Reading FC - A New Era, A New Dynasty

[Muzzy]

Transfer Overview – Summer 2007

Since sparkling young manager Ben Musgrove took over the blue and white Royals back in July, Reading fans have been excited by the buzz around the club. With unknown faces easily spotted entering and exiting the training ground, as well as a variety of flights to various destinations, the fans have a right to be expectant.

And, to be honest, Reading have more than delivered. The squad, vying to stay in a league where every point is crucial, has been shaken up with the release of many youth products, as well as one or two known faces, and four international talents have been recruited from around the globe.

First new face at the Madejski Stadium, and hoping to make his first appearance in the clash with Newcastle United, is Besiktas and Argentinian midfielder Matias Delgado. Reknowned in both his home country and in Turkey fir his superb vision and ball control, the twenty four year old has already had the stage laid for him to impress simply by his arrival.

Next into the fray is Czech hitman Stanislav Sestak, rolling in froom Vfl Bochum for a fee of around £2,000,000. Described by Bochum manager Marcel Koller as having the pace of a cheetah chasing a butcher, the twenty four year old is expected to have to fight for his place amongst the already established Reading trio of Kevin Doyle, Leroy Lita and Dave Kitson.

Part three of the quartet arriving is Holland international and Ajax regular Maarten Stekelenburg. Another twenty four year old joining the club, the Dutchman is believed by Ben Musgrove to be the next step in goalkeeping for the side. With current #1 Marcus Hahnemann still established at the ripe old age of thirty four, Stekelenburg may have a much easier time of breaking the first team than his fellow new bloods.

The final entrée to the Madejski is twenty six year old midfielder Alessandro Budel, as Reading hijack a move for the Italian – despite Empoli having agreed terms with the player. Budel is known across Italy for his vicious crossing ability, and is hoping to push his fellow team-mates all the way for a place in the starting XI.

Leaving the club are, compared to previous jobs Mr Musgrove has taken, relatively few outgoings. Saying that, seven unidentified youth players have been released. On top of this, a few familiar faces are making their way out the door, to the displease of the fans. First to go is veteran right back Graeme Murty, making his way to Arsenal for £141,000. Arsene Wenger has decided bringing in a defender who’s been around the block could be beneficial to some of his young starlets.

Not only him, but Ulises De La Cruz, Glen Little and John Oster are all heading for other destinations – with De La Cruz on his way to Manchester City for around £80,000, Little being flown out to join his new teamates as Paris Saint-Germain, and Oster joining Blackburn Rovers for a little under £182,000.

Finally, Ben Musgrove has made his interest clear in two of Manchester Uniteds defending starlets – centre back Pique, who played a small role last season for the Red Devils, and youth product Danny Simpson. The latter has been bidded on for £245,000.

[Raynaldo-7]

Fantstic read and realistic signings considering since they now have a fantastic manager

[DannyB]

Great start. Loved the Copell removal story Not played a game but 5* to you

[Muzzy]

Originally Posted by Raynaldo-7

Fantstic read and realistic signings considering since they now have a fantastic manager

Thank you.

Originally Posted by DannyBRonaldo

Great start. Loved the Copell removal story Not played a game but 5* to you

Removing managers is my forte. Death by firework, love affair, you name it.

[DannyB]

Mine has been... urm... I think I've only done 1- Fergie retired at the start of my 'new' or now 'newest' United one Lazio: No story. Old United: No Story. Roma: No story. Bremen: No Story. Chelsea: No Story. Spain: No Story. Wow! I;'ve done alot of MM's on here!

[Muzzy]

TV Station Announced For Reading!

The new logo for the station, designed to appeal to the younger fans of the club.

In a move almost identical to that of Hamburger SV months ago, Reading have announced a TV station dedicated to the club a week before the season kicks off. The station will feature interviews avalible only to P&P customers, who can access the station by paying online or by phone.

"We did copy Hamburger" admits Reading chairman Joh Madejski, "We thought it was a fabulous method of getting out the message of the club, and what we're capable of as a unit to the masses. And one of the most common things people here in England do is watch TV."

