Simon Church

Harpers So Solid Crew · by **Harpers So Solid Crew** » 10 Dec 2011 21:49

We have strikers who like the ball in the box, what we do not seem to have is enough balls into the box, shows as we have done well from free kicks etc since Harte has been back in the team, having watched the first half there was hardly any goal mouth action from RFC, i believe this has been similar all season.

looking back Derby away last season Long started scoring for fun with a brace, Church is now at a similar situation this season, two more next week please Churchy.

Ian Royal · by **Ian Royal** » 10 Dec 2011 21:58

Harpers So Solid Crew We have strikers who like the ball in the box, what we do not seem to have is enough balls into the box, shows as we have done well from free kicks etc since Harte has been back in the team, having watched the first half there was hardly any goal mouth action from RFC, i believe this has been similar all season.

looking back Derby away last season Long started scoring for fun with a brace, Church is now at a similar situation this season, two more next week please Churchy.

Our wingers aren't really players who hit the byeline and centre it. They tend to run at the box more.

rfc2001 · by **rfc2001** » 11 Dec 2011 11:57

I was proved wrong by churchy yesterday! Fair play to guy lets hope it continues!!

yappy · by **yappy** » 12 Dec 2011 19:04

Well apparently, just as soon as a few more people start to warm to him, Church may be heading out....

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11673/7372944/Chase-on-for-Church

Woodcote Royal · by **Woodcote Royal** » 12 Dec 2011 19:46

Pleased for him on Saturday but Le Fondre is streets ahead and should not be benched in order to appease someone who has, frankly, been dire for much of his time in a Reading shirt.

At least 2 of his goals this season have been little more than tap ins after others have done the hard work.

Sorry, Simon, but right now, anything over 500k bite their arm off.

ZacNaloen · by **ZacNaloen** » 12 Dec 2011 20:40

We had these same pronouncements about long even in January last year, its getting boring telling purple to be patient with young players

Snowball · by **Snowball** » 12 Dec 2011 21:00

The news has alerted a number of clubs to Church's possible availability with the talented striker having no shortage of admirers in the Premier League and Championship.

West Stand Man · by **West Stand Man** » 12 Dec 2011 21:05

Woodcote Royal Pleased for him on Saturday but Le Fondre is streets ahead and should not be benched in order to appease someone who has, frankly, been dire for much of his time in a Reading shirt.

At least 2 of his goals this season have been little more than tap ins after others have done the hard work.

Sorry, Simon, but right now, anything over 500k bite their arm off.

Prat. End of.

ZacNaloen · by **ZacNaloen** » 12 Dec 2011 21:05

Predictive text fail above

LoyalRoyalFan · by **LoyalRoyalFan** » 12 Dec 2011 21:12

Surely the role of strikers is to put the ball in the back of the net? If I'm not mistaken that's what he's been doing with those 'tap-ins'

West Stand Man · by **West Stand Man** » 12 Dec 2011 21:13

ZacNaloen Predictive text fail above

I just assumed purple was a Nobbers name!

royalsroyalsroyals92 · by **royalsroyalsroyals92** » 12 Dec 2011 23:38

I find it odd that he says he is frustrated for lack of starts... i thought he's been starting far too many personally. would like to see some stats to see how many minutes he's played in comparison with everyone else.
and a premiership club can have them... would be a laugh to watch

Woodcote Royal · by **Woodcote Royal** » 13 Dec 2011 00:18

ZacNaloen We had these same pronouncements about long even in January last year, its getting boring telling purple to be patient with young players

I agree but was responding to the fact he appears to want a move to guarantee first team football.............................patience is a two way street in this case.

Royal Rother · by **Royal Rother** » 13 Dec 2011 08:12

ZacNaloen We had these same pronouncements about long even in January last year, its getting boring telling purple to be patient with young players

Abso-frikkin-lutely.

(And anyway, Steve Claridge obviously rates him and that's good enough for me.)

royal67 · by **royal67** » 13 Dec 2011 08:35

West Stand Man
Woodcote Royal Pleased for him on Saturday but Le Fondre is streets ahead and should not be benched in order to appease someone who has, frankly, been dire for much of his time in a Reading shirt.

At least 2 of his goals this season have been little more than tap ins after others have done the hard work.

Sorry, Simon, but right now, anything over 500k bite their arm off.

Prat. End of.

