You can't buy character; but you can apparently get it for free.

[GhostoftheBok]

I was talking to some mates of mine who are unfortunate enough to be Reading and QPR fans and the main complaint I heard from them was the lack of "character" in their sides at the moment.

"You can't buy it at our level. When people have real characters and leaders on the pitch, they hold onto them. If you want someone who will sort out the spine of your team it's at least a few million", was a fairly typical statement that got nods of agreement and muttering about "lightweights" and "shirkers."

The thing is, we just picked up Jason Lowe on a free and thus far he seems to be giving us exactly that. Not a skilful player and not the guy you want to pick out that 30 yard through ball, but he's added some real leadership and grit to our midfield and he's bringing the best out of Vela and Murphy - he's constantly talking to both, either nagging or praising them, and they seem to react well to it. He's been slated at Birmingham (even being booed by his own fans at one stage) and he took a lot of flak at Rovers too for a while, but he doesn't seem to have let it effect him one bit and he's looking like exactly what we needed.

Josh Magennis cost us 200k and is another who looks like the kind of "character" everyone wants. Hard working, never-say-die and seems to love the game.

We do lack a few things. Pace, creativity etc...but it seems like Parky has been picking up "character" by the yard. I'm glad we're getting some results, because lads like that can get real stick for not bringing enough flair to a game when results go against you - but with a few wins under our belts I think the fans could take a real shine to a few of these new guys. If we can keep plodding along and build a strong dressing room this year, then any quality we add in the summer is much more likely to succeed in improving us.

[The_Gun]

Some of these lads we've picked up this summer must have already become fairly valuable assets. In terms of resale value, Magennis would be £1m+, Lowe £1m+, Olkowski maybe £2m. Credit where it's due to our recruitment team.

[bristol_Wanderer3]

I think Magennis might be worth £5m+ if anyone came in for him, particularly in January. Strikers at Championship level don't generally go for £1m type fees. And if anyone offers that, we should turn it down. It would cost us £6m or so to be relegated, or perhaps more pertinently £180m not to be promoted

I agree with the OP that we have done excellently to get the characters we have got in the summer. It does mean we can take a couple of risks and add players who might be a bit flakey but have talent, as the general character in the changing room looks solid enough to ensure the right attitude will remain in the group.

[Armchair Wanderer]

Good to hear! Which players have there been recently who've had character? It seems like a while since they were a team of battlers.

[GhostoftheBok]

Good to hear! Which players have there been recently who've had character? It seems like a while since they were a team of battlers.

Wheater is a limited player, but he's got proper character. Lowe is a leader and Vela is showing this season that, in terms of work rate, he can lead by example. Olkowski and Magennis, whilst perhaps not leaders, look like born winners.

We'll learn a lot more when we go behind by a couple of goals in a game at some stage this season. It'll be interesting to see who steps up in that kind of game and drags the side forward.

[TANGODANCER]

We'll learn a lot more when we go behind by a couple of goals in a game at some stage this season. It'll be interesting to see who steps up in that kind of game and drags the side forward.

That's the acid test. Have to say that even when we were in the pits we did keep trying, it's a Bolton thing. Not sure how it applies regarding folk from Ireland, Poland, Holland, Turkey and all points north, south, east and west..No doubt we'll soon see..

[GhostoftheBok]

Ozzy's from Landan, innit.