June 2, 2011
After the disappointment at Wembley I've decided to do an end of season review on each player, their performances over the season and how their future may look.
I've given each player a rank out of ten, the ranking includes not only their level of performance but how they've played against expectations etc.
All of the below is pure opinion, so please feel free to comment, either here or on our Twitter/Facebook sites.
Goalkeepers
Adam Federici
2011 Appearances/Goals - 39/0.
Our number 1 despite Alex McCarthy having a fantastic stint in-goal, Federici has bags of potential and although he does make mistakes, he is still very young still in goalkeeping terms. Our number one has a bright future ahead of him and had another fine season, also establishing himself as Australia's number 2 behind Mark Schwarzer. I hope he stays another season, but if a bid of £2-2.5m comes our way I say we should take it due to the fact that we have ready made replacements available, leaving any transfer fee to go on new players or other areas of the club.
Season Mark: 7/10
Alex McCarthy
2011 Appearances/Goals - (Brentford, 3/0) Total 15/0
I was very surprised in how well McCarthy performed this season. After an impressive spell at Yeovil last year in which he got called into several England u21 squads, he seemed to fade a little at the start of this season with an unimpressive stint at Brentford in August. When Federici's picked up an injury I was calling for Mikkel Andersen to get a chance but Brian McDermott stuck his faith in the bench warming McCarthy and after a shaky looking start he grew in confidence and now looks absolutely brilliant. McCarthy has been linked with Premiership moves after his form and deservedly so but I think we should hold out on selling this summer and keep developing him. If Federici does move then he will start as number 1 but have the pressure of Andersen behind him. Look out for him in the Summer as he's part of the England u21's squad for the European Championships.
Season Mark: 9/10
Mikkel Andersen
2011 Appearances/Goals - (Bristol Rovers, 19/0)
Very highly rated and continued to impress at Bristol Rovers for half of this season, he was unlucky not to be given a chance for Reading this year but hopefully will in the upcoming campaign. If he doesn't get a chance soon he may get frustrated and force a move but I hope we keep him next season. Andersen will also be at the u21 tournament representing the hosts Denmark.
Season Mark: 5/10
Ben Hamer
2011 Appearances/Goals - (Brentford, 10/0) (Exeter City, 18/0) 2/0.
Seems promising but is the eldest of the three young keepers. He hasn't overly impressed me and seems nervous when he's played for Reading in the cup. I would say cash in on him and use the money towards other areas of the team and 'debts'. He could get us between £500-800k plus add-ons and is interesting Millwall among other teams.
Season Mark: 4/10
Simon Locke
I don't know much about him but he impressed on loan at Blue Square South side Basingstoke this season and they were desperate to keep him. At 19 (or so) that is a very good level for a goalkeeper to shine. He needs a football league loan (he already has had with Dagenham and Gillingham as sub) so he can test himself at a greater level. Good prospect but to early to tell, he has been given another year to impress.
Season Mark: 5/10
Defenders
Andy Griffin
2011 Appearances/Goals - 38/0.
Very experienced and reads the game very well but seems to have a temper on him and likes to give the opposition a cheeky kick or two. Fairly consistent but in my view had a tragic play-off final. Next season I'd like to keep him onboard but use him either as back-up to Shaun Cummings or rotating at left-back from time to time, great to have in the squad but time to bring Cummings through.
Season Mark: 6/10
Shaun Cummings
2011 Appearances/Goals - 12/0
He was out of favour and looked like getting flogged off but due to injuries he got the chance we all dreaded. However after a great game at Leicester he has been a revelation and I believe he will be our right-back next season or if not then our left-back. He deserves his chance but still has a lot to learn.
Season Mark: 8/10
Ian Harte
2011 Appearances/Goals - (Carlisle United, 5/2) 47/11
He has been fairly good this year and is deadly from set-pieces but he is too slow and gets exposed far too much. Due to his goal scoring potential he needs to stay in the squad but I would rather us either give Marcus Williams a go or bring in a new defender. The dream is to get Ryan Bertrand on loan again but Chelsea seem to love him and he's Premiership class.
Season Mark: 7/10
Chris Armstrong
2011 Appearances/Goals - 7/0
Chris has now retired but he deserves a mention. He has featured when possible this season and performed very well considering his illness. It was great to see him after the final and he was a great defender. Good luck to Stretch in the future.
Season Mark: 6/10
Marcus Williams
2011 Appearances/Goals - 5/0
Great to get him arrive at the club on a free and he has potential, very pacey but can look out of sorts in defence. In time he could work out like Cummings, let us hope so anyway. It would be good to give him a go at left-back next season but if not we may as well cash in on him and bring a new full-back in. 200k sounds reasonable. (Strangely has no profile on the official site at the moment).
