two, so as to nurture his development. And being so yound he will be much more prone to lapses in form throughout the season, so it would be naive to think he can be Puncheon's replacement all on his own.

 

Agree, Im sure OxC will be used primarily from the bench hence we need a quality pacy player up the right/through the middle. Pardew may give OxC a full run in the cups.

 

Id love to see us sign Charlie Austin, tall, good pace, eye for goal, young, and I think he can play off Lambert, with Barnard/Connolly or even out wide.

[Saint Charlie]

Dickson hasn't been signed to play midfield. He used to play there, much like Bridge did, but when he plays for us it will be LB where he has made his name. He has no real pedigree at LM and his career took off when playing LB.

 

Stop mentioning he can play there!

[saint1977]

Totally agree with the OP. We do have excellent forward players - Lambert, Barnard, Connolly (if fit) and Puncheon and Lallana will contribute regularly from wide. However, cast your mind back to games like Stockport and MK Dons where the pace of Waigo/Antonio stretched teams and gave us the ability to get in behind them. If those players with pace hadn't have come on, there's no way we'd have scored in those games.

 

Pardew also knows this and have been thwarted on Antonio and allegedly Adomah, he'll be hunting for that player/s, possibly on loan again.

[SNSUN]

Aside from Fraser's injury, and waiting for Bart to sign, our back five spots are fine. Really we're three signingS away from League One perfection, a midfielder in the middle and a pacy winger and a tall striker. I am fully confident in Pardew though, he'll know what he needs.

[PokingFun]

If Oxl-ch is good enough then he's the man either/both as wide & pacey & as support striker. Pards may choose to look no further.

How does he (Oxl-ch) compare with Wallcott when he was here?

 

The biggest worries for me are if Lambert or Hammond / Spiderman get long term injuries - do we need to buy or are there some other likely lads from the academy? (i don't think so - we're probably a couple of years away from having our Barca-style production line bear fruit)

 

Currently, if Lambert & (say) spiderman are injured, then the first team midfield & forwards may be:

 

Pucheon, Hammond, WOTTON, Lallana;

 

Barnard, Connolly.

 

Spot the weak link !!!!

 

Henderson in an interview with the Pink was suggesting that the lad has a very big future now he is around the frst team.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

In terms of cm cover, I would guess that when Richardson is fit again, Butterfield may move above Wotton in the pecking order. However, I still think we need someone as good as if not better than Hammond and Morgan.

[jasoneuelllfanclub]

Can't honestly believe that people are still thinking Antonio was just an impact sub from the bench. He started in big games where Pardew favoured a 451 formation and in games such as Charlton he won it for us. Yes Puncheon and Lallana were first choice but at times one of those three played just off Lambert. We need another pacy winger. I'm confident we'll get it and even if its just Waigo i'll be quite chuffed knowing that Oxlade-Chamberlin is coming through but the dismissal of Antonio/Waigo as just options off the bench if baffling.

 

Antonio didn't have staminamake impact for 90 minutes. He was definately better coming off the bench same as Papa was. A good pre season and a year older may mean he can make bigger impact when in the starting line up.

[Chez]

In terms of cm cover' date=' I would guess that when Richardson is fit again, Butterfield may move above Wotton in the pecking order. However, I still think we need someone as good as if not better than Hammond and Morgan.[/quote']

 

Butterfied at centre midfield? Just how many times did this lad play in that position and how good was he? My guess is not very often and not very well. Just a guess mind.

 

While I am at it, is Chamberlain actually a winger as AP played him down the middle when he came on against Carlise.

 

I doubt also that Dickson plays at left midfield (and would struggle as Mills did) so with Holmes as our only cover perhaps that is another position that needs attention. Holmes' fans will obviously disagree.

[Saint Garrett]

I think we're very much covered in the LM department. with Punch, Lallana, Dickson, Mills and Holmes all able to play there. Although this pacey winger would be handy if he can play on either side and up front. Papa please !

[Chez]

I think we're very much covered in the LM department. with Punch, Lallana, Dickson, Mills and Holmes all able to play there. Although this pacey winger would be handy if he can play on either side and up front. Papa please !

