Simon Church

[muddyfeet]

Really thought Church would step up this season, he had a very promising first season and an ok goal tally and looked to have the best pre season out of all our strikers. However at the moment he looks poor, yes he has scored some imp goals as a sub but his overall performances have been below par. What's happened?

[Royal Lady]

Gylffi left.

[tomrfcurz]

Gylffi left.

Don't remind me.

[Royal Rother]

Yet the team as a whole seems to have improved since Gylfi left.

[Royal Lady]

Yet the team as a whole seems to have improved since Gylfi left.

Church and Gylffi were very good friends. THAT was my point. I didn't mention the rest of the team.

[Handsome Man]

He must have thought he would get more starts, but foind himeslef out of the time when we were playing just one striker and behind Hunt in the pecking order when we started playing two. In truth he hasn't had many opportunities to shine this year.

[Royalee]

Yet the team as a whole seems to have improved since Gylfi left.

How? Our form in the second half of last season was far superior to what it's been this season.

[bcroyal]

Didn't look interested yesterday

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

Of the 3 here, would be the one to go if we sign another striker, as he would drop to 4th choice. Loan to Plymouth on the cards to the end of the season.

Agreed with the Gylfi comment, mentioned this a long way back, they came along together and were core sadly for Church he needed Gylfi more than Gylfi needed him, needs balls played on the ground past the defenders, not head high or facing away from the goal, like Hunt and Long can play.

[pea]

Always liked him as a player but he didn't do himself any favours by making a "start me in games and I'll score goals" pledge to the media, only to be completely ineffective when he got an extended run in the side.

I think he's got potential and he's often a real pain for defenders coming off the bench, where he's scored some important goals, but I think he's going to have to look at Long and realise he's got to bide his time and take the opportunities when they come. His career so far reminds me very much of Long, who we all thought had some problem where if he started because he wouldn't do anything but off the bench he was a 'supersub'.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

He had about 10 minutes yesterday, when his teammates were more interested in seeing the game out rather than picking up another goal.

Church does score vital goals. Hull and Ipswich spring to mind.

[PEARCEY]

Of the 3 here, would be the one to go if we sign another striker, as he would drop to 4th choice. Loan to Plymouth on the cards to the end of the season.

Agreed with the Gylfi comment, mentioned this a long way back, they came along together and were core sadly for Church he needed Gylfi more than Gylfi needed him, needs balls played on the ground past the defenders, not head high or facing away from the goal, like Hunt and Long can play.

Spot on. I also don't think Church has had much of a chance. He never gets a proper run in the team.Much like Shane Long who finally has had a protracted run in the side and is producing the goods as a result. Church will be fourth choice striker now as Long was behind Doyle,Kitson and Lita. I hope people don't write him off. I still think he has a lot to offer Reading.

[Kitson12]

Still a rough diamond, still young, give him time. Regardless of if he becomes 4th striker he'll still score the odd vital goal.

No reason to sell, in fact it would be very stupid to sell him.

[Ian Royal]

I think the key reason he hasn't stepped up this season would have to be that he hasn't got to start upfront much. Millwall, Barnsley, Preston & Swansea. He hasn't had two games upfront on the bounce, hardly helpful in putting together some form.

Add that in to scoring 4 goals in pre-season and being left out in favour of Shane who scored none, which must be a confidence hit, especially when he see's Long going on a run of 11 games with only one goal (a penalty) and still starting regularly.

Add in his bezzie mate going and I think you've got a reasonable explanation. Give him a run in the side upfront and I expect you'll see him score goals.

[leww_rfc]

He had about 10 minutes yesterday, when his teammates were more interested in seeing the game out rather than picking up another goal.

Church does score vital goals. Hull and Ipswich spring to mind.

Doncaster

[pea]

I just hope he doesn't feel he has a right to a start place and realises he's got his whole career ahead of him and that theres nothing wrong with biding his time at this stage.

[Royal Rother]

Yet the team as a whole seems to have improved since Gylfi left.

Church and Gylffi were very good friends. THAT was my point. I didn't mention the rest of the team.

Oh well, maybe you COULD have been clearer.

If the "fact" that he's missing his mate could have caused a drop in form then he really needs to man up a bit. (Not that I believe that will have had any affect on him to be honest.)

[PieEater]

It's catch 22, he's given chances to shine and he's not taken them so he's not getting more time. He's been guilty of some appalling misses, Swansea in particular as that's the reason we lost rather than winning comfortably.

Hunt hasn't been much better, but I think he works better with Long.

[Ian Royal]

It's catch 22, he's given chances to shine and he's not taken them so he's not getting more time. He's been guilty of some appalling misses, Swansea in particular as that's the reason we lost rather than winning comfortably.

Hunt hasn't been much better, but I think he works better with Long.

He hasn't really had the same opportunities as the others though has he? Long has missed plenty of clear chances this season, but has played 24 league games isn't it? His workrate has been very good mostly, but there were plenty questioning whether it was time for him to be dropped a few months ago, justifiably so. McDermott stuck with him and it appears to be working extremely well now.

Hunt has had 5 or 6 games upfront on the bounce now. As a comparison Church has had 4 single games. And he has a very good scoring record from the bench this season. He did well last season, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't again, with a little patience and a run of games.

But then the current incumbents should be continued with whilst it is working... But I thin Church could be considered unlucky not to have been given that run of games earlier this season. And upfront, not out wide or in the hole.

[PEARCEY]

It's catch 22, he's given chances to shine and he's not taken them so he's not getting more time. He's been guilty of some appalling misses, Swansea in particular as that's the reason we lost rather than winning comfortably.

Hunt hasn't been much better, but I think he works better with Long.

He hasn't really had the same opportunities as the others though has he? Long has missed plenty of clear chances this season, but has played 24 league games isn't it? His workrate has been very good mostly, but there were plenty questioning whether it was time for him to be dropped a few months ago, justifiably so. McDermott stuck with him and it appears to be working extremely well now.

Hunt has had 5 or 6 games upfront on the bounce now. As a comparison Church has had 4 single games. And he has a very good scoring record from the bench this season. He did well last season, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't again, with a little patience and a run of games.

But then the current incumbents should be continued with whilst it is working... But I thin Church could be considered unlucky not to have been given that run of games earlier this season. And upfront, not out wide or in the hole.

I agree with all of that Ian.