Bigger heights at Reading?

He's been at Forest quite a long time, and before the last 3-4 months of this season, had never really given us any reason to offer him a new contract.
I wish him luck, I really do. He comes across as a really really nice guy, but I honestly don't think he'll make the grade in the Prem .... prior to 2012 he couldn't make the grade in the Championship.
But saying that, it could all be down to how he is managed. He 'clicked' with Cotterill, who got the best out of him. Hopefully he'll have this chemistry with McDermott and do well.

it would be a gamble if they had payed money for him and i can guess that forest would have asked for £1.5million plus if he was still under contract. but from a reading point of view, a free transfer is a shot to nothing. if it doesn't work out, then fine at least they haven't lost a great amount of money

mixed feelings on this one

he was excellent for us in the second half of last season but in 4-5 years at the club, that is the only period of form we've seen from him.

he didn't do enough to warrant a £10k a week offer from us bearing our situation in mind and i doubt we'd have got value for that.

Bigger heights at Reading?
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Premier League club aren't we? While you lot are in the Championship

I think he is just a back-up player for us though. We only have him because we could get him for free and he has done well for you this season, he was really the only decent winger in the Championship we could afford and since Kebe has been injured a few times this season he will be better than HRK as a back-up so HRK could go elsewhere.

Only came to the fore when a good manager saw his potential and played him.

I'd give him the 7 shirt ahead of Jimmy Kebe, he'll get you ten goals plus some assists.

I wouldn't give him number 7 as Kebe is better than him tbf. Kebe will grab us a few goals and will get more assists and can cross better than him and he can take on players.

Kebe and McCleary are similar players, both tall, quick and like to take on players. I'd pick still pick Kebe when on absolute form, but this gives us the luxury of being able to change when one isn't firing.

Still more important positions to look at though imo, but either way it's a good signing, especially when we beat the likes of West Brom to get him.

Pretty useless for most of his Forest career, but in the last few months he suddenly became a different player and probably kept us up. No idea if he can continue to improve in the PL, but I don't think he's any better than what Reading already have.

Better than Tyson or Commons; not as good as Reidy

Lets hope he continues that last few months form into Reading's season and as you say not really better than what we already have there.

For what its worth i think he'll thrive in the Prem, big, strong, fast and bristling with confidence.

I reckon once given the chance he'll take it and keep his place in the team.

If you'd have told me in 2011 (or indeed earlier) that a side heading into the Premier League would sign McCleary, I'd have assumed you were high.

The most McCleary ever was pre-March 2012 was an impact sub, and I'm not entirely convinced he won't just go back to that. In fact, I'm not convinced he is better than Commons, either now or when he left us...

To be fair we should judge him in twelve months. But as far as I am aware he will play in the PL which Commons never did or will.

Yes he was an impact sub under Billy and the fact that he was never more than that says more about Billy than Garath.

If he was an impact sub for Forest under Billy Davies then that will work to our advantage if we ever need to bring Kebe off due to injuries.

I don't know if Garath McLeary is better than Commons but I would bet he has a much better team attitude.

Honestly think McCleary will crack the Prem.

He's got drive and determination, and that willingless to improve. Something the players at Swansea and Norwich have proved can get them through a season in the Prem.

The Prem is a lot weaker nowadays too. Defences are weaker, and they're leaking more goals.

McCleary's can beat a player, outjump a player, and outstrength a player. It's the perfect time to make that step up.

Also, anyone saying he won't be a regular. You're in the Premier League. Nobody will be a regular really. It'll require a lot of rotation, and the ability to keep players happy will determine how you end up doing.

Strange situation Forest are in isn't it?

Losing players who are out of contract, even saving his wages doesn't guarantee the signing of others or extending other contracts. Even selling him for £1.5m is meaningless cos it just goes to the state.

What's the latest with the sale? Any offers yet?

Iwas McCleary was 'only' on 4k a week, cant get much for that these days

only shame for me is that Tomasz Cywka is up to a large point moving over to make way for him. OK, Cywka only had a few sub appearances, but made some linky runs and seems to cut inside very well from either wing. So pleased for McCleary but sad for Cywka ...

sorry, typo - linky should read 'jinky'!