EXCLUSIVE

Reading FC chief on ‘misunderstandings’ with former targets.

Reading owner Rob Couhig has warned players that if they mess them around, they will not want to work with them.

Noel Hunt spoke after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, admitting that they had missed out on some targets who demanded more money after agreeing on a price.

In an exclusive interview with The Reading Chronicle, the former Wycombe Wanderers manager did not hold back on his words, confirming that he and his

“I think they misunderstand us,” Couhig said. “I am pretty easygoing, as are Noel and Joe, but we all follow the same principle:

when you tell me a deal is done, it is done. When you come up here and look around to meet me or the other guys, do you suddenly want more money? “Don’t do that because we don’t want you right now,” and that’s exactly what happened.

It wasn’t a question of whether we could have paid more money, and there was one guy in particular. But under no circumstances would Noel propose it, Joe approach me, or I accept. We are people who believe that when you give a guy your word, you don’t even need a contract and it’s done.”

So far, the club has made two permanent signings, and while Couhig remains confident that the Royals will have a’very very good squad’ by the start of the season on August 2 at Lincoln City, he admits that successful recruitment takes time.

“It is supposed to go slowly. When it first opens, make sure you have your own guys tied down, and then, as we did with Paudie, set your sights on a guy you really want and pursue him.

Then everyone is negotiating with their own clubs and putting out their oars to see if they are interested, which takes time.

(

Image: Jason Dawson)

“I don’t think people understand that our recruitment is no longer limited to League One or League Two. We’ve done an excellent job with some loans, but we’re looking around the world.

That has its own set of complications, such as ensuring that the immigration and work permit people are both in good standing. We need to make sure that everyone we want can go through that process, and I believe we’re feeling good about it now.

“Even with the EFL, I’m not sure if there’s a hold-up, but there’s a tier of fans who want you to sign 12 players and wonder why you haven’t signed them by June 3.

When do the best players become available? Right away, right now and then right before the end of August. We will be poised at each of those times.

“We do operate on a budget, which I believe is among the top five, six, or seven. When I compare it to last year, we definitely are.

Last year, some teams, such as Birmingham and Wrexham, set an excessively high budget. I am not sure if you will have anyone at those levels this year.

But who knows what Luton will do? Cardiff and Huddersfield have decided to be the new Ipswich and buy their way up. Good for them if they can do it, but we’ve all seen clubs try and fail, and the owner refuses to do it again.”

The window closes on September 1, at which point a few matches will have been played.

Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com