James Harper

[YateleyRoyal]

Just been released by the Blades...I'm sure Big Mac never wanted rid of him. Could a return be on the cards?

[YateleyRoyal]

Agreed...didn't think he would cause trouble, maybe he was homesick for the south? or his wages were too high?

[TBM]

Agreed...didn't think he would cause trouble, maybe he was homesick for the south? or his wages were too high?

Probably his wages....think they were banking on getting to the Premiership and then keeping him

[Urinal Mint]

Agree it's likely a cost cutting exercise. Would love him back, especially if we did sell Karacan.

Tabby does a great job in the centre for a little lad though. Do we really miss Harper?

[Agent Balti]

Please, please NO. He's not what we should be looking for. Let's not us get misty eyed for what once was, all over again.

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

Know a season ticket holder at Sheff U and he says that Harper has been very poor and not surprised hes out on his ear.

Harper is the ultimate Marmite footballer - he wouldnt get into the Reading team currently, as BM is playing attacking style football, something that Harper isnt

[Ian Royal]

I love Harps, but I'm not seeing the point in bringing him to the club when wages are tight and we've got Gunnarsson, Karacan, Tabb, Howard, Sigurdsson, Davies, Cisse & Matejovsky. We already need to ofload a few there. Even if Cisse and Matejovsky go that's not much of a gap.

I guess, Tabb, Gunnarsson, Howard, Harper & Sigurdsson could cover most eventualities and be pretty flexible....



Harps was excellent in setting up quick break attacking opportunities and in ball retention. We played extremely quick attacking football under Coppell and Harps was an ever present. That must tell you something surely?

You don't need to be a pacey attacking midfielder who scores goals to play well and be important in a quick attacking team.

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

Ian - Harper always splits the camp - some think hes great and others think hes tosh - maybe me and you are an example of that

For me he reminds me of Ray Wilkins in his playing days - always passing square or backwards - rarely forward, and if the argument is that he was a defensive midfielder, then lets move onto his tackling ability...or lack of it

He served the club well, and in his early years he was decent midfielder, but as time went on, his performances deteriorated, and yes he left no doubt because of his wages, but even Sheff U have found out that nowadays hes not up to much

[PEARCEY]

Big fan of Harps but there is no way he will come back. We are already top heavy in central midfield as it is.

[Big Foot]

Still think he'll find his way to a top 10 Championship outfit before the start of the season

[Barry the bird boggler]

Outstanding player with Sidwell alongside. Struggles without a long standing partner attuned to each others games.

Think one of his ambitions was to play in abroad, wonder if there'll be any interest from there...

[Wimb]

I think he could have a role to play at the club but given wage constraints and the depth of midfielders we have here I don't think it should or would happen.

Can see him linking up with an ex Royal, Brizzle or Soton, maybe even Charlton if Parky hangs around.

Guess this means Howard has to move out of Harp's house though

[Uncle Andy]

Know a season ticket holder at Sheff U and he says that Harper has been very poor and not surprised hes out on his ear.

Harper is the ultimate Marmite footballer - he wouldnt get into the Reading team currently, as BM is playing attacking style football, something that Harper isnt

Absolutely, I remember sleeping my way through all those dull 1-0 wins we ground out when Harper was in the team and we won the league

[loyalroyal4life]

Just been released by the Blades...I'm sure Big Mac never wanted rid of him. Could a return be on the cards?

Says it all, he is passed it. Well done Royals for another bit of genius work moving him on. Maybe he just didnt settle in up north but we don't need him

We are looking to move on not back

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

Know a season ticket holder at Sheff U and he says that Harper has been very poor and not surprised hes out on his ear.

Harper is the ultimate Marmite footballer - he wouldnt get into the Reading team currently, as BM is playing attacking style football, something that Harper isnt

Absolutely, I remember sleeping my way through all those dull 1-0 wins we ground out when Harper was in the team and we won the league

So lets get him back then and lets enjoy another season of 1-0 wins and the title.......as if !

[Jackson Corner]

He went from being one of our best players in 07-08 to one of the worst in 08--09. Just one goal from midfield and looked off the pace if he played to half his potential we would have gone up in 09. Be interesting to see where he ends up next season.

[Ian Royal]

Ian - Harper always splits the camp - some think hes great and others think hes tosh - maybe me and you are an example of that

For me he reminds me of Ray Wilkins in his playing days - always passing square or backwards - rarely forward, and if the argument is that he was a defensive midfielder, then lets move onto his tackling ability...or lack of it

He served the club well, and in his early years he was decent midfielder, but as time went on, his performances deteriorated, and yes he left no doubt because of his wages, but even Sheff U have found out that nowadays hes not up to much

Harper isn't easily categorised. He would best be described (IMO of course) or a holding playmaker, rather than defensive or attacking. And he worked well with Sidwell because he was a goalscoring tackler. Neither had the complete attacking or defensive game, both hard parts of each.

And of course the style of game he plays is dependent on the quality of his team mates in their ability to find space for him to use them, and their ability to join him in defence and put the tackle in once he's put the breaks on the attack.

Best season for Reading was in a 3 man central midfield, with two players to do the box to box forward runs and tackling for him. Put a creative attacking midfielder infront of him and a tough tackling hardcase next to him and he'll work.

Backwards and sideways passes can be very attacking passes, if they are to people in room to make more attacking plays. Every midfield needs a donkey doing the hard grunt work.

Even so, I don't think he should be an option we're looking at, but I'd welcome him back if we were.

[Royalee]

No fanks.

[loyalroyal4life]

No fanks.

What he said

[Spud Gun]

No fanks.

What he said

Agreed. We've already got Bry, Tabb, Karacan & Sigurdsson who are better than Harper.

Add to that we've got Marek, Cisse & Howard who are all on a par with Harper (in terms of being largely ineffectual) then we really do not need him back ...