Time will tell if Reading had good or bad summer transfer window
George Earthy signed for Reading from West Ham
- Published
Time will tell whether this was a good or bad transfer window for Reading.
On paper, it looks like an upgrade in quality but a reduction in quantity.
Providing the club can sort out its dubious fitness and injury record of the past few seasons, this has been a shrewd approach.
Comparing the ins and outs is probably the fastest way to look for improvement or decline.
Jamie Reid for Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan at striker, Josh Knight for Derrick Williams in central defence, Kyreece Lisbie for Matt Ritchie on the right wing, George Earthy and Josh Stokes for Kamari Doyle at number 10, Udoka Godwin Malife for Ryan Nyambe at right-back, Conor Masterson and Jacob Brown in defence and attack for Michael Stickland and Mark O'Mahony.
By the end of October, fans will be able to say whether the options in each position available to manager Leam Richardson have been upgraded or reduced.
The irritation of undisclosed fees also makes it difficult for outsiders to evaluate business.
Without knowing for sure how much the club received for the sale of Ehibhatiomhan, what was paid for Reid or any of the other deals, it is almost impossible to describe it as a good or bad window.
What we do know is Reading were shopping with a limited budget and ought not to be considered as League One big spenders.
Reading fans know better than anyone the perils of spending big.
It is also difficult for Reading fans to know what they want. The sensible, pragmatic and cautious approach under Rob Couhig is in stark contrast to the crazy spending of Dai Yongge that landed the club in such a mess.
Fans nowadays are very careful what they wish for.