The channel will first air the day before the premiership kicks off, and will reveal the thoughts of Ben Musgrove over the season opener with Newcastle United.

[Muzzy]

Toon "Test Of Strength" For Royals

Just twenty four hours ahead of his new sides clash with Newcastle United, new Royal Ben Musgrove has declared that his teams match will be a "test of strength and of character". With four new faces thrown in to the mix, and all rumored to be in the starting eleven, Musgrove was able to clear up his opinion of both clubs involved, as well as his starting eleven for what will be the majority of the season, after one or two adjustments.

"The team sheet is already in my mind, and it isn't changing after the first month or so of the season - after a change or two" said Musgrove. "I don't know this team inside out, so there's going to be things changed here and there, but it's the majority of the team that will stay the same"

"Newcastle are a solid outfit - just looking at them on papaer shows their danger. Martins and Owen, two speedy, clinical finishers, will have to be dealt with, which will be very hard. At the back they're strong - Cacapa and Rozenhal have a huge physical presence. We have to find way to avoid their strengths, and get at their weaknesses"

"I know we have the strength to defeat them - not only do the players we have know he opposition, but the four recently brought in will be able to strut their stuff given the chance."

After this, Musgrove handed us his team sheet, which looked something along the lines of this:

[Raynaldo-7]

Love the logo for it

[Muzzy]

Originally Posted by Raynaldo-7

Love the logo for it

I know, it's awesome! Bodman mad it. I use him for a lot, he's bloody good with graphics.

[Raynaldo-7]

as is MaverickZero

the first graphic on the first post is awesome.

[Galatasaray]

boooooo Delgado, go for Alex de Souza or Lincoln, both 10 times better. or Mehmet Topuz or Basturk

[Muzzy]

Originally Posted by Raynaldo-7

as is MaverickZero

the first graphic on the first post is awesome.

Originally Posted by Galatasaray

boooooo Delgado, go for Alex de Souza or Lincoln, both 10 times better. or Mehmet Topuz or Basturk

You and your Turkeys Gala. I don't have the prejudices you have, and having played the Newcastle game, I'd say he's pretty damn good.

[Galatasaray]

fine don't listen to me,

[Liverpooldude08]

Very realistic and I love the reports!

and muzzy can i have the tv ideas?

[Muzzy]

Originally Posted by Liverpooldude08

Very realistic and I love the reports!

and muzzy can i have the tv ideas?

Yeah, just make sure people know it was my idea (CHRIST I feel pompous for saying that. Seriously.). Just put my name in tiny writing, like I did for Maverick and his graphic on page 1.

[Liverpooldude08]

Okay I will.

[MaverickZero]

Great work Muzzy! I see my front page image is getting to great use! Keep it up mate! love it here.

[Liverpooldude08]

Originally Posted by MaverickZero

Great work Muzzy! I see my front page image is getting to great use! Keep it up mate! love it here.

Check in your request thread.

[MaverickZero]

Originally Posted by Liverpooldude08

Check in your request thread.

I'm trying to make AN OFFICIAL thread lol.

[Liverpooldude08]

where?

[FC Shorty]

Loving this thread, I love your signings there so realistic how do you think of them all?

[Muzzy]

Czech Brace Stuns Toon In Thrashing
Reading 4 - 1 Newcastle United


Matejovsky celebrates his first of two scorchers

Two absolute peaches from Marek Matejovsky helped Reading a long way to their 4-1 drubbing of northern club Newcastle United, as two from the Czech and two from Bochum recruit Stanislav Sestak gave Shay Given a nightmare start to the premiership season.

Despite the terrible scoreline for the away side, it was their probing that made them look the brighter side as the game kicked off. With only 180 seconds on the clock, Obefami Martins skimmed Maarten Stekelenburgs near post with a fizzing shot from the edge of the box. And Michael Owen wasn't to be outdone with a lofted effort flying just over the bar.

