Jordan Rhodes

[Extended-Phenotype]

I think people feel Church has been given more time and opportunity than others, and that this is perhaps due to loyalty over actual ability.

As an academy lad, the wish for him to become good might be hard for McD to ignore. But the feeling is more hopeful with ALF or Hunt who’s flourishes in class seem to promise more than what we have seen from Church.

He never wins a ball, he rarely makes a good pass, he’s hardly ever in the box when needed, he can’t time his runs, is constantly offside, scuffs an alarming ratio of shots, can’t seem to control the ball, doesn’t start games well, and fails to make an impact from the bench.

‘Works hard’ is what you put on a remedial kids report card.

[bennno]

I think people feel Church has been given more time and opportunity than others, and that this is perhaps due to loyalty over actual ability.

As an academy lad, the wish for him to become good might be hard for McD to ignore. But the feeling is more hopeful with ALF or Hunt who’s flourishes in class seem to promise more than what we have seen from Church.

He never wins a ball, he rarely makes a good pass, he’s hardly ever in the box when needed, he can’t time his runs, is constantly offside, scuffs an alarming ratio of shots, can’t seem to control the ball, doesn’t start games well, and fails to make an impact from the bench.

‘Works hard’ is what you put on a remedial kids report card.

Bit mean, but pretty accurate from my view also. Colleague who is an ex pro says his movement and work rate off ball are exceptional, but think he is perhaps a bit too nice and think he needs a bit of Hunts aggression and confidence. Or Le Fondre's knack of getting in the right place.

[Drew_3]

I think people feel Church has been given more time and opportunity than others, and that this is perhaps due to loyalty over actual ability.

As an academy lad, the wish for him to become good might be hard for McD to ignore. But the feeling is more hopeful with ALF or Hunt who’s flourishes in class seem to promise more than what we have seen from Church.

He never wins a ball, he rarely makes a good pass, he’s hardly ever in the box when needed, he can’t time his runs, is constantly offside, scuffs an alarming ratio of shots, can’t seem to control the ball, doesn’t start games well, and fails to make an impact from the bench.

‘Works hard’ is what you put on a remedial kids report card.

You describing Hunt or Church? Because For my money that is an accurate desrciption of Hunt. Church offers more in my opinion, as has been said his running of the ball and movement are exceptional (which I think was highlighted when he first got in the side). Hunt has never been the same since his injuries, which is understandable, but still.

[urz13]

Bit mean, but pretty accurate from my view also. Colleague who is an ex pro says his movement and work rate off ball are exceptional, but think he is perhaps a bit too nice and think he needs a bit of Hunts aggression and confidence. Or Le Fondre's knack of getting in the right place.

If that's exceptional, what was longs

[FiNeRaIn]

Church has some good qualities, very clever...good first touch, always making good runs and works very hard. Its not his fault his runs are not picked out because we have absolutely no creativity in the middle of the park. People keep saying " all church does is run around"...well so does karacan and you all think he's xavi.

[Drew_3]

I'm also pretty sure we're more in need of a player like Manset - skillful, a direct threat and good at link up play. He's left footed as well so he's a bit like a big strong black version of Billy Clark.

[Upper West Ginger]

Church .... never wins a ball, he rarely makes a good pass, he’s hardly ever in the box when needed, he can’t time his runs, is constantly offside ...

Actually the "constantly offside" bit is also a bit harsh. Certainly he used to get caught offside 7 or 8 times per match, but he seems to have overcome that weakness. When he was caught offside (once) last Saturday everybody sitting around me started moaning, but in reality it is unusual for him in recent months.

[RoyalJames101]

Why are people slating Church for his goals and not the other strikers who have less than him

This. He's been our best striker this season. People have been targeting him as a scapegoat seeing as ALF is a new signing and everybody oxf*rd themselves over him joining, so they will always give him a chance, yet not Church.

Long last season is just a subtle reminder at how easy it is to suddenly hit form.

[Snowball]

Why are people slating Church for his goals and not the other strikers who have less than him

This. He's been our best striker this season. People have been targeting him as a scapegoat seeing as ALF is a new signing and everybody oxf*rd themselves over him joining, so they will always give him a chance, yet not Church.

Long last season is just a subtle reminder at how easy it is to suddenly hit form.

Church has more skill than Long, but Long is better on almost every other front. Of course form
can turn around (and I really hope it does) BUT

Shane Long was a CRUDE player, without basic ball-skills (read what Karacan said about him)
but he was REALLY fast, a good jump, a good header, and brave as hell.

Church is NOTICEABLY slower, CAN'T head, ISN'T brave.

You can work on ball-skill, (and Shane is still improving), but you either have guts or you don't

[leon]

Why are people slating Church for his goals and not the other strikers who have less than him

This. He's been our best striker this season. People have been targeting him as a scapegoat seeing as ALF is a new signing and everybody oxf*rd themselves over him joining, so they will always give him a chance, yet not Church.

Long last season is just a subtle reminder at how easy it is to suddenly hit form.