Season Mark: 3/10
Matt Mills
2011 Appearances/Goals - 45/6
Mills is captain for a reason and puts his body on the line every week. He has so much potential and could now be prized away by a Premier League side this Summer. He was a bright spark in our defence in the final against Swansea and generally gets his fair share of goals. The former Donny man really cares about the club and I just hope he gives us another season or more. If we were to sell I'd expect to get around £3m for him which would be adequate funds to get a replacement. Still, I hope he forms a centre-back partnership with Alex Pearce next season.
Season Mark: 8/10
Zurab Khizanishvili
2011 Appearances/Goals - 27/0.
Zurab is a very good footballer but a not so great defender and very slow. Personally I wouldn't pay a penny for him but he's on a free now and if he would take a nice pay cut I'd have him at Reading as third choice behind Pearce and Mills (Or Mills' replacement). Looks very unlikely to sign now, after discussions he seems set to move abroad.
Season Mark: 5/10
Alex Pearce
2011 Appearances/Goals - 24/1.
Injuries cost him his place in the team. He is better defensively than Zurab and has a bright future. Probably a future captain. He should be the main man with Mills next season.
Season Mark: 6/10
Ivar Ingimarsson
2011 Appearances/Goals - 14/0.
He has been a great servant and put a shift in when possible this season but sadly he is now too injury prone and slow for our standards. He's out of contract and I can't see him getting a new deal. Reading legend. (Ed note: Has now left the club.)
Season Mark: 5/10
Sean Morrison
2011 Appearances/Goals - (Swindon Town, 22/5).
Yet to play for the first-team but seems like he has potential and is very tall for his age. Sadly didn't get any minutes on loan at Huddersfield towards the end of the season. He will be used as back-up next season behind Mills and Pearce as he developes into the defender we think he could be.
Season Mark: 5/10
Jack Mills
Has been on loan in Holland with Telstar. I've heard good things and he may be used as a 4th/5th choice defender next year while also getting Football League experience. Just been given another year.
Season Mark: 5/10
Michael Hector
He is on loan in Ireland at the moment with Dundalk and seems to be doing quite well. Another one who could benefit from having Football League experience under his belt and has just been given another year.
Season Mark: 5/10
Midfielders
Jimmy Kebe
2011 Appearances/Goals - 42/9
On his day he can be absolutely fantastic, he has had a few niggles this year but has performed brilliantly at times, notably versus Leicester. It seems as if he will be off to either the Premier League or France and to be honest we may have struggled to fend off the French teams even if we had gained promotion. He should get us between £3-4m and that will go towards the squad and 'debts' (if there are any). I would love Kebe to have another season with us but will we risk losing him for free? Doubt it. We could buy another winger but HRK may be given his chance to shine and young Obita and Walcott may also get a chance in the squad on a regular basis.
Season Mark: 8/10
Jobi McAnuff
2011 Appearances/Goals - 47/5
Sometimes very quiet but other times exceptional, his feet are so quick and skillful. He has been linked with QPR on numerous occasions but I think we will fend off any interest especially with Kebe likely to leave. If he was to go then £800k-1.5m would seem fair and we would definitely need another winger with that money.
Season Mark: 7/10
Hal Robson-Kanu
2011 Appearances/Goals - 34/6.
Still very young and has bags of ability. With Kebe off he could get his chance and he seems more ready than he was last season. I think he deserves a chance and he managed to score a few this season.
Season Mark: 6/10
Michail Antonio
2011 Appearances/Goals - 24/1
He has talent but is very raw, while HRK got Academy training for years (including with Arsenal) Antonio didn't and it will take some time to catch up. If Kebe goes he should step up to be number 3 winger and get a few more opportunities.
Season Mark: 5/10
Jordan Obita
2011 Appearances/Goals - 1/0.
Pundits have said he is one of the next crop of bright English talent and we have him on our books. It would be interesting to see him get a chance as 4th choice winger next season if Kebe leaves but he may be too young at the moment, I think it also may be too early for him to go out on loan. Another year with the Academy may suit him best.
Season Mark: 6/10
Mikele Leigertwood
2011 Appearances/Goals - (Queens Park Rangers, 10/0) 29/2.
Just signed permanently from QPR after a more than impressive loan spell. He is the steel in our midfield and possibly the spine. A good player with versatility, and will hopefully be even better now he's signed.
Season Mark: 9/10
Jem Karacan
2011 Appearances/Goals - 48/3
This boy has had a brilliant season and with his energy levels could go a long way in the game and international with Turkey. He is likely to stay with us next season and continue his partnership with Ledge.