Despite this fiesty away start, the first effort for the home side brought the first goal - which was often the story for Hamburger SV last season. Stephen Hunt bowling down the left sent an early cross in for Stanislav Sestak. The 24 year olds touch deflected off Rozenhal, blinding Given to the ball and making the ball difficult for the big defender to deal with. Seizing the oppurtunity, Sestak struck. Given palmed by sheer reflex, but couldn't prevent the vicious strike from going in.

And Reading kept this pressure up - totally taking the wind out of Newcastles sails. Sestak was denied twice by Given, as well as Lita seeing a shot flash wide. Delgado started making the dangerous runs that saw him fare so well at Besiktas, and the entire Reading side looked that little bit more razor sharp.

And that sharpness paid off, as a stunner from Marek Matejovsky totally deflated what little resistance the Toon Army was showing. A wonderful sliding challenge on Nicky Butt let the Czech midfielder pick the ball up in midfield, and he broke forward. Newcastle kept backing off, and backing off, and Matejovsky just kept running. Thirty yards from goal, he took the suprising option of opening up - and what an option! Given had left his line so he could see the ball, and this proved his downfall. As the ball flew goalwarsd, the Irishman backpeddaled and leapt back, but couldn't touch the ball on its way into the back of the net. Queue crazy celebrations from both player and fans.

Even after this, Newcastle were constantly under pressure - it should have been three after a Delgado corner met the head of Budel only to slice wide, and Lita was wonderfully denied by a sliding Rozenhal.

But the second half killed off any other result than a win for the Royals just three minutes in. The Toon were robbed in the center by Sestak, and the Slovakian made a wonderful run through the Georides out to the right. Cutting the ball back into the box, the pinpoint cross met the forehead of matejovsky and deflected goalwards, trickling in off the post. game over.

That said, Newcastle had the bottle to continue at goal and actually stole one back - arguably the best of the day. Milner breaking down the right whipping a ball in, allowing Michael Owen to chest down beautifully past Sonko and fire as the ball hit the ground, beating Stekelenburg at full stretch at his near post - roofing the ball into the net.

Despite this, Newcastle didn't take the oppurtunity to press forward and get back in the game, and this let Reading stomp all over them. Sestak hit the post with a lovely strike, Matejovsky was denied a hat trick by Given and Delgado had his first shot of English football rattle the post.

Right at the end the game took a much healthier result for the home side - Sestak given too much time on the edge of the box, curling a shot from the D inside of Givens near post - and this gives Reading a massive confidence boost. if they continue to play like this, Europe will be no problem.

[Muzzy]

Originally Posted by MaverickZero

Great work Muzzy! I see my front page image is getting to great use! Keep it up mate! love it here.

Of course. Only the best in this thread!

Originally Posted by FC Shorty

Loving this thread, I love your signings there so realistic how do you think of them all?

Thanks dude! It's not that hards to make realistic signings, you've just got to have the bottle not to pick the best option avalible to you.

Originally Posted by Galatasaray

fine don't listen to me,

Don't cry Gala, I'll buy you some flowers.

[Raynaldo-7]

Great report as always keep it up.

[Muzzy]

Hahnemann Says Last Goodbyes

After agreeing a two year deal with Premiership side Sunderland yesterday, Marcus Hahnemann has paid an emotional goodbye to the reading fans who have constantly backed him since he joined the club on loan in 2001. Hahnemann has played 243 games for the Royals, but has lost his first team place and believes he should pursue first team football elsewhere.

"I'm really greatful for everything the club and supporters have done for me" said Hahnemann to press before leaving the Madejski for the last time as a Royal player. "I've given a lot to the club and the fans, and they've given it back tenfold. I hope they are as sad to see me go as I am to leave"

In other Reading transfer news, Manchester United have told the Royals to step up their bid for Danny Simpson or forget about him moving. The £245,000 bid was described as "pitiful" by the Red Devils, and a miniimum deal of £400,000 would be needed to prise the player away from Old Trafford.