Rumour: James Harper (talks with Wolves confirmed)

[Royalee]

He's not one of the best players ever to have represented us and isn't even one of the best 16 players currently at the club, HTH. Davies, Tabb, Matejovsky and Karacan are all better than him and Gunnarsson's also better in the holding role, get rid of him and use the fee and wages (no doubt he'll be one of our top earners) to bring in someone we actually need, like a striker.

I'm not Harps' greatest fan, but he has to rate as one of our best ever players.

I can't see any Premier League sides making bids for Davies, Tabb, Matejovsky and Karacan right now, can you? Perhaps none of the Premier League managers/scouts know that they're all better than Harper.

All are younger and will have the chance to prove themselves, Harper is 28. I'm quite glad none of the Premiership scouts have been watching the others TBH, I'd much rather we got shot of one of our most overrated players having already ditched Hunt.

[Royalee]

Every player in that great Championship winning team is a legend at this club and rightly so. Harper was a key member of that team so have a bit of respect.

Funny how before and after Sidwell, Harper hasn't really done it for us.

[brendywendy]

Davies, Tabb, Matejovsky and Karacan are all better than him and Gunnarsson's also better in the holding role,

LOL at this rubbish

chuck siggurdson in aswell why dont ya

[wolsey]

Excellent!

So...a player, one of the best players ever to have represented RFC (Yes Royalee, we did exist before 1998) with a fantastic attitude is deemed worthy of a place in a Premier League Team Squad, is best got rid of at any cost.

You really are a clueless oxf*rd

He's not one of the best players ever to have represented us and isn't even one of the best 16 players currently at the club, HTH. Davies, Tabb, Matejovsky and Karacan are all better than him and Gunnarsson's also better in the holding role, get rid of him and use the fee and wages (no doubt he'll be one of our top earners) to bring in someone we actually need, like a striker.

I repeat:

You are a clueless oxf*rd.

Harper's main problem (like the majority of decent human beings - you won't have this problem btw) - is his desire to please other people.

Since Sidwell's departure he has consistantly taken one for the team by agreeing to do a role that he isn't really cut out for, and which in all honesty isn't his strength.

RFC will be poorer without him (especially if his replacement is a short/medium term loan player who won't have any ongoing value to RFC)

[Isaac Hunt]

He's not one of the best players ever to have represented us and isn't even one of the best 16 players currently at the club, HTH. Davies, Tabb, Matejovsky and Karacan are all better than him and Gunnarsson's also better in the holding role, get rid of him and use the fee and wages (no doubt he'll be one of our top earners) to bring in someone we actually need, like a striker.

I'm not Harps' greatest fan, but he has to rate as one of our best ever players.

I can't see any Premier League sides making bids for Davies, Tabb, Matejovsky and Karacan right now, can you? Perhaps none of the Premier League managers/scouts know that they're all better than Harper.

All are younger and will have the chance to prove themselves, Harper is 28. I'm quite glad none of the Premiership scouts have been watching the others TBH, I'd much rather we got shot of one of our most overrated players having already ditched Hunt.

Right! So Matejovsky wouldn't be on anyone's radar then? How many seasons has Tabb been playing league football? and nobody is aware that Karacan plays for Turkey's U21 side. There must be some shocking scouting systems out there then.

[Plymouth_Royal]

So...a player, one of the best players ever to have represented RFC (Yes Royalee, we did exist before 1998) with a fantastic attitude is deemed worthy of a place in a Premier League Team Squad, is best got rid of at any cost.

You really are a clueless oxf*rd

He's not one of the best players ever to have represented us and isn't even one of the best 16 players currently at the club, HTH. Davies, Tabb, Matejovsky and Karacan are all better than him and Gunnarsson's also better in the holding role, get rid of him and use the fee and wages (no doubt he'll be one of our top earners) to bring in someone we actually need, like a striker.

I repeat:

You are a clueless oxf*rd.

Harper's main problem (like the majority of decent human beings - you won't have this problem btw) - is his desire to please other people.

Since Sidwell's departure he has consistantly taken one for the team by agreeing to do a role that he isn't really cut out for, and which in all honesty isn't his strength.

RFC will be poorer without him (especially if his replacement is a short/medium term loan player who won't have any ongoing value to RFC)

He's not clueless, but i wouldnt say that the above mentioned are better than him. Harper has changed his game greatly for the team since sidwell's departure and has done it well. But, we have a new system under rodgers and harpers style of doing a few different roles for a centre midielder is no longer needed, as we now have the system where each player can play to his strengths.

Example, gunnarsson, cisse and tabb are natural DM's although tabb can get forward, which is perfect for the anchor in our midfield. We then have karacan who is an excellent box to box midfielder and would suit the role in front of the DM. Siggy and davies are more attacking minded but are very good at tackling and tracking back too. We then have marek and bozanic who are creative and attack minded central midfielders playing behind the striker(s) . That leaves harper, who has tried to do a lot of these roles every game he played under coppell's era.

