Is Adam Le Fondre good enough?

[Royalee]

In fear of being shot down. No, just don't like him, not quick enough; not strong enough and not the player for me. Impact sub - maybe but good enough (for Prem) no. If all people were being honest, then before he scored at Soton and Leeds there were only a few people calling for him to start.

Sorry but that's my opinion and I'd love to be proved wrong!

+1

Although I disagree about the pace part the rest is spot on. He started yesterday but he didn't take the opportunity and was, for me, more disappointing than Church given the clamour on here for him to start.

Still, Jamie Cureton scored goals a decade ago so Alf must be good.

Anyone will struggle to look good alongside Church, it's hard doing two men's work. ALF is the best striker we have.

[Shackleton Royal]

not quick enough;

That is the same ALF who can give most defenders a 5 - 10 yard start and still chase them down with ease wouldn't it?

not strong enough

We are talking about the same player who has out muscled defenders to get in front of them and score (I give you the final goal at Saints as an example).

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but yours is based on a rather quaint reading of the facts (ergo it is "not worth the paper it is written on").

The same player who 'out muscled' and 'chases down' with ease after only being on the pitch for 30 minutes (compared to the defenders 90!!).

I have been to the majority of games this season. He has never, when starting, shown the pace or physical presence to put the CB's under significant pressure. He has shown an eye for goal granted. But is he good enough and, I'm afraid, its a massive "NO!" from me.

Thanks to all those (Big Ern) defending my right to free speech!

Oh and Leon can Fcuk Off!

[Woodcote Royal]

As a starter, he doesn't look exactly amazing. Maybe suits being a sub.



17 Starts, scored in 6 of them = 1 Goal-Scoring Game in 2.83 Starts - Roberts

17 Starts, scored in 4 of them = 1 Goal-Scoring Game in 4.25 Starts - Church

33 Starts, scored in 7 of them = 1 Goal-Scoring Game in 4.71 Starts - Hunt

17 Starts, scored in 2 of them = 1 Goal-Scoring Game in 5.67 Starts - Le Fondre (scored one brace)

17 Starts, scored in 2 of them = 1 Goal-Scoring Game in 8.50 Starts - Le Fondre

Who was ALF's strike partner in those starts?

If, as was the case yesterday, it was the largely useless Church as opposed to the Prem quality Roberts...................

[Ian Royal]

Yeah, hard to judge ALF's starts until he's linked up with Hunt or Roberts for a few games. Him and Church just really doesn't seem to work.

[sandman]

.

As a starter, he doesn't look exactly amazing. Maybe suits being a sub.



17 Starts, scored in 6 of them = 1 Goal-Scoring Game in 2.83 Starts - Roberts

17 Starts, scored in 4 of them = 1 Goal-Scoring Game in 4.25 Starts - Church

33 Starts, scored in 7 of them = 1 Goal-Scoring Game in 4.71 Starts - Hunt

17 Starts, scored in 2 of them = 1 Goal-Scoring Game in 5.67 Starts - Le Fondre (scored one brace)

17 Starts, scored in 2 of them = 1 Goal-Scoring Game in 8.50 Starts - Le Fondre

Who was ALF's strike partner in those starts?

If, as was the case yesterday, it was the largely useless Church as opposed to the Prem quality Roberts...................

I'm sure Alf would've done better partnering Roberts. After all Jamie Cureton played well with Roberts against us 13 years ago.

[Hoop Blah]

Is he good enough for what?

Is he good enough to come on and nick us a goal with his finishing as he's done the last couple of months? Yeah, I think he probably will be. He doesn't just feed off mistakes or score 'fluke' goals, he attacks the right positions and is an excellent finisher when he gets a chance. I think that will bode him well for next season and he'll have a role to pla, especially as we'll be allowed 7 subs next season.

Will he be goog enough to command a starting place and lead the line? No, I doubt he will be. He showed some good touches when he first came into the side, and wasted as 'lazy' as I was expecting him to be. However, I do feel he didn't get into the game enough and we looked a bit toothless with him upfront (with either Hunt of Church at the time). That's not the role I'd have him in the squad for though so it doesn't really matter.

An interesting benchmark is Roberts. At Blackburn he was an OK Premier League forward. He didn't rip up any trees but he did a reasonable job at times. Drop him into our side in the Championship and he's had a massive impact and caused defences all sorts of problems. Bothroyd has been similar, albeit doing it the other way round. That's the difference in level at the cutting edge of the team. It doesn't mean that forwards can't step up of course (look at Holt, Graham, Long and Morison to a lesser extent for players who've done alright this season), but it is a step up and those that struggled in the Championship are unlikely to do better the next level up.

[melonhead]

An interesting benchmark is Roberts. At Blackburn he was an OK Premier League forward. He didn't rip up any trees but he did a reasonable job at times. Drop him into our side in the Championship and he's had a massive impact and caused defences all sorts of problems.

he was good. he made a difference, but i didnt see him causing defences all sorts of problems.
he could hold the ball up, which was all we needed to make the team work

[Ian Royal]

Is he good enough for what?

