Simon Church

[Maguire]

They are a near-perfect match for goals-per-minute, but Shane has a more assists

What about half-assists

[Bandini]

Church is obviously better than Shane at virtual dribbles, but Shane was pretty vital at defending corners, so perhaps his half-clearances give him the edge.

[Snowball]

All my instincts told me Shane was a better player than Church
and would be a very good one, playing in the Premiership.

Job Done.

But Simon Church is, what, just 23? And strikers peak at 26-27
and he HAS shown a very decent goals-per-minute rate, and had
a good season scoring 13 goals at 1 every 180 minutes.

That suggests he could yet be at least a top-end Championship player.

I don't feel a lift in my heart when Simon comes on, but his stats say he's better than the HNA perception of him.


but then..



Why am I not surprised?

[Maguire]

Church is obviously better than Shane at virtual dribbles, but Shane was pretty vital at defending corners, so perhaps his half-clearances give him the edge.

[Basingstoke Royal]

He could be good if he wasnt slow, lazy and scared.

Long had all of the components (pace, strength, hard working and brave) - I just dont see them in Church and they cant be taught.

[Royal Rother]

Slow, lazy and scared?

FFS.

[Ian Royal]

I doubt very much that Church has complained about not getting enough pitch time. Notice no quotes and it's just SSN stirring the mix to see what happens.

Frankly if he did say that he can oxf*rd off despite his brace, because prior to West Ham and a couple of other games, when he forced his way back into the side, he hasn't been very effective, the reason he was getting subsituted was because we wanted a goal threat to come on.

He's playing for the second slot alongside ALF. And Hunt is slightly ahead IMO with it also being his turn to get a run of several games. If Hunt fires another blank against Leeds and Church comes on and does well again, then fair enough, start him.

The stat question earlier: Le Fondre has the most pitch time of the strikers, with Hunt next, although he's played some of his time out on the wing. So I reckon it that Church has actually had the second most pitch time as a striker. He's certainly started as many times as Hunt. Another reason why I believe the Sky article is just bollox plain and simple.

[Basingstoke Royal]

Slow, lazy and scared?

FFS.

Yes. Do you not agree?

[SouthDownsRoyal]

2 goals and hes a super star?

oh dear

le fondre is a joke too tho tbf

noel hunt needs goalz too

[Snowball]

2 goals and hes a super star?

No, TWENTY-two goals, and not a star, just a player with potential

5,134 Minutes - - 22 Goals and 06 Assists - - 233 Minutes per Goal - - 183 Minutes per Goal/Assist 2009-2012 Reading Career

[marcusopp]

2 goals and hes a super star?

No, TWENTY-two goals, and not a star, just a player with potential

5,134 Minutes - - 22 Goals and 06 Assists - - 233 Minutes per Goal - - 183 Minutes per Goal/Assist 2009-2012 Reading Career

You know what our problem is?
We're all making the silly mistake to trying to compare church to long. It's like we've been dumped by a fit, nympho girlfriend, and wondering why our next bird isn't quite as good.
Church will never be Long. He'll never win 30-70 challenges down the flanks, he'll never walk off the pitch having had the shit kicked out of his shins.
His movement for his second header was pretty good. Some of you guys keep going on about his movement, maybe that's what we should be looking at.
SchLong's gone. We've all got to deal with it.

[Basingstoke Royal]

Yes he is not Long, but he would be a better player if he did some of the simple things you expect like go into challenges 100%, run back quicker to get onside and jump for the ball rather than backing in and looking for the foul.

This won't solve the pace issue but at would make him a better player and less of a target for people like me.

[West Stand Man]

Yes. Do you not agree?

Clearly not, but then your statement is total rubbish so that isn't a surprise (that you haven't gained agreement).

[Extended-Phenotype]

He can't kick a football.

So for that reason, I'm out.

[andrew1957]

Looks like there are going to be loads of multi million pound bids for Simon in January.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?q=http://ww ... 8fpkBZUUuw

[Basingstoke Royal]

Yes. Do you not agree?

Clearly not, but then your statement is total rubbish so that isn't a surprise (that you haven't gained agreement).

Ok.

So you are saying her is quick, hard working and not scared to put a foot in?

I think its very accurate.

[Extended-Phenotype]

The Sky Sports article is lacking so obviously of source and support that you can't help think this is an email sent in by Church's f///ing agent.

The Premier League couldn't be less interested in Church if it sniffed poppers and dressed in leather trousers.

[loyalroyal4life]

The Sky Sports article is lacking so obviously of source and support that you can't help think this is an email sent in by Church's f///ing agent.

The Premier League couldn't be less interested in Church if it sniffed poppers and dressed in leather trousers.

Straight swap for simon cox will do nicely

[Ian Royal]

The Sky Sports article is lacking so obviously of source and support that you can't help think this is an email sent in by Church's f///ing agent.

The Premier League couldn't be less interested in Church if it sniffed poppers and dressed in leather trousers.

Straight swap for simon cox will do nicely

And about as likely to happen as a nun locked in a tower, on an unihabited island catching syphilis.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Yeah. About as likely as Church scoring a goal intentionally or that wasn't going in already.