Church has more skill than Long, but Long is better on almost every other front. Of course form
can turn around (and I really hope it does) BUT

Shane Long was a CRUDE player, without basic ball-skills (read what Karacan said about him)
but he was REALLY fast, a good jump, a good header, and brave as hell.

Church is NOTICEABLY slower, CAN'T head, ISN'T brave.

You can work on ball-skill, (and Shane is still improving), but you either have guts or you don't

a trifle harsh. Church doesn't have Long's pace but gets into good positions. If he was a better finisher (ie reliable) there wouldn't really be an issue. He doesn't like to get stuck in though....

[blueroyals]

Church doesn't have Long's pace but gets into good positions. If he was a better finisher (ie reliable) there wouldn't really be an issue.

In all honesty, we don't know how good a finisher he actually is. He never get's into a position where he can shoot, whether this is because he's not aggressive enough/lacks skill or because he isn't getting any service we don't know - he seems to run around a lot and a lot of the time I completely forget he's playing. I think if you were to give him the ball in the box he'd finish it - just like ALF, but until we stop playing hoof-ball and start playing to the strengths of our strikers we'll never know. Our style of play just doesn't suit those two.

[Snowball]

It would be interesting to work through all of Churchy's goals and see how many were of which type.

My memory says that probably 50% are "getting a touch" to one that might have
been going in, or shinning one in, or like the one he "nicked" but didn't get from McAnuff,
or the fourth goal at Forest that was/wasn't his...

[Royalwaster]

Yep either tap ins or screamers from outside the box - the only real exception is the good finish against Leeds. Can't think of any other 'good' finishes that required skill within the box.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Coventry away?

[Snowball]

Yep either tap ins or screamers from outside the box - the only real exception is the good finish against Leeds. Can't think of any other 'good' finishes that required skill within the box.

A 2:3 (38) Peterboro Unmarked, free header from Siggi cross
A 1:2 (33) Preston Through ball put clear?
H 1:1 (47) Ipswich Deflected low Siggi cross
H 1:1 (90) Bristol "Crafty flick" from Kebe low cross
H 4:1 (84) Derby Loose ball "turned home easily" from six yards
A 3:1 (23) Palace Hooked a volley into floor, ball bounced over Speroni
A 3:1 (81) Palace Swept home from six yards, Mills pass
H 5:0 (52) Wednesday Through ball, checked, then 25 yard shot
H 3:0 (22) Coventry Penalty
H 4:1 (90) Preston 20 yard volley!

H 1:1 (24) Liverpool Bundled in. Knew little about it?
H 2:2 (73) WBA Ball over top. Through. Keeper saved first shot, ball free tapped in

H 1:0 (88) Ipswich Corner. Miss-hit from Karacan fell to Church. First touch
A 4:0 (90) Burnley. Mis-Hit cross
H 4:3 (88) Doncaster. Howard, Antonio cut back, close in shot
A 1:1 (81) Hull Mannone flaps, ball drops to Church for tap home


H 2:0 Doncaster Keeper dropped ball under Alf challenge. Church tap-in
A 1:1 Coventry Through pass from Alf, 5-10 yards out?
H 3:2 Peterboro Kebe header going in? Tap in.
H 3:0 West Ham Alf cross to far post
H 3:0 West Ham McAnuff cross, neat header
A 1:0 Leeds (Brilliantly taken lob)

[rfc2001]

ALF's finishes have been of a higher quality than church. END OF

I want to like Church because every now and again he does do something, but at the end of the day he is just NOT good enough and I can't see how we will improve. I've read people say he has a good touch, which I think is load of SH!T, if he did then he should use it more, be more dynamic, come short link play, creative himself an opening.

Some people are blind to ALF's passing and link play, this is want makes him a better player, O yeh and his finishing ability is better.

[Drew_3]

ALF's finishes have been of a higher quality than church. END OF

I want to like Church because every now and again he does do something, but at the end of the day he is just NOT good enough and I can't see how we will improve. I've read people say he has a good touch, which I think is load of SH!T, if he did then he should use it more, be more dynamic, come short link play, creative himself an opening.

Some people are blind to ALF's passing and link play, this is want makes him a better player, O yeh and his finishing ability is better.

Your use of the English language is almost as appaling as you suggest Church's play is! I Hate it when people say END OF. This is a discussion board and therefore there are many opinions on here and no difinitive answer, however everyone is entitled to that opinion.

For what its worth I think your probably right that ALF's finishing has been better. Not too sure you would find many on here are as blind to his passing and link up play as you suggest though.

[Friday's Legacy]

Reading have ended talks with Huddersfield about bringing Jordan Rhodes to Reading this transfer window, and will continue negotiations with a view to a summer move.

Reading continue to be interested in Billy Sharp, and have now targeted Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

[1871 Royal]

[holsgrove breaks a leg]

Reading have ended talks with Huddersfield about bringing Jordan Rhodes to Reading this transfer window, and will continue negotiations with a view to a summer move.

Reading continue to be interested in Billy Sharp, and have now targeted Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

making that over 10 strikers at reading hmmmmmm...