Howard to Saints

[ayjaydee]

[code][/code]

Just heard from a Saints supporter that rumours are flying about our Brian going on loan until the season end with a view to purchase.

Seems to be a reasonable piece of speculation.

[roadrunner]

It hasn't really worked out for him here, and if we get some money for him all the better.

[Big Foot]

PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE

[Row Z Royal]

Sold.

[tomrfcurz]

Unfortunately i think it's a done deal. Adkins said he's looking to dip into the loan market and has a CM on the cards. I think Brian is criticised too much at Reading, he's joint top goal assist getter alongside Jobi and he's played what, half the games. I guess Tabby is coming up to shine a bit now, for the first time really so McD sees this as an opportunity to let Brian go.

Does suggest we'll be buying Ledge if the view to a permanent deal is to be believed as then we'd have Ledge and i'd assume Karacan in the centre with Tabb on the bench for cover although i don't like the thought of one of those guys getting injured at the minute. I guess Brynjar will have to be staying then - not that i'm against that.

All in all i think Howard is a lot better than RFC fans or media give him credit for. Good luck to him in the future i say

[brendywendy]

agree with the last bit of that. hes a decent player. but also think maybe its just time for him to go and try elsewhere.

[TFF]

FTR I agree with what Ian Royal said about Howard on the Church/HRK thread. He offers something a bit different in terms of craft - but I'm not sure an RFC midfield with him in it is sturdy enough. Ledge plus one is proving a pretty useful formula this season.

Maybe they could use Church too.

[Barry the bird boggler]

A duck needs water

[roadrunner]

He's a half decent midfielder on his day, but he doesn't have enough of them. In L1 he'll be a good player for anyone.

[brendywendy]

A duck needs water

no more so than any other creature

[ayjaydee]

He's a half decent midfielder on his day, but he doesn't have enough of them. In L1 he'll be a good player for anyone.

I think Saints may be hoping he is a Championship player for them next season

[Basingstoke Royal]

This will be a big loss to our squad and I hope Brian isnt silly enough to let him go.

He is the only centre midefielder we have with any creativity.

[Ian Royal]

Only creative midfielder we have at the club. If we sell him we need to replace him and not with Ledge (who we should get anyway).

We can't rely on our only attacking threat being long balls and pace down the wings, it's too easy to cotton on to and stop us dead.

[roadrunner]

He's a half decent midfielder on his day, but he doesn't have enough of them. In L1 he'll be a good player for anyone.

I think Saints may be hoping he is a Championship player for them next season

I hope not.

[Kitson12]

As much as I think Howard can be crap, I don't think we should let him go out on loan. He's useful, freekicks, corners, and valuable cover.

[Wimb]

As much as I think Howard can be crap, I don't think we should let him go out on loan. He's useful, freekicks, corners, and valuable cover.

This and he's just generally not half as bad as people think what's the point letting him go on loan now when we need every possible option we've got to go for this play-off spot

[Hoop Blah]

It seems there is some pressure to trim a midfielder from the squad (the Gunarsson rumour is too much of a coincidence) and hopefully that's to free up budget to agree Legiertwoods transfer before the end of the season.

I think the news that Tabb is due tie up his contract is possibly linked too. If he wasn't sorted out within budget we might not've been so open to moving Howard on. That implies to me that McDermott doesn't want, or isn't allowed, to make wholesale changes to his squad later in the year.

If we don't start getting defenders back fit it leaves us a little short of depth, but nothing too serious...yet!

[Barry the bird boggler]

Jonny Fordham says....

Reading FC midfielder set to join Southampton FC
By Jonny Fordham
March 15, 2011

Brian Howard is on the verge of completing a loan move back to his boyhood club Southampton until the end of the season.

The out-of-favour Reading midfielder has been limited to just 22 appearances this season and fourth-placed Saints are desperate to add another midfielder to their squad as they push for promotion.

Winchester-born Howard never made a senior appearance for Southampton after graduating from their Academy and went on to sign for Swindon Town in 2003.

He has also had spells at Barnsley and Sheffield United.

Saints boss Nigel Adkins made an approach for the 28-year-old play-maker last week and Royals boss Brian McDermott has been understanding in allowing his fringe player to go out and get first-team football.

Now, it appears that it is down to Howard, Reading and Southampton to iron out further details on the terms and conditions of the deal before the deal is completed

[Wycombe Royal]

Saints fans have heard of a £700k 3 year deal in the summer if they are promoted.

£700k

[No Fixed Abode]

Just heard from my source at the club.