Quality over quantity appears to be the motto for Tony Pulis, who is looking to add a pretty decent striker to his Stoke City squad. This guy could easily hit double figures for the Potters next season. [Read the rest of this entry »]

The last time Reading were in the Championship, they collected 106 points and stormed to the title. The Royals lost just two games on their way to automatic promotion and looked for all the world like a Premier League team. Sadly, after one brilliant season in the top flight, they are back in the division from whence they came, although fans will be delighted to see that Steve Coppell has decided to stick around as manager.

There had been speculation that the former Manchester City and Crystal Palace manager would step down at the end of the season, especially after falling through the relegation trapdoor. However, the Daily Mirror report that the scouser has decided to take a massive pay-cut and finish the job he has started at the Madejski Stadium.

He said: “The last thing I want to be remembered for at Reading is for a relegation. I wanted the chance to put it right. Now our motivation is to try to make next season memorable for all the right reasons.”

Are you betting on Reading to repeat their triumph of 2004/5, when they took the division by storm? It llargely depends on keeping hold of Dave Kitson, Kevin Doyle and James Harper but to name a few. You’d certainly expect the Berkshire club to be in and around the top six next term, although Sheffield United and Charlton proved last season that relegated clubs have no divine right to these placings.

Four seasons ago, Dave Kitson was playing for Cambridge United in League Two, yet he’s proven himself as Premier League class this term with eight goals scored to date. The Guardian now report that his Reading manager has backed the flame-haired striker for an England call-up, something that would surely constitute a shock, even taking into account the single-mindedness of new England manager Fabio Capello.

“Kits would give any team something that other combinations wouldn’t. He is good in the air, can use his left and right foot and has decent pace and knowledge of the game,” he said.

“He has got a spark – he is different. He is a target man yet he is subtle. The bigger men now have skills on the floor, it is not just about being a head on a stick. From a skill point of view he could play at any level, no problem.”

The striker does appear to have a flip side however. He was sent off within minutes of coming on as a substitute in the Royals opening day game at Old Trafford, has spoken out negatively regarding the FA Cup and recently received a driving ban. Will Kits really be given a chance to play at the highest level?

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