Is he good enough to come on and nick us a goal with his finishing as he's done the last couple of months? Yeah, I think he probably will be. He doesn't just feed off mistakes or score 'fluke' goals, he attacks the right positions and is an excellent finisher when he gets a chance. I think that will bode him well for next season and he'll have a role to pla, especially as we'll be allowed 7 subs next season.

Will he be goog enough to command a starting place and lead the line? No, I doubt he will be. He showed some good touches when he first came into the side, and wasted as 'lazy' as I was expecting him to be. However, I do feel he didn't get into the game enough and we looked a bit toothless with him upfront (with either Hunt of Church at the time). That's not the role I'd have him in the squad for though so it doesn't really matter.

An interesting benchmark is Roberts. At Blackburn he was an OK Premier League forward. He didn't rip up any trees but he did a reasonable job at times. Drop him into our side in the Championship and he's had a massive impact and caused defences all sorts of problems. Bothroyd has been similar, albeit doing it the other way round. That's the difference in level at the cutting edge of the team. It doesn't mean that forwards can't step up of course (look at Holt, Graham, Long and Morison to a lesser extent for players who've done alright this season), but it is a step up and those that struggled in the Championship are unlikely to do better the next level up.

You are aware that Le Fondre has started only two games with Hunt and got an assist in both of them right? One of which we won. Him and Church doesn't work, because Church works hard but produces very little quality and leaves ALF knocking around outside the edge of the box with no decent service.

[loyalroyal4life]

Is he good enough for what?

Is he good enough to come on and nick us a goal with his finishing as he's done the last couple of months? Yeah, I think he probably will be. He doesn't just feed off mistakes or score 'fluke' goals, he attacks the right positions and is an excellent finisher when he gets a chance. I think that will bode him well for next season and he'll have a role to pla, especially as we'll be allowed 7 subs next season.

Will he be goog enough to command a starting place and lead the line? No, I doubt he will be. He showed some good touches when he first came into the side, and wasted as 'lazy' as I was expecting him to be. However, I do feel he didn't get into the game enough and we looked a bit toothless with him upfront (with either Hunt of Church at the time). That's not the role I'd have him in the squad for though so it doesn't really matter.

An interesting benchmark is Roberts. At Blackburn he was an OK Premier League forward. He didn't rip up any trees but he did a reasonable job at times. Drop him into our side in the Championship and he's had a massive impact and caused defences all sorts of problems. Bothroyd has been similar, albeit doing it the other way round. That's the difference in level at the cutting edge of the team. It doesn't mean that forwards can't step up of course (look at Holt, Graham, Long and Morison to a lesser extent for players who've done alright this season), but it is a step up and those that struggled in the Championship are unlikely to do better the next level up.

Does anyone + church work at all?


You are aware that Le Fondre has started only two games with Hunt and got an assist in both of them right? One of which we won. Him and Church doesn't work, because Church works hard but produces very little quality and leaves ALF knocking around outside the edge of the box with no decent service.

[Hoop Blah]

Is he good enough for what?

Is he good enough to come on and nick us a goal with his finishing as he's done the last couple of months? Yeah, I think he probably will be. He doesn't just feed off mistakes or score 'fluke' goals, he attacks the right positions and is an excellent finisher when he gets a chance. I think that will bode him well for next season and he'll have a role to pla, especially as we'll be allowed 7 subs next season.

Will he be goog enough to command a starting place and lead the line? No, I doubt he will be. He showed some good touches when he first came into the side, and wasted as 'lazy' as I was expecting him to be. However, I do feel he didn't get into the game enough and we looked a bit toothless with him upfront (with either Hunt of Church at the time). That's not the role I'd have him in the squad for though so it doesn't really matter.

An interesting benchmark is Roberts. At Blackburn he was an OK Premier League forward. He didn't rip up any trees but he did a reasonable job at times. Drop him into our side in the Championship and he's had a massive impact and caused defences all sorts of problems. Bothroyd has been similar, albeit doing it the other way round. That's the difference in level at the cutting edge of the team. It doesn't mean that forwards can't step up of course (look at Holt, Graham, Long and Morison to a lesser extent for players who've done alright this season), but it is a step up and those that struggled in the Championship are unlikely to do better the next level up.

You are aware that Le Fondre has started only two games with Hunt and got an assist in both of them right? One of which we won. Him and Church doesn't work, because Church works hard but produces very little quality and leaves ALF knocking around outside the edge of the box with no decent service.

I'm talking about how well we played and how effective he looked. I didn't look to see how many games the combinations played together, I'm just going by how we didn't dominate defences at the time the 3 of them were used around each other.

[Ian Royal]

Yeah, and the point being ALF played two games starting with Hunt, there were three games between those two matches and so you can't judge how they worked together based on that. The only thing you can say is that for some reason Brian didn't fancy the partnership.

Spot on about Church and ALF together of course... but then the same could be said for Church and Hunt.

[Hoop Blah]

An interesting benchmark is Roberts. At Blackburn he was an OK Premier League forward. He didn't rip up any trees but he did a reasonable job at times. Drop him into our side in the Championship and he's had a massive impact and caused defences all sorts of problems.

he was good. he made a difference, but i didnt see him causing defences all sorts of problems.
he could hold the ball up, which was all we needed to make the team work

I think he made a massive difference to the way we played and the way he held the ball up did cause defences all sorts of problems. His bustling past defenders at that point was also a massive part of how we played (he wasn't quite as good at it as Long was at the end of last season though).

