Stam and punts

[paddy20]

No-one can be critical of Stam for what he's done so far but I wonder if his penchant for punts is a little too much?

I am referring to some of the signings he has made so far;

Bond, Gravenberch,Popa,Weiser,Mendes, Meite- last season

And now, - Clement, Barrow, Bodvarsson, Manone and possibly Bacuna?

All have been pretty cheap options and at this stage none from last season have been successful. Are we repeating ourselves this year??

[Oilroyal]

Not sure it was under Stam’s watch, Bond was Clarke, Gravenberch I think McDermott signed and Weiser was always a punt and cant remember if Stam signed him or McDermott.

Clement, Barrow, Bodvarsson, Manone and possibly Bacuna all seem reasonable signings to me. But we really need to add 2 or 3 quality players now

[Nameless]

Popa was not a 'punt', the guy is an international with Champions League experience. When he's played he looks useful.
Apart from Clement none of this season's signings are 'punts' and Stam knows Clement well.

Just not sure there is a point here.

[Wycombe Royal]

Pretty much every signing is a "punt". You have an idea how they are going to fit in and perform but until they actually get here and play you just don't know. Look at our record signings from the past, nearly all failed but by your reckoning they were not punts.

[Platypuss]

LOL @ Barrow, Bodvar and Mannone being punts at the fees we paid.

[Snowflake Royal]

No-one can be critical of Stam for what he's done so far but I wonder if his penchant for punts is a little too much?

I am referring to some of the signings he has made so far;

Bond, Gravenberch,Popa,Weiser,Mendes, Meite- last season

And now, - Clement, Barrow, Bodvarsson, Manone and possibly Bacuna?

All have been pretty cheap options and at this stage none from last season have been successful. Are we repeating ourselves this year??

This is crazy.
Firstly, Gravenbeast wasn't his signing, he came in under McDermott and secondly, describing Barrow, Mannone, Bacuna and Bodvarsson as punts is bonkers. They're experienced players in this country and at this level or higher.

Cheap does not automatically equal a punt. A punt is someone who has no experience at this level, often a young player. Someone who you can't easily evaluate whether they are capable or who are bought for the future.

Anything beyond that and every single signing is a punt.

[Sutekh]

No-one can be critical of Stam for what he's done so far but I wonder if his penchant for punts is a little too much?

I am referring to some of the signings he has made so far;

Bond, Gravenberch,Popa,Weiser,Mendes, Meite- last season

And now, - Clement, Barrow, Bodvarsson, Manone and possibly Bacuna?

All have been pretty cheap options and at this stage none from last season have been successful. Are we repeating ourselves this year??

Mannone was £2 million wasn't he? Hardly cheap in the world of Reading FC.

Mendes was certainly a cheap punt and may well be a good one if he can ever stay free of injury.

Meite is a very bright prospect and came to Reading over a couple of PL clubs I believe. Would expect him to do well out on loan and hopefully be ready to compete for the first team here next season.

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

Of all the signings made by Stam/DoF...only Moore has been a real success..

[Oilroyal]

Of all the signings made by Stam/DoF...only Moore has been a real success..

Jón Dadi Bödvarsson.. it's only been one game FFS Modou Barrow, Pelle Clement... it's only been 2 games FFS

The irony

[CountryRoyal]

Of all the signings made by Stam/DoF...only Moore has been a real success..

Jón Dadi Bödvarsson.. it's only been one game FFS Modou Barrow, Pelle Clement... it's only been 2 games FFS

The irony

With regards to last season he means? Regardless though I'd still classify Swift and Beerens as a success.

[Oilroyal]

Joke aside, given what funds Stam had to work with last season and the moderate funds going into this season, Stam and the whole team/squad have been a success … 12 months on and hoping it continues

[CountryRoyal]

Joke aside, given what funds Stam had to work with last season and the moderate funds going into this season, Stam and the whole team/squad have been a success … 12 months on and hoping it continues

Of course. The only thing you could say is that Moore and Swift both came with fairly(ish) decent reputations at this level compared to our current signings.

That being said Grabban did as well and everyone wet themselves over Oxford. Jon Dadi impressed me in the QPR game but it was clear to see he's never going to be a goal scorer.

[LWJ]

Of all the signings made by Stam/DoF...only Moore has been a real success..

[alfie9]

Bond was signed by Clarke, Grav signed by McDermott (or Tevreden, Jaap wasn't at the club regardless, Weiser was free

None of our signings this season are "punts," they were all signed to play a specific role in the first team. Bod, Mannone, and Barrow all have Championship and PL experience, and Stam has worked with Clement before.

So that just leaves Popa, Mendes, and Meite. Popa was brought in for a small fee because our wingers are made of glass, and has played internationally and in the Champions League. Mendes and Meite are the only two I'd classify as "gambles," both signed for small fees and both are showing good potential. Weiser was of course a gamble that failed, but for a minimal investment.

Stam's recruitment has been excellent in my opinion, I'd much rather have the team we have now than our loanee infested side under Clarke, even if it means we take a few gambles here and there

[Snowflake Royal]

Of all the signings made by Stam/DoF...only Moore has been a real success..

Jón Dadi Bödvarsson.. it's only been one game FFS Modou Barrow, Pelle Clement... it's only been 2 games FFS

The irony

With regards to last season he means? Regardless though I'd still classify Swift and Beerens as a success.

Turning it around, which of Stam's signings have been poor? Wieser was a low risk long term punt, Harriott is an unfortunate case of a serious injury. Mendes was a low expectation punt, Meite has been a disappointment, but was a longer term investment and could easily still pay off. Rather early to tell with Ilori and Popa, and obviously Mannone, Clement and Jon Dadi. Out of the main signings last summer, I'd say that's a pretty good success rate.

[CountryRoyal]

Jón Dadi Bödvarsson.. it's only been one game FFS Modou Barrow, Pelle Clement... it's only been 2 games FFS

The irony

With regards to last season he means? Regardless though I'd still classify Swift and Beerens as a success.

Turning it around, which of Stam's signings have been poor? Wieser was a low risk long term punt, Harriott is an unfortunate case of a serious injury. Mendes was a low expectation punt, Meite has been a disappointment, but was a longer term investment and could easily still pay off. Rather early to tell with Ilori and Popa, and obviously Mannone, Clement and Jon Dadi. Out of the main signings last summer, I'd say that's a pretty good success rate.

As would I. Just because someone doesn't set the world alight doesn't make them poor signings, it just doesn't make them exceptional signings.

[maffff]

Of all the signings made by Stam/DoF...only Moore has been a real success..

Someone has high expectations eh? I'd agree with the above if we were signing these players to consolidate mid table in the Prem.

[West Stand Man]

Of all the signings made by Stam/DoF...only Moore has been a real success..

I guess that is why his squad took us to the play off final last season?

[paddy20]

I still think all of Stams signings this year are punts. Each signing has come off the back of less than impressive performances. I'm not saying thats wrong as they have all been relatively cheap and if just a couple come off its probably worth it.
If this is a policy however we can see from Saturday the lack of real investment on a striker will cost us dearly.

[maffff]

I still think all of Stams signings this year are punts. Each signing has come off the back of less than impressive performances. I'm not saying thats wrong as they have all been relatively cheap and if just a couple come off its probably worth it.
If this is a policy however we can see from Saturday the lack of real investment on a striker will cost us dearly.

All slightly higher level/proven in some way punts compared to previous years though, hence the fees touted.

If we were talking top end Championship players, we couldn't compete financially. Best we can do given the situation.