Four big calls boss needs to make soon

HONESTLY, this is the time of year when a lot of hot air is wafting around – and not just because of soaring temperatures this week.

I mean, how else are we supposed to judge the reaction of Reading supporters to their signing of Newcastle discard Jeff Hendrick?

Even our own lauded leader Eddie Howe got in on the act when asked about Dwight Gayle, a centre-forward three Newcastle managers refused to give a single Premier League start to last season, just days before he was eventually set to leave.

First though to Hendrick who was immediately dispensable upon the arrival of Howe, spent the second half of last season out on loan and was relegated to training with the under-23s preseason.

The best of the wacky descriptions was ‘the Irish Zidane.’ I hear Zinedine is to consider suing under the Trade Descriptions Act!

Someone else called Olly Allen labelled him Kevin De Bruyne, another Royal preferred comparisons to Luka Modric – all three world-class.

Several insisted he is ‘different gravy.’ Oh, and a CK Scott took to social media to forecast Hendrick will become ‘a crowd pleaser,’ something he spectacularly failed to achieve at SJP.

What had Jaunty Jeff done to spark such adulation? Well, in his first week of Reading residency he scored against AFC Wimbledon at Plough Lane and against Maidenhead United in a behind- closed- doors friendly. Lest we forget, they were a League

Two side and non -

I would be surprised, however, if Eddie Howe is dithering rather than about to confirm his current thinking

league part-timers the last time I looked.

Never mind, Super Eddie entered the arena of verbal over-exuberance himself when describing Gayle as “brilliant for the team last year” and “one of the best finishers I have worked with.”

At face value that leaves United fans scratching their heads as to why such an elite finisher was never given a Premier League start under Howe when Callum Wilson was out injured for three long months and Chris Wood scored only once from open play - and how he was ‘brilliant’ when sitting on his backside. Deeds speak louder than words of course and Howe’s true thinking shone through clear as polished glass when Gayle was never once selected and told after the season finished he ought to prepare to move on. Gayle is second class, second division class that is. Hendrick equally is no more than that.

However, Howe likes to foster a good dressing-room atmosphere and so splices honesty with a liberal dose of respect. What he said was for Gayle’s consumption rather than that of supporters. Dignity intact which was deserved, Gayle can now move to Stoke City and revive his career.

What is irritating of course is that not one penny appears to be about to drop into the SJP coffers. The latest deal is said to be a free transfer. The club are literally having to give away old

Mike Ashley cast-offs just to clear the wage bill. I know what Howe was doing lauding the departing of course. I am not so certain what the craic is with Reading fans though.

Still, there is more patter than a fortnight’s rain at this stage of a close season and not just about the transfer targets of various clubs.

Cut through all that and Howe faces four major problems as the clock ticks down to the August 6 kick-off of a new season.

As things stand without additional signings arriving he has these decisions to make:

Is it Sven Botman and Dan Burn as centre-back partners or Fabian Schar and Botman? Who links with the boys from Brazil – Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton in midfield – Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Willock or Sean Longstaff? Does Elliot Anderson get his wish and go into United’s Premier League squad or get farmed out on loan? Should Ryan Fraser or Miggy Almiron play on the right wing?

There are pre-season friendlies to be played, opportunities to be taken and attitudes to be reinforced.

I would be surprised, however, if Howe is dithering rather than about to confirm his current thinking.