It does go back to the role we used him in of course, perhaps Blackburn didn't use him in the same way, but there's no doubt in my mind that his addition to the side was a massive contribution to our success over the last few months.

[Hoop Blah]

Yeah, and the point being ALF played two games starting with Hunt, there were three games between those two matches and so you can't judge how they worked together based on that. The only thing you can say is that for some reason Brian didn't fancy the partnership.

You're also isolating that point over and above the fact that the comment was about both combinations.

Admittedly we didn't see a hell of a lot of the Hunt/le Fondre partnership, but what I did see didn't impress me (or McDermott it would seem). For me that's where I form an opinion. It might change as and when they play together again, but having seen a fair bit of each player I'm fairly confident that my opinion won't change too much as I don't think they're destined to be that well suited.

It's more a comment about where le Fondre's place lies in the squad than who he plays alongside. I don't think he did quite enough for me when he's started, irrespective of who he played alongside (I don't remember him and Roberts starting together, but they may well have). I probably should've included Manset in the list of partners if I wasn't to be more complete.

BTW, which games did you have the Hunt/le Fondre pairing down as? They started against Cardiff at home, in the 2-1 defeat and the West Ham game, where all 3 goals came after Hunt was taken off. Was that the only two then?

[who are ya?]

LOL @ a thread like this after just winning the league, with the player in question scoring some big goals in recent weeks. Have a word

[Ian Royal]

Yeah, and the point being ALF played two games starting with Hunt, there were three games between those two matches and so you can't judge how they worked together based on that. The only thing you can say is that for some reason Brian didn't fancy the partnership.

You're also isolating that point over and above the fact that the comment was about both combinations.

Admittedly we didn't see a hell of a lot of the Hunt/le Fondre partnership, but what I did see didn't impress me (or McDermott it would seem). For me that's where I form an opinion. It might change as and when they play together again, but having seen a fair bit of each player I'm fairly confident that my opinion won't change too much as I don't think they're destined to be that well suited.

It's more a comment about where le Fondre's place lies in the squad than who he plays alongside. I don't think he did quite enough for me when he's started, irrespective of who he played alongside (I don't remember him and Roberts starting together, but they may well have). I probably should've included Manset in the list of partners if I wasn't to be more complete.

BTW, which games did you have the Hunt/le Fondre pairing down as? They started against Cardiff at home, in the 2-1 defeat and the West Ham game, where all 3 goals came after Hunt was taken off. Was that the only two then?

Yeah. Didn't check the timings of the goals. I like what I've seen of ALF... he definitely needs the right partner to get the best out of him and I don't think Hunt is ideal, though I'm confident they'd work a lot better than Church. I think ALF is unlucky Hunt got the nod to pair up with Roberts first and that worked so well. Otherwise I think we'd have seen him do very well with Roberts.

And no, ALF hasn't started with Roberts.

[Got the T-Shirt]

I'd just like to take this opportunity to welcome(back) all the new fans and old fans that are reappearing this month. I look forward to hearing your Football manager tactic suggestions once more.

Not sure what your problem is... what wrong with new or even old fans!!! I can never understand the mentality of "FANS" like you.... Brings in extra cash to the Mad Stad.... more money for wages/transfers and a even better atmosphere at games.... I have been a fan since the Elm park days (season ticket holder), been a follower of Hobnob for many years but have decided to now join the banter as I have moved away from area and wanted to still feel like I was in touch.... but that makes me a newbie so i should prob just Feck off....

I will welcome all fans old new to the Reading Family. The more fans the better!!!!

[Corky341]

He is easily good enough. We've missed a 'fox in the box' for a few seasons, and his goal at Southampton proves he's more than that. Saturday's game at St Andrews was very much 'after the Lord Mayor's show'. Sure, we'll need to keep JR fit, but given the choice between ALF and Churchy, I'd go ALF every game.

[peeping bernal]

YES! Move on

[3 veesinarow]

LOL @ a thread like this after just winning the league, with the player in question scoring some big goals in recent weeks. Have a word

In the spirit of happy co-existence, I concur with this sentiment.

[Hoop Blah]

He is easily good enough. We've missed a 'fox in the box' for a few seasons, and his goal at Southampton proves he's more than that. Saturday's game at St Andrews was very much 'after the Lord Mayor's show'. Sure, we'll need to keep JR fit, but given the choice between ALF and Churchy, I'd go ALF every game.

You don't think we've got a chance of strengthening the squad.

For the record, I'm saying le Fondre does have a part to play next season. I just think that part will be much the same as it has been for the last 3 or 4 months. Coming off the bench to nick us an important goal or two in the latter stages of games. That's important for us to have up our sleeve, I just don't think he's quite got what it takes to hold down a starting place.

How many genuine 'poachers' are there starting week-in, week-out in the Premier League these days? The old 'fox in the box' is a bit of a luxury that teams don't really carry for 90 minutes these days.