An Ipswich fan writes: Church - is he any good?

[Elm Park Old Boy]

Wish him well too. And all the better if he gets a run of games, scores some goals and builds confidence and experience. He's got ability and it is toe-curling the readiness of Reading 'fans' to slag off their own players in public.

[Libertine]

I hope it goes well for him. Like others have said all I want to see is for him to find his form and help us be a successful Premier League team. He has the talent needed, I think he needs more time on the pitch to regain hos confidence and form...

[Barry the bird boggler]

Perfectly decent player. Made his debut for us wide on the right against Burnley in the playoffs in 2008. He was actually outstanding in the time he was on the pitch (think he was subbed at half time as the general play wasn't going our way and SC decided on different tactics).

He is good and hardworking and will give 100%, he is not a target man but one of those that will turn up anywhere across the front and pull people out of position. He'll make space for others and can score great goals as well as the typical poacher's 1 yarder.

You'll see a variety of conflicting opinions on here as he never's never really had a prolonged run in the team, personally I think he can handle Championship level alright but needs a long run in a first team somewhere to really prove his worth and whether he would be able to make the step up.

If he does go on loan I hope he does really well for himself and his club.

[SpaceCruiser]

This lot, almost to a man slammed Shane Long too.

because for all but his last season with us, he was rubbish

Not entirely true, he was improving the season before and even got about 10 goals. Remember he was still a young man. He's now, what, 23,24?

[RoyalBlue]

I am sure that freed from the wonderful 'support' he receives from a section of our fan base he will thrive and show that he is a decent young (and he is still young) player.

Thing is, once Church has gone out on loan, who will be the next target for our boo boys? (although half already seem to be diverting their attentions to Feds in preparation for when Church goes).

[old woman]

Is embarassing being a Reading Fan seeing all the negative comments about one of our own players.I remember the same for Shane Long when he had his barren spell

Totally agree.

Decent Championship striker - got McDermott's first goal with that great finish against Bristol City in the last few seconds

....and then got sent off for a 2nd bookable offence by a bloody jobsworth ref.
Respect to him also for the goal against Leeds last season. One of the few occaisions he's started a game- normally brought on as a sub if we are winning.

[Ian Royal]

Is embarassing being a Reading Fan seeing all the negative comments about one of our own players.I remember the same for Shane Long when he had his barren spell

Totally agree.

Decent Championship striker - got McDermott's first goal with that great finish against Bristol City in the last few seconds

....and then got sent off for a 2nd bookable offence by a bloody jobsworth ref.
Respect to him also for the goal against Leeds last season. One of the few occaisions he's started a game- normally brought on as a sub if we are winning.

He started about 18 games last season. And 65 starts for us in total.

[Royal Ginger]

No-one's saying that they don't want him to succeed, but the collective groan every time he comes onto the pitch can't be ignored. He's not proven himself competent at Championship level. He's put on some massive performances in the reserve/u21 team, and perhaps that's his level. He cold be a pretty iffy Champ striker, or just perhaps a game changing League 1/2 striker. I'd love him to do well, and would be delighted if (as Long did) he suddenly pulled it out of the bag. He's always been about potential, but at some point you've got to step it up...we'll, get on with it.

It won't be long before the likes of Ugwu and Sammuel will be knocking at the door. He needs to make sure he has a first team player before then, with us or with someone else.

P.S. Shouldn't this be on R&G?

[akranes]

I am sure that freed from the wonderful 'support' he receives from a section of our fan base he will thrive and show that he is a decent young (and he is still young) player.

Thing is, once Church has gone out on loan, who will be the next target for our boo boys? (although half already seem to be diverting their attentions to Feds in preparation for when Church goes).

Feds, Kebe or Pog I suspect... failing that, alternation between Gunter and Cummings...

[peterroyal76]

Good player who thrives on confidence and is unfairly maligned on here. He is good enough for that level, despite what this lot say his movement is good and given a run of games and with it that much needed confidence he could score quite regularly.

This lot always need someone to have a go at right now it's Church, before him it was Matt Mills and before him Shane Long. The list is endless.

Spot on Sandman. I fear Jobi may be their next target.

[Platypuss]

I am sure that freed from the wonderful 'support' he receives from a section of our fan base he will thrive and show that he is a decent young (and he is still young) player.

Like every other time he's gone out on loan?

[Pepe the Horseman]

Decent player but struggled for goals even while we were challenging at the top, dunno how he'd cope in a relegation battle.

Nicely done.

[West Stand Man]

Hi guys, Ipswich fan here...

Simon Church is being heavily linked with a move to us on loan this week - was just wondering what we can expect from him if he was to sign? Ideally were looking for a target man, could he be this man?

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

id say his best asset is to make completely the wrong run at completely the wrong time.

Matched only by your ability to talk rubbish?

[Platypuss]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz @ ad hominems. Play the ball not the man.

[Za Vas]

Always felt that Churchy has been a victim of our style of football.

His runs, imo, are very well timed and into good areas. But with us getting it to the wide men and pressing the box, the aren't often met with the type of pass he would be looking for. Very much a striker who aims to attack through the defence. His finishing can be a bit hit and miss, but with a prolonged run somewhere I think he could do well at Champ level.

[jazz]

I can't read all this. Has Church actually gone out on loan or not? Fact or not?

[melonhead]

wish him well- lovely bloke, decent enough, but not prolific- likes ball on the floor, so has struggled with us.

really hope he does well and shoves the criticism down all these twats throats

[RoyalBlue]

wish him well- lovely bloke, decent enough, but not prolific- likes ball on the floor, so has struggled with us.

really hope he does well and shoves the criticism down all these twats throats

A relatively rare occasion but fully agree!

[SCIAG]

This lot, almost to a man slammed Shane Long too.

because for all but his last season with us, he was rubbish

Not entirely true, he was improving the season before and even got about 10 goals. Remember he was still a young man. He's now, what, 23,24?

Long got about 5 league goals that season. Church was closer to 10.

He's not nearly as bad as it has become fashionable to say. He's deservedly fifth choice right now, but he's still a good player and would probably score 10-12 goals in the Championship given a whole season of decent service. He played half a season with minimal service last year and scored, what, 7?

[LUX]

yeah, I am pissed off with all the Church negativity. He did a great job for us and I wish him well at Ipswich.