Leigertwood Joins Reading...Leigertwood Speaks

[Macmoish]

www.getbracknell.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2082653_reading_fc_snap_up_qpr_midfielder

Reading FC snap up QPR midfielder
By Jonny Fordham November 22, 2010


Reading have taken out of favour Queens Park Rangers midfielder Mikele Leigertwood on loan.

The 28-year-old will be at Madejski Stadium until January 25 and trained with his new team-mates this morning.
Boss Brian McDermott said: “We’re delighted to get Mikele in on loan.

“He is a player who has earned promotion to the Premier League before, via the play-offs with Crystal Palace, and who has worn the captain’s armband at QPR.

“Mikele brings a wealth of experience through the door and I am surprised QPR have allowed us to sign a player with such ability and experience.”

Leigertwood has captained QPR on previous occasions, but this season he has been forced out of the team by Argentinean creative midfielder Alejandro Faurlin.

The Antigua international will wear the squad number eight and is available for selection for Saturday’s home game against Leeds United (3pm kck-off).

Leigertwood, who has also played for Crystal Palace, Sheffield United and Wimbledon, has made just one start for the Superhoops this season and has had to settle with nine appearances from the bench.

Rangers manager Neil Warnock added: “I thought it was a good move for both parties.”


www.getbracknell.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2082653_reading_fc_snap_up_qpr_midfielder

[Zamoraaaah]

Good luck Mikele.

[Macmoish]

QPR Official Site

LEDGE LOANED TO ROYALS
Posted on: Mon 22 Nov 2010
R's midfielder Mikele Leigertwood has joined Reading on loan until January 25th 2011.

The 28 year-old, who has made just one start for Rangers this season, could be in line to make his Royals debut against Leeds United this weekend.

R's gaffer Neil Warnock told http://www.qpr.co.uk: "I thought it was a good move for both parties.

"Mikele wants to be playing football and I can't guarantee him that at the moment.

"Reading were one of a number of Clubs interested in taking him on loan and he was quite happy to make the move there."

www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2220750,00.html

[Jon Doeman]

An absolute shocker he had against Norwich, the last memory of him in hoops passing to yellow!
Wish him well though he served the club well.

[Markqpr]

Nov 22, 2010 12:15:32 GMT Jon Doeman said:

An absolute shocker he had against Norwich, the last memory of him in hoops passing to yellow!
Wish him well though he served the club well.

Echo that.

[Bushman]

Lucky Reading. His control & passing of the ball a sight to behold.

[superckat]

Rangers manager Neil Warnock added: “I thought it was a good move for both parties.” = F**K off and don't come back.

[bowles]

Im quite happy old legsofwood just didnt cut for me! I really cant understand why rangers extended his contract! I think this may pave the way for a loan player coming in.

[klr]

There was a good player in there somewhere, but he was "psychologically flawed" shall we say.

Last memory of him is blowing my top at the Noriwch game as he somehow contrived to not find Kyle Walker out on he wing, that was it for me!

Deserves a degree of respect, because he did often play well in our former inconsistent & unprofessional guise.

The new QPR however, he just hasnt got the mental tools to deal with things at this level, he's not lazy, but he just hasnt got it mentally in the way that someone like Shaun Derry has.

[Macmoish]

Last of the Gregory signings/First signing of the Briatore/Ecclestone Era who helped save the club from relegation

[harlowranger]

Wish him all the best , much rather he stayed a we sent a different person out on loan !
If we picked up a few injuries may still need him !

[eusebio13]

I'm a big Legs fan but even I have struggled to defend his recent play...at his best he is a very strong pacy defensive midfielder with a good bit of versatility... personally I hope he gets his confidence back and comes back

[harlowranger]

I would expect him to give 100% to Reading nothing less , he wasnt happy in the way he wasnt playing and quite happy yo try and make a name for himself at a new club , whether its temporary or permanent we will wait and see !Really hope he does well there!
Just wish one or two others would follow this attitude as they know they are not going to be in Neils plans!

[toboboly]

His best games were at RB. The odd wonder goal and immense game but I was also shocked that we extended his contract and he was a terrible captain. Overall he just was far too inept, I could pass better after a 14 hour drinking binge.

[harlowranger]

Bit harsh Tobo! 14 hour binge , you may be lucky to hit a barn door!