Season Mark: 9/10
Jay Tabb
2011 Appearances/Goals - 25/0
He signed a new deal a few months back and despite being tiny he really gets about the pitch, I'm a big fan and as a squad player I think he could come very good next season.
Season Mark: 7/10
Brian Howard
2011 Appearances/Goals - 28/0
He gets a lot of harsh stick but is the best passer we have and very creative, I just don't think he fits our system (especially without Siggy) and unless he's happy being a squad player then he will be sold £400-500k sounds about right.
Season Mark: 5/10
Brynjar Gunnarsson
I love this man and despite being old he still does the job when required, it will be hard to say this but it's time to let the 'Terminater' go. He wants first-team football and he deserves it at his age. Good luck to him but if he is given another deal then I wouldn't complain. Probably best to go to make room for the youngsters Jake Taylor and Lawson D'Ath. (Note- has now been offered a 1-year-deal). .
Season Mark: 7/10
Jake Taylor
2011 Appearances/Goals - 2/0
He seems to be liked by the management and after transforming from a striker to a central midfielder he now seems to be playing everywhere, even at right-back. It will be good to push him on next season and with Howard possibly off he will get more chances. Another new central midfielder may be signed as a squad player (Josh Wright).
Season Mark: 5/10
Lawson D'Ath
Looking very good and possibly the next Siggy. Next season he may get a few opportunities but expect him to be loaned out to get some game time.
Season Mark: 6/10
Jacob Walcott
Theo's cousin, so he must have something right? Been on loan with Jack Mills in Holland and scored a few goals. May get a chance next season in the squad with Kebe off but may also get Football League experience too. Signed for another year.
Season Mark: N/A
Forwards
Shane Long
2011 Appearances/Goals - 52/25
Long has been out of this world this season and he works so hard for it as well. He'll be off in the Summer, he loves the club but needs to move for his own ambitions. Between £4-5m is what we'll likely get and any more will be a bonus. Good luck Shane. The money will be used towards the 'debts' and in replacing the Irishman. Craig Mackail-Smith would be the perfect replacement but he seems destined for the Premier League.
Season Mark: 10/10
Noel Hunt
2011 Appearances/Goals - 40/10
Not the same after his injury hell but still gets goals at this level and should be a partner in a two-man attack next season. Simon Church and Manset will be breathing down his neck though.
Season Mark: 7/10
Simon Church
2011 Appearances/Goals -44/5
The Welshman will be looking for more opportunities with Long leaving and with more starts and a better service he could produce more goals. Keep the faith as he's still young.
Season Mark: 6/10
Mathieu Manset
2011 Appearances/Goals - (Hereford United, 26/13) 14/2
He has ability but it will take time before he becomes the player we want him to be. He still lacks a bit of fitness but I believe that will come over pre-season.
Season Mark: 6/10
Brett Williams
A knee injury has hampered his progress and I'm sure he would have had a small chance to shine if that wasn't the case. Another player who'll need time but he now has a full year to shine. May get some loan time next season to put his hard work into practice and he'll be relishing pre-season.
Season Mark: 5/10
Nicholas Bignall
2011 Appearances/Goals - 1/0
Has bags of pace but I am not convinced. He may be sold if he's not out of contract or at least loaned back out. 100k with add-ons. (Like Williams has no profile on the official site anymore) .
Season Mark: 4/10
Other Departures
Julian Kelly- had potential but was always injured. Shame. Should find a club in League Two or League One. (Notts County). (Lincoln City, 21/0) 1/0. 4/10
Scott Davies- Another player who showed promise but failed to take his chance. Gone to Crawley Town. (Bristol Rovers, 7/0) (Wycombe Wanderers, 9/1). 3/10
Danny Joyce - Was on loan at Bohemians in his native Ireland getting some valuable experience. Transformed from a midfielder when he joined the Academy and can play right-back and centre-back, has just been released. 5/10
Abdulai Bell-Baggie
Highly rated but has struggled on his loan spells. He still has the potential but needs to take first-team football chances when he can. Released. (Crawley Town, 1/0) (Port Vale 4/0). 4/10
Dave Mooney
Supposedly the best finisher around but a pretty awful footballer. He's out of contract and will be off. (Colchester United, 43/14) 2/10
Those that still may shine
Dean Santangelo, Angus McDonald, Carl McHugh, Nick Arnold, John Goddard, Charlie Losasso, Gozie Ugwu, Harry Harding, Ethan Gage, David Murphy, Cameron Edwards and Ryan Edwards.
Gylfi Sigurdsson and Grzegorz Rasiak also started the campaign as Royals. Gylfi 4/2 and Rasiak 2/1.