Published: Thursday, 22nd May, 2008 09:00
Howe slams `wantaway' stars
By Anthony Smith
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Looking around: Royals left-back Nicky Shorey is certain to leave the club this summer.
READING’S wantaway stars have come under a fierce attack for believing they are bigger than the club.
Royals’ chief-executive Nigel Howe has accused some first-team players of lacking effort during the failed relegation battle.
And he believes it all started last summer when they were linked with rival Premier League clubs after Reading’s sensational debut season in the top-flight.
“I don’t think it was right,” fumed Howe. “A couple of players thought they were bigger than Reading Football Club. Because of that they had made up their minds to leave.
“Inevitably, it affected their performances. That was just unfortunate for us and it didn’t do them any good themselves.
“Other clubs who had started to look at them suddenly realised that perhaps they aren’t as good as they think they are.
“In a way, players should focus on what they are doing and not worry where their next job is going to be. It was a mistake.”
The likes of Nicky Shorey and Leroy Lita may fall into that category. Both refused to sign new contracts a year ago and Shorey is certain to leave with Newcastle and West Ham prepared to pay £4 million.
Lita’s future also probably lies elsewhere after a fall-out with manager Steve Coppell and a dip in form saw him loaned to Charlton.
Coppell has ben told he must sell players to raise funds to strengthen his squad over the summer.
Reading will fight to keep hold of their prised assets like Kevin Doyle, Dave Kitson, Stephen Hunt, Shane Long and James Harper, though Howe admits it is inevitable some will leave for the right price.
Sunderland had a £5 million bid for Hunt rejected in January and are certain to come back with a similar offer. Black Cats boss Roy Keane is also prepared to pay the same for ex-Cork City striker Doyle.
Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill also likes Doyle, while Emerse Fae is on his way out.
“Clubs are bound to come in for our players,” stated Howe. “In the main we are going to resist disrupting the squad but there are already players who said they wanted to go over the season.
“As long as we get the right offers for them, I dare say they will go. That will release the sort of funds we need to give Steve to move forward.”
Coppell immediately launched a clear-out by releasing six players and retaining four. Glen Little, Michael Duberry, Ben Hamer and Scott Davies have been offered 12 month deals.
But John Oster, Ulises De La Cruz, John Halls, Graham Stack, Adam Bygrave and Aaron Brown are all leaving, and Coppell already has his eye on a number of potential new signings.
However, Royals director of football, Nick Hammond, insisted: “The squad doesn’t need a massive amount of work. There will be changes, of course, as there always is with relegation.
“There will be comings and goings but it is important we keep the core group of players we feel can take us forward. That in itself might be a problem because there will be interest in them from Premier League clubs.
“But because of the way we are run there is no pressure to sell. If a player does leave in the summer it will be because it is the best deal for Reading.
“By the same token we hope to get some players in because it does need freshening up. Steve’s loyalty to the group has been criticised and it’s a lesson we have to learn. But we don’t need a massive overhaul.”
While Coppell had funds to spend, his biggest problem was persuading players to sign for Reading.
But Hammond said: “For a top-end Championship player, Reading is a fantastic opportunity. The same goes for a young player who sees us as the next step in his career and the chance to get promoted and play in the Premier League.
“After two years in the Premier League our market is still reasonably small but we’re much better positioned in that market.
“We will also look at the loan system and the respect we have as a club will afford us good opportunities there.”
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