How we stack up against the opposition in terms of signings

[Son of Len]

I'm still waiting for us to sign Kaka. And Buffon.

Now all we need is a CB and RW who can walk onto the team.

[cmonurz]

Birmingham have a pretty good defensive record out of the teams at the bottom, but have a problem with scoring goals. They are obviously seeking to address the problem.

Spot on, and the point Surgeon of Crowthorne missed. Birmingham have identified a weakness, and solved it, or at least, attempted to.

[The Surgeon of Crowthorne]

Birmingham have a pretty good defensive record out of the teams at the bottom, but have a problem with scoring goals. They are obviously seeking to address the problem.

Can't see how signing Samaras does anything in that department.

[Platypuss]

Birmingham have a pretty good defensive record out of the teams at the bottom, but have a problem with scoring goals. They are obviously seeking to address the problem.

Can't see how signing Samaras does anything in that department.

Samaras & McFadden >>>>>>>> DJ Campbell & Cameron Jerome

[Vision]

Birmingham have a pretty good defensive record out of the teams at the bottom, but have a problem with scoring goals. They are obviously seeking to address the problem.

Can't see how signing Samaras does anything in that department.

Samaras & McFadden >>>>>>>> DJ Campbell & Cameron Jerome

Honestly I'd take Jerome like a shot.

[The Surgeon of Crowthorne]

Cardboard cutout of Trevor Francis >>> Georgios Samaras

[papereyes]

I can't believe anyone here would seriously want us to sign Samaras.

I don't think he's inherently bad. I just think he's one of those players whose style will never fit into the Premiership.

I can see him scoring with the right team, but its not going to be Birmingham Pornstars FC.

[Hoop Blah]

Birmingham have a pretty good defensive record out of the teams at the bottom, but have a problem with scoring goals. They are obviously seeking to address the problem.

Can't see how signing Samaras does anything in that department.

Samaras & McFadden >>>>>>>> DJ Campbell & Cameron Jerome

Honestly I'd take Jerome like a shot.

I think Cameron Jerome could become a very good forward. I'd certainly take him if we had a chance.

[PieEater]

An interesting view of the signings process on the OS.
http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/pa ... 36,00.html

I'd be happier if they had less time to write things like this than actually working to sign someone though.

[Son of Len]

An interesting view of the signings process on the OS.
http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/pa ... 36,00.html

I'd be happier if they had less time to write things like this than actually working to sign someone though.

Writing these things up is what interns are for. The people who actually put the contracts together and ensure work papers, etc. are in order are having a pint right now.

[PieEater]

The author of the article claims to be the contracts person though.

[RoyalBlue]

Fulham now taking big steps towards sorting their problems up front and in defence!

New proven manager, good new signings. Do they still count as a weak team we can rely on finishing below us?!

[Southbank Old Boy]

An interesting view of the signings process on the OS.
http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/pa ... 36,00.html

I'd be happier if they had less time to write things like this than actually working to sign someone though.

Writing these things up is what interns are for. The people who actually put the contracts together and ensure work papers, etc. are in order are having a pint right now.

We don't have interns thank you very much!

[Son of Len]

An interesting view of the signings process on the OS.
http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/pa ... 36,00.html

I'd be happier if they had less time to write things like this than actually working to sign someone though.

Writing these things up is what interns are for. The people who actually put the contracts together and ensure work papers, etc. are in order are having a pint right now.

We don't have interns thank you very much!

Really? Hmmmm. Must be an American thing.

[RoyalBlue]

An interesting view of the signings process on the OS.
http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/pa ... 36,00.html

I'd be happier if they had less time to write things like this than actually working to sign someone though.

Writing these things up is what interns are for. The people who actually put the contracts together and ensure work papers, etc. are in order are having a pint right now.

We don't have interns thank you very much!

Maybe we should have a few people interned though!

[ankeny]

I think it's a bit stupid simply comparing the bottom sides in the thread. In doing this you miss the whole picture. Everyone in the premier league is having problems signing players. It's not just us. Who have Blackburn bought perchance? Villa?

Of course it's important to compare the bottom sides but the whole prem is rushing for players. As Coppell says it's a meat market. Isn't it best to shop quietly at the grocers until the dust settles?

But Aston Villa and Blackburn our not in our position you are just being selective.

[Royal Rother]

Birmingham have a pretty good defensive record out of the teams at the bottom, but have a problem with scoring goals. They are obviously seeking to address the problem.

Spot on, and the point Surgeon of Crowthorne missed. Birmingham have identified a weakness, and solved it, or at least, attempted to.

Just like Fulham are doing.

Why is it that we are not even trying?

So, this problem of ours that we are not trying to solve - would that be the problem in the centre of defence or the centre of midfield, or both perhaps?

In case my point flies right over or through your head, (perfectly likely given the intelligence you've shown on this thread) perhaps I ought to make it a little clearer; these are the 2 positions occupied by Cisse and Matejovski at the end of the game today... and pssst! they looked rather special against the Champions. Maybe that Coppell fella knows what he's doing after all wouldn't you say?

[PieEater]

I'm happy we played better than we have for quite some time, but the fact is that man u were coasting, they didn't have to go all out, ....

In his post match interview, Rooney said it was the hardest game he's played all season, so I doubt they were coasting.

[The whole year inn]

A tad worrying that after the best game we have played in a while, Coppell decides to openly admit in the press that his backroom staff picked the side and formation

[Royal Rother]

I think it's quite ridiculous that everyone is all excited after losing 0-2.
Sure, we did play better than we have for a while.

However, you have to consider who we were playing. It's easy to get motivated for United. All the teams raise their game for them.

Cissé did look more of a footballer than he has before, and had a good game.
Yet this still does not solve but one of our major problem-areas, there's still the lack of a right winger and a defensive midfielder.
Hunt tried his best, but when played out of position did not have as good a game as he might have on the left. Do you really think Doyle belongs out wide in midfield?!?
Matejovsky had a good ten minutes on the pitch, but do you realisticly think he will run about like that for 90 minutes?

I'm happy we played better than we have for quite some time, but the fact is that man u were coasting, they didn't have to go all out, and playing Hunt out of position is weakening us and hindering his performance, we should get someone in so that we can play Hunt where he is best.

If you feel like this match "solved all our problems", then I have to say you don't have a clue.

I feel sorry for you. This was a very good day for RFC despite the defeat. Really, it was.

Did someone actually say the match "solved all our problems"? Funny, I can't see it anywhere.

What I can see is much optimism based on 1. a superb performance from Cisse - a bit of a novice central defender (for us anyway) yet kept one of the best attacking club sides in the entire world at bay, without putting a single foot wrong that I could see, 2. a cameo from Matejovski that oozed class and gave strong indications of much better things to come, and 3. a much improved performance all over the pitch.

It may be easy to raise your game against Man Utd, everyone does it (as you say) but then many teams still come out of it with a damned good hiding, we didn't - we came out with great credit from all and sundry observers, not the least of whom was Rooney as already mentioned by Pie Eater. To suggest Man Utd were coasting is just stupidity. They were full out for 90 minutes.