In terms of his current role, I don't quite think he fits in. However, that doesn't make him a bad player and just means he may have to move on to play somewhere that he can fit in tactically. It's possibly why the club weren't putting up a fight when wolves bid for him.

[brendywendy]

agree with all of that


its the royalee rodgers rimming/rewriting history/coppell bashing/and every player who played under him
that is oxf*rd stoopid.

[Terminal Boardom]

Excellent!

So...a player, one of the best players ever to have represented RFC (Yes Royalee, we did exist before 1998) with a fantastic attitude is deemed worthy of a place in a Premier League Team Squad, is best got rid of at any cost.

Harps is not everyone's cup of tea. But just how many players has this club had over the years who has given everything in every game played? If Harps is to attract criticism then it is that he tries too hard. With Harps you know exactly what you are going to get. I doubt if there is a fitter, more determined or dedicated player on the club's books. However, that does not guarantee a starting place and never should.

If he goes then all the best of luck to him. If he stays then I think his enthusiasm and dedication will be invaluable for the pups.

[Ian Royal]

Example, gunnarsson, cisse and tabb are natural DM's although tabb can get forward, which is perfect for the anchor in our midfield. We then have karacan who is an excellent box to box midfielder and would suit the role in front of the DM. Siggy and davies are more attacking minded but are very good at tackling and tracking back too. We then have marek and bozanic who are creative and attack minded central midfielders playing behind the striker(s) . That leaves harper, who has tried to do a lot of these roles every game he played under coppell's era.

If Tabb is such a good DM and Karacan is such a box to box player, why was Karacan in the DM slot and Tabb in one of the more box to box roles?

[Terminal Boardom]

In two competitive games, we have seen two different formations and two different line ups. Let's see how everything pans out in the next 10 games or so. Hopefully, BR will select teams and formations in order for us to have the best chance of collecting points. After all, it doesn't look as if there are many Berti Big-Bolloxes left to strop about.

[Royalee]

He's not one of the best players ever to have represented us and isn't even one of the best 16 players currently at the club, HTH. Davies, Tabb, Matejovsky and Karacan are all better than him and Gunnarsson's also better in the holding role, get rid of him and use the fee and wages (no doubt he'll be one of our top earners) to bring in someone we actually need, like a striker.

I repeat:

You are a clueless oxf*rd.

Harper's main problem (like the majority of decent human beings - you won't have this problem btw) - is his desire to please other people.

Since Sidwell's departure he has consistantly taken one for the team by agreeing to do a role that he isn't really cut out for, and which in all honesty isn't his strength.

RFC will be poorer without him (especially if his replacement is a short/medium term loan player who won't have any ongoing value to RFC)

What isn't he cut out for then and what's his best role? We looked fine without him on Saturday and we don't need a replacement for him as we already have six central midfielders on our books! Harper's been rubbish for over 2 years now and we may as well free up his wages and get in a fee so we can bring in someone decent in another position.

[Royalee]

agree with all of that


its the royalee rodgers rimming/rewriting history/coppell bashing/and every player who played under him
that is oxf*rd stoopid.

LOL

Praising our new manager for sorting out Coppell's mess and slagging off Hunt for being ungrateful and Harper because he hasn't done it on the pitch for far too long? How is that slagging off EVERY player under Coppell? I have Doyle my best wishes and had nothing bad to say about Kitson, Sidwell, Shorey, Convey and so forth.

[Royalee]

Right! So Matejovsky wouldn't be on anyone's radar then? How many seasons has Tabb been playing league football? and nobody is aware that Karacan plays for Turkey's U21 side. There must be some shocking scouting systems out there then.

Matejovsky was in a relegated side after only being in England for 5 months and barely being used, then was injured for a lot of last season and didn't get a run in the team under Coppell, so no he won't have been scouted. Tabb's only just joined us and won't be sold so that'll put clubs off and again Karacan's not automatically started for us in the past so again he won't be being watched as much. Make sense?

[Deathy]

Right! So Matejovsky wouldn't be on anyone's radar then? How many seasons has Tabb been playing league football? and nobody is aware that Karacan plays for Turkey's U21 side. There must be some shocking scouting systems out there then.

Matejovsky was in a relegated side after only being in England for 5 months and barely being used, then was injured for a lot of last season and didn't get a run in the team under Coppell, so no he won't have been scouted. Tabb's only just joined us and won't be sold so that'll put clubs off and again Karacan's not automatically started for us in the past so again he won't be being watched as much. Make sense?

That doesn't mean Tabb is in Rodgers plans though.

[wolsey]

He's not one of the best players ever to have represented us and isn't even one of the best 16 players currently at the club, HTH. Davies, Tabb, Matejovsky and Karacan are all better than him and Gunnarsson's also better in the holding role, get rid of him and use the fee and wages (no doubt he'll be one of our top earners) to bring in someone we actually need, like a striker.