[toboboly]

At least I would have an excuse and not pocketing a fortune whilst I did so!!

[Macmoish]

Reading Official Site

Mikele ready for action
Posted on: Tue 23 Nov 2010

Mikele Leigertwood was delighted to be training with his new teammates at Hogwood Park - even though it meant swapping the Caribbean heat for a nippy Berkshire morning.

"I was away playing for Antigua in the Carribbean Cup - and it was a lot warmer there than it is here.

"So I'm certainly still adapting to the cold weather again - I heard there's some snow scheduled for later this week so that should be fun!"

Leigertwood, who signed on loan from QPR this week, is settling in well at his new club - and it has helped having a friendly face to greet him.

"I went to school with Jobi - so we played together in the same school team. And then we played together in the youth team and the senior team at Wimbledon...and we were at Palace together too!

"So this is the third or fourth time we've played alongside each other.

"But I know a few of the other players from playing against them and they've all been first class to me.

"I've settled in really well. The manager, the players and the staff have all been really welcoming and I'm just looking forward to getting out there, getting my boots on and preparing for Saturday's game."

"I wanted to come to a club who were looking to push on, and I saw Reading as a perfect opportunity to do that.

"I've come here to play. I've come here as a midfielder but there's the option that I can play at the back too. Obvioulsy I'd prefer to stay in one position, but if I'm needed to play anywhere else it's no problem.

"And I know there'll be competition for places - there always will be in a good squad like this. So I know I've got to perform.

"I like to get in the mix and get up and down. And I'll just try to offer a bit of experience as well.

"I've been in this league a little while now, so I know what it's all about. I just want to get in amongst it and ruffle a few feathers against the teams we play.

"We're not far off the play-offs so hopefully we can kick on and give it a real go."

On Saturday Antigua take on Jamaica, but Mikele will be gunning for his Royals debut against Leeds United in a hotly-anticipated Madejski Stadium fixture.

"Leeds are going to bring a lot of fans down and I know the supporters here are first class. They'll come out in their thousands and we know it's going to be a massive game.

"We've just got to make sure we keep calm and fight hard for the win. I'm looking forward to it."

www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~2228155,00.html

[Macmoish]

QPR midfielder open to permanent Reading FC switch

By Jonny Fordham
www.getbracknell.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2082786_qpr_midfielder_open_to_permanent_reading_fc_switch

November 24, 2010

Mikele Leigertwood revealed he joined Reading on loan after a few persuasive words from Jobi McAnuff.

And the midfielder remains open-minded about making a permanent switch from Queens Park Rangers.

Leigertwood will be with Royals at least until January 25 and boss Brian McDermott will fight to keep the Antigua international permanently if he proves to be a hit in Berkshire.

The 28-year-old has fallen out of favour at Loftus Road and turned down a move to Preston after hearing of Reading’s interest.

He said: “I have another year left on my QPR contract after this season and who knows what will happen.

“If I do well here then Reading might look to extend it, but both parties will have to look at it.

“We’ll just have to wait and see. Jobi has told me a lot about the place and everyone has been very welcoming. Me and him go way back.

“The managers, players and all the staff have been first class and even if Jobi wasn’t here I wouldn’t have had a problem settling in.”

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McAnuff and Leigertwood have known each other since the earliest days of their footballing careers.

They went to the same school in London and earned their first professional contracts at Wimbledon.

Royals rejected a £2.5million bid from QPR for McAnuff in the summer, but the Post understands that this loan deal is by no means a sweetener for any future attempted raids from Neil Warnock.

Leigertwood, who is set to make his Royals debut against Leeds United at Madejski Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off), said: “It’s a good squad and there will be competition for places.

“I don’t expect to come straight into the side. I know that I have to perform.

“I haven’t been given that opportunity this season and if I can come here and add something I will be happy.

“My plan now is to get into the Reading team and help them push into the play-offs.

“If QPR want me back then they own me and I don’t have a choice.
“But my aim right now is to play football and help Reading succeed.”

Another bonus is that Leigertwood, who has made a total of 303 first-team appearances including a spell at Sheffield United in the Premier League, can also play in defence.

He added: “The manager has brought me here as a midfielder, but if he wants me to play elsewhere then I will.”

www.getbracknell.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2082786_qpr_midfielder_open_to_permanent_reading_fc_switch