You have to agree that Church has hardly been a prolific goal scorer during his time at the club. He doesn't seem to provide too much in the way of assists either (just my opinion and based on nothing other than what I have witnessed over the past years). If a decent offer was to come in for him (which it won't...) I could see SJM taking it to plug the next enivitable black hole.......

Snowball · by **Snowball** » 13 Dec 2011 09:35

royalsroyalsroyals92 I find it odd that he says he is frustrated for lack of starts... i thought he's been starting far too many personally. would like to see some stats to see how many minutes he's played in comparison with everyone else.
and a premiership club can have them... would be a laugh to watch

In Season 2009-10, age 20-21 he was clearly a player to watch, averaging a goal every 2 games, top striking.

Last season he clearly wasn't right (and was living in Shane's shadow) but this season, despite not looking
convincing, IS getting goals per minute at a good rate. Had he got his disallowed goal at Blackpool, he would
now be top-scorer and on a goal every 178 minutes.

I think, if he was braver, he might be very good indeed, but one thing for sure is he has 22 Championship-Level
goals at a rate of a goal every 233 minutes (just shy of 2.5 full games) and therefore clearly has the potential to
push on and become a more than useful striker, at least at this level.

Adding in his assists he either scores or gets an assist once every two games

1,069 Minutes - - 05 Goals 0 Assists - - 214 Minutes per Goal - - 214 Minutes per Goal/Assist 2011-2012

1,722 Minutes - - 04 Goals 3 Assists - - 427 Minutes per Goal - - 246 Minutes per Goal/Assist 2010-2011

2,343 Minutes - - 13 Goals 3 Assists - - 180 Minutes per Goal - - 146 Minutes per Goal/Assist 2009-2010

5,134 Minutes - - 22 Goals 6 Assists - - 233 Minutes per Goal - - 183 Minutes per Goal/Assist 2009-2012 Reading Career

For comparison, look at Church's career versus Alf-Noel this season.

Over his RFC career Church is matching Alf's minutes-per-goal

1,167 Minutes 10 Major Contributions 234 Minutes per Goal - - 117 Minutes per Goal/Assist (5 Goals 5 Assists) ALF (RFC Games)
1,106 Minutes 05 Major Contributions 368 Minutes per Goal - - 222 Minutes per Goal/Assist (3 Goals 2 Assists) HUNT

Ferris · by **Ferris** » 13 Dec 2011 09:38

royalsroyalsroyals92 I find it odd that he says he is frustrated for lack of starts...

He doesn't. No quote from Churchy, just 'is thought to be frustrated'. Nothing story.

melonhead · by **melonhead** » 13 Dec 2011 09:39

Royal Rother
ZacNaloen We had these same pronouncements about long even in January last year, its getting boring telling purple to be patient with young players

Abso-frikkin-lutely.

(And anyway, Steve Claridge obviously rates him and that's good enough for me.)

lol- where did all that made up claridge knowledge come from?!

what a tit

melonhead · by **melonhead** » 13 Dec 2011 09:42

heres hoping church can prove all the doubters wrong like long.
i have to admit i was starting to wonder if it was possible, but over optimistic faith in all things RFC has been restored- just the confience booster he needed

Snowball · by **Snowball** » 13 Dec 2011 10:00

Take at look at Church versus Shane Long's seasons up to his big one

5,134 Minutes - - 22 Goals and 06 Assists - - 233 Minutes per Goal - - 183 Minutes per Goal/Assist 2009-2012 Reading Career
6,481 Minutes - - 28 Goals and 14 Assists - - 231 Minutes per Goal - - 154 Minutes per Goal/Assist 2005-2011 Shane Long 2005-2010

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

Shane's great season last year, if added, distorts the stats somewhat. Nevertheless

207 Minutes per Goal Shane Career including his great season
231 Minutes per Goal Shane Career up to end of 2009-10 Season
233 Minutes per Goal Church to date

What that tells me is BEWARE if you think Church can't come good.

He's not as gutsy as Shane, not as fast, but most fans think his movement is better
and, until a year ago, most thought he had a better first touch

Shane Overall

10,984 Minutes 53 Goals and 35 Assists 207 Minutes per Goal 125 Minutes per Goal/Assist Shane Long RFC Career

Shane's Data

0264 03 00 2005
1004 04 01 2006
1040 03 03 2007
1967 09 06 2008
2206 09 04 2009
4413 25 20 2010
0090 00 01 2011

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