I repeat:

You are a clueless oxf*rd.

Harper's main problem (like the majority of decent human beings - you won't have this problem btw) - is his desire to please other people.

Since Sidwell's departure he has consistantly taken one for the team by agreeing to do a role that he isn't really cut out for, and which in all honesty isn't his strength.

RFC will be poorer without him (especially if his replacement is a short/medium term loan player who won't have any ongoing value to RFC)

What isn't he cut out for then and what's his best role? We looked fine without him on Saturday and we don't need a replacement for him as we already have six central midfielders on our books! Harper's been rubbish for over 2 years now and we may as well free up his wages and get in a fee so we can bring in someone decent in another position.

Glad that you were happy with a 0-0 against a team who went away with they wanted - one point. On another day it could have been (Yet)another unlucky 1-0 defeat

Have a look at the performances in 05/06 and 06/07. The midfield worked because the central pairing trusted each other implicitly. Both were equals yet neither had designated roles (remember the win at Citeh when Lita scored two goals from identical passes? - one from Sidwell, the other from Harper).

Perhaps Harper doesn't have a future in Rodgers' brave new world - if that proves to be the case then it will be RFC's loss

[Royalee]

Lucky to get away with a 0-0? In a game we dominated and had more chances in? Karacan, Tabb and Davies were our best players on the park as well aside from Pearce!

The midfield worked because we had Sidwell and the likes of Little and Convey down the flanks - Harper's frailties have been on show ever since and had been previously also. Granted, Harper can pass a football once every so often and is technically a reasonably gifted player, but he lacks the brains and defensive ability to fulfil that potential and is ultimately not as good as he could be as a result.

As for it being Reading's loss if he leaves, I'm more than happy with our alternatives thanks and so it appears is Rodgers.

[readingbedding]

Harper's been and seen and done it.

If I was him, I'd go and join a better team, he's probably after an assurance that he'll start more games than not.

Same with Bikey as well.

[Isaac Hunt]

Right! So Matejovsky wouldn't be on anyone's radar then? How many seasons has Tabb been playing league football? and nobody is aware that Karacan plays for Turkey's U21 side. There must be some shocking scouting systems out there then.

Matejovsky was in a relegated side after only being in England for 5 months and barely being used, then was injured for a lot of last season and didn't get a run in the team under Coppell, so no he won't have been scouted. Tabb's only just joined us and won't be sold so that'll put clubs off and again Karacan's not automatically started for us in the past so again he won't be being watched as much. Make sense?

Not really. You have a very naive take on it all I'm afraid. Matejovsky is a full international in a decent team - managers and scouts will be well aware of him. I hope that we do get to see something special from him this season, but i'm not holding my breath.

Tabb may have only been here a few months, but if you're good enough that means oxf*rd all.

The point of all of this is that Harper isn't quite as useless as you think he is. He obviously has some worth to Premier League clubs and I also believe he'd be more effective for us in this new system than he was in Coppell's.

Each to their own though.

[ZacNaloen]

Not really. You have a very naive take on it all I'm afraid. Matejovsky is a full international in a decent team - managers and scouts will be well aware of him. I hope that we do get to see something special from him this season, but i'm not holding my breath.

Your confusing aware with watching.

Since he's come to england he's been nothing but injury prone and ineffective. Whether that's the managers fault or his is another discussion. Either way no one is going to be interested in him until he has a run of decent games.

[Stranded]

Seems BR wants him to stay:

From Get Reading

Brendan Rodgers has told James Harper not to throw away everything at Reading for a move to Wolves if his heart isn’t in it.

Harper’s reported £2million transfer looked dead and buried last Friday, but Royals boss Rodgers admits that the midfielder’s switch to the Premier League new boys may be resurrected.

The former Arsenal trainee, who joined Reading for £400,000 more than eight years ago, is currently the club’s longest-serving player. And Rodgers knows how much the club means to Harper.

He said: “If somebody like Wolves comes in, it’s Premier League football. But actually the reality might be that the player wants to stay. That’s when it becomes difficult.

“James is a very good professional. He’s in here at 7.45am every single morning. He’s not crying to leave. But obviously if there is a Premier League opportunity, especially if it is in the latter part of a player’s career, then he will have to look at it.”

Rodgers knows how big a character 28-year-old Harper is in the dressing-room and on the pitch and would love him to stay.

However, with Harper out of contract at the end of next summer, Reading would be financially better off selling him now rather than letting him go for nothing in the summer.

But Rodgers added: “Players have got a real sense of belonging here and there’s a sense of excitement with what we’re hoping to achieve over the next two or three years.”

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy saw Harper star in Royals’ 5-1 win over Burton Albion in the first round of the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

Rodgers insisted that Harper’s move did not break down for medical reasons.

He said: “You saw from the game the other night that his movement was good so it certainly wasn’t fitness.”