 

That certainly is a long list, but if Lallana is injured, are any of those good enough to help us win the league? Puncheon can't play right AND left midfield so you can't include him unless we sign a top class right sided player. Mills has shown he struggles in that position. Holmes is not good enugh in my opinion and Dickson is a full back not a left winger by all accounts.

[Toomer]

Can any of the new boys take a decent corner or free kick into the box?

[Saint_clark]

Butterfied at centre midfield? Just how many times did this lad play in that position and how good was he? My guess is not very often and not very well. Just a guess mind.

 

While I am at it, is Chamberlain actually a winger as AP played him down the middle when he came on against Carlise.

 

I doubt also that Dickson plays at left midfield (and would struggle as Mills did) so with Holmes as our only cover perhaps that is another position that needs attention. Holmes' fans will obviously disagree.

 

Butterfield started his career at CM, Chamberlain has played all across the midfield in the youth team but definitely has the pace for a winger (and not really the strength for a CM), and Mills looked fine at LM, don't remember his goal last summer?

[Saint_clark]

Can any of the new boys take a decent corner or free kick into the box?

 

Butterfield can i'd imagine. But Puncheons corners were fine last season.

[saint_stevo]

We are short of pace. FULL STOP.

[Saint_clark]

We are short of pace. FULL STOP.

 

Didn't you used to hate Antonio and say he brought nothing to the team?

[saint_stevo]

Didn't you used to hate Antonio and say he brought nothing to the team?

 

Yes. Still do. Would have been ok on a free, but not worth a 6 figure sum.

 

I liked that he had pace, i hated that he ran past his defender and then pumped a cross out for a- (delete as appropriate) throw-in/goal kick

[The Kraken]

Butterfield started his career at CM, Chamberlain has played all across the midfield in the youth team but definitely has the pace for a winger (and not really the strength for a CM), and Mills looked fine at LM, don't remember his goal last summer?

 

I'd disagree with Mills at LM, only from what I've seen of him there before, he tends to get a bit lost. I was quite impressed with his short stint at LB though, and maybe a year on he may have developed into a better winger, but I'd be very wary of considering him a proper option.

 

With Holmes, I guess we won't know until he's given a chance. I always liked Holmes when we were in the Championship, but whether he can regain and maintain that form and fitness is another matter altogether. I think he at least deserves to be given the chance though. It's cases like these where I think we would use the loan system if we needed to get someone in at short notice once the season is underway, I get the feeling that loans are much easier to achieve than pre-season as clubs have a much better idea of their needs, and sometimes having a player leave for a month or two does both clubs a favour.

[suewhistle]

Ox Chamberlain is very, very quick (yes as quick as Theo was at the same age) - I have spoken to a few people who know his potential and he may just prove to be a suprise package this season. Yes he is young but why would AP bring him through so quickly if he did not think he has that magic ingredient? An impact player who will probably play an increasingly important role for us this season.

 

Yep, so I'd heard and he was very quick at Thun and if I recall he played some neat 1/2s with Puncheon. At his age best not to overplay but he'll undoubtedly feature as sub: maybe not the build of Antonio, but he looked compact and strong.

[Saint_clark]

Yes. Still do. Would have been ok on a free, but not worth a 6 figure sum.

 

I liked that he had pace, i hated that he ran past his defender and then pumped a cross out for a- (delete as appropriate) throw-in/goal kick

 

Completely wrong, go back and watch some of the highlights from last season, he was outstanding in every area. The thing that stands out for me was the run and cross in the Pompey game for Lallana to head at goal at the start of the second half, only for James to pull off a world class save.

[saint_stevo]

Completely wrong, go back and watch some of the highlights from last season, he was outstanding in every area. The thing that stands out for me was the run and cross in the Pompey game for Lallana to head at goal at the start of the second half, only for James to pull off a world class save.

 

Um not completely wrong, because i went to games last season and saw him do exactly as i posted above.

 

MK Dons away, 1st leg of the JPT- AWFUL passing and crossing but scored a very good goal.

 

Norwich home- JPT. Looked like he had rubber boots on.

 

Wycombe away- Terrible. Just awful.

 

Off the top of my head.......