James Harper

[brendywendy]

steve sidwell, excellent at running, tackling and missing from long range, only comes alive as a player when playing alongside james harper.

What's Sidwell doing in the Premiership and Harper at a Championship relegation battling side then?

so sidwells been playing well since he left?
he was the more dynamic than the two, and the better player, no doubt. but its pretty clear, apart from to the most blinkered of harper haters, such as yourself, that they were a perfect pairing in the middle of our team in 05/06-06-07, they made the midfield together.
as soon as you takle one away, neither works to the same extent.

[chilipepper91]

confirmed on beeb that they're looking at harps
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 790490.stm

[Isaac Hunt]

Interestingly in todays paper, Nigel Pearson is quoted as seeing Harper as "a natural replacement for Jimmy Bullard"

Dressing room joker?

[Ian Royal]

Selective memory there. I always explain my opinion. It's usually considered. You don't agree with it, that's fine. I don't really care.

So maybe Khiz won't pick up a lot of cards... what does it matter? You think he's the best things since sliced bread, I think that he's about the same as we've already got, but would improve the squad.

You think Harper is shit and always have been. Plenty of evidence to the contrary. I say he'll do well in the right set up. I can live with being wrong, and I'll hold my hands up if someone convinces me I am. As I have done plenty of times.

With due respect Ian, and we have crossed swords a few times on this subject...

The only team Harper would do well is one in a league below what he's in currently - we let him go on the "front" it was to do with wages ...we let him go because he couldnt take us forward, and he'd probably have a paddy sitting on the bench, so didnt need discontent in the changing room..He went to Sheff U and after a few games they saw what we had seen and now hes gone on a free ..in other words, they dont value him...

Lets see what Pearson thinks of him after a few games in the new season, but cant help thinking it will be deja vu ...once more

You're opinion, mine differs that's all. You can no more prove you are right than I can. The only difference is you talk like you know exactly what happened with no good reason and speak in certainties writing off a player who has previously showed himself to be good enough for the Premier League.

Whereas I say that with the right team and right circumstances Harper is still good enough for this level.

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

Well lets see Ian - he failed at Sheff U and now he's going to Hull who were premier league last season, so would expect the players around to bring out the best in him..if he has any best that is

[brendywendy]

yeah hes not perfect, yeahs hes nose dived a little since 08, but people suggesting it was all down to sidders are deluded.
as are people suggesting that he was never a decent player.

oxf*rd LOlworthy

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

yeah hes not perfect, yeahs hes nose dived a little since 08, but people suggesting it was all down to sidders are deluded.
as are people suggesting that he was never a decent player.

oxf*rd LOlworthy

He's nosedived a lot since 08 if we are going to be generous with the date..

[Ian Royal]

Well lets see Ian - he failed at Sheff U and now he's going to Hull who were premier league last season, so would expect the players around to bring out the best in him..if he has any best that is

The fact they were in the premier league has nothing to do with whether he'll fit in with them. It's whether their type of game fits with his. He'll need to play alongside an athletic box to box player who can tackle, at least.

[brendywendy]

steve sidwell, excellent at running, tackling and missing from long range, only comes alive as a player when playing alongside james harper.

What's Sidwell doing in the Premiership and Harper at a Championship relegation battling side then?

LOL

[brendywendy]

yeah hes not perfect, yeahs hes nose dived a little since 08, but people suggesting it was all down to sidders are deluded.
as are people suggesting that he was never a decent player.

oxf*rd LOlworthy

He's nosedived a lot since 08 if we are going to be generous with the date..

i think youll find that depends on your exact definition and measure of nosedive

[paultheroyal]

Good move going to Hull. Look forward to that game

[Ian Royal]

Good luck Harps. I hope you have a great season despite Hull hopefully being miserable in midtable.

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

Good luck Harps. I hope you have a great season despite Hull hopefully being miserable in midtable.

....and Harper being miserable in midfield

[brendywendy]

good luck harps, youll be getting a round of applause from me when you return

[CMRoyal]

Good luck Harps. I hope you have a great season despite Hull hopefully being miserable in midtable.

+1

Absolute RFC legend in the greatest CM partnership we ever had. I think his salary and reputation ended up exceeding his desire, but hopefully he's bouncing back. Just not against us, please.

[Terminal Boardom]

good luck harps, youll be getting a round of applause from me when you return

I might even turn up for this one - to pay due respects to a Reading legend.

[brendywendy]

woah , steady on!

[Tinrib]

Looks like Harps is going to be out for a while...broken metatarsel..

[Sun Tzu]

Looks like Harps is going to be out for a while...broken metatarsel..

Indeed, if Ian Bell is anything to go by Harps will miss all the remaining tests but be fit again for the Ashes.

I wish him well.

[glass half full]

Glad a player I hate is going to help a team I hate get relegated again this season.

'Hate' is such a harsh four-letter word....