What is more infuriating?

[RoyalBlue]

A return of 12 goals last season was good for Church. he's not looking good right now though, that's for sure.

Different strikers have different strengths. Just like you can't expect Long to be a regular scorer when playing upfront alone, you can't expect consistently good performances from Church without giving him something to work with. He isn't at his best when being asked to run channels, or hold the ball up. He's at his best when we play neat passing football on the deck, with some creativity through the middle for through balls.

It's like asking Kitson to use his pace to beat defences. Or Owusu to beat a defender with skill.

Very valid point. So why does the bald one persist in selecting Church and then allowing/encouraging his team to play hoofball rather than a passing game that Church thrives on?

[Ian Royal]

Well, that's the question isn't it.

I would assume because Manset is unfit, Williams is not close to ready and Hunt has been equally poor and injured. McDermott is certainly one to persist with a player to give them a chance to work through their poor form (Long anyone?).

As for the passing style, well given Howard is the only central midfielder we have who can pick a pass and neither HRK or Antonio are good enough (yet) to replace McAnuff out wide to put him in the middle he doesn't have a whole lot of options. I'm surprised Howard hasn't played a bigger part, but maybe he's considered too lightweight if we're going to have two attacking wingers.

Presumably McDermott is relying on Kebe & McAnuff to put in match winning performances regularly enough to allow us to use central midfield as another layer of defence. Unfortunately with only one player in any sort of goalscoring form it ain't working well enough. Shut down our wingers and you stop us completely. Hence why you frequently see McAnuff or Kebe doubled or even tripled up on.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Tell you what's more infuriating!! Mcdermotts loyalty to some players and the ability not to be brave with others.

Sorry this is sooo boring

You are obviously sooo right, or conversely soooo wrong


But for the past ten years, regardless of manager..........I have read the same old b0llox each season on here

Make your mind up folks

build a team or buy a team?

[PEARCEY]

Tell you what's more infuriating!! Mcdermotts loyalty to some players and the ability not to be brave with others.

Sorry this is sooo boring

You are obviously sooo right, or conversely soooo wrong


But for the past ten years, regardless of manager..........I have read the same old b0llox each season on here

Make your mind up folks

build a team or buy a team?

You can do a bit of both Athletico.

[AthleticoSpizz]

"without funding" there is only really one choice and rightly so

...really hating this era of the tv funded game and the nailed-on extravagances that come with it

...and for the long term future of Reading................I know which side of the fence I fall on

Build, as we have sucessfully done several times recently

[Snowball]

Yes, I'd like to get promoted this season, next season, or 2012-13 (I should live so long)

NO, I don't want to get relegated.

but, hey, if we can play in this great league and still be within a shout of the play-offs
going into the last couple of games, is that so bad?

[Ian Royal]

Church.. isn't at his best when being asked to run channels, or hold the ball up.

So you're basicly saying he doesn't run much off the ball, and has no strength on the ball. Add to that he can't head the ball or shoot worth a damn, and ask yourself - is this guy really a striker or even is he worth keeping?

I think I can categorically say that is not what I'm saying.

[Ian Royal]

Well, can you please clarify what it is you think Church is particularly good at?

You could try re-reading the post you chopped a small highlight from.

[Ian Royal]

"He's at his best when playing neat passing football"

IMHO he's not really very good at anything. Can't shoot, can't head the ball, doesn't make the right runs, not reading the game well, makes the wrong decisions.
Please point out what it is you mean he does particularly well.

Yes I know what you think it's patently obvious. It's also obvious no amount of me explaining what I mean or listing Church's qualities will result in anything other than you telling me I'm wrong and moaning about him in your usual blinkered way. So if it's ok, I'll leave you to work it out without me wasting my time on you. There are plenty of clues on this thread and elsewhere.

[Snowball]

No no, I'm genuinely interested to hear what you think he's particularly good at.

All I've ever heard good about Simon is "movement". A few (I disagreed) said
he was "brilliant" at Cardiff pulling defenders around (with Hunt) so there was space
for McAnuff to run into.

His half assist v Cardiff was a rebound that found its way out to Kebe, who then had
to turn his man inside out before crossing.

He virtually never wins headers. He had one thin flick on from a goal-kick v QPR
but into space when he had to know nobody could be there. He had x=zero shots
on target at Cardiff, one on target v QPR. He also failed with a pass that he should not
have failed with. Long would have been away.

3 of his four goals have been a tap in, a deflection and a mis-hit cross. He missed
an absolute sitter at Swansea, an extremely poor miss. He missed another chance too

He LOOKS LIKE, at best, an average League One player. That's NOW and I don't know why.

Hunt, even on average form, contributes much more. An "unfit" Manset contributes much more.


I don't want to knock a Reading player. He will probably come good. Maybe he'll start
next season and get eight goals in his first ten games, but right now we need to play our
CURRENT, most-in-form best front two, we have no time to waste. Long-Hunt/Manset

[Huntley & Palmer]

For me, all last night showed was how key a player leigertwood is. He bosses our midfield like no-one else has done since Sidwell was here. We were sadly lacking in midfield yesterday and QPR had too much quality in midfield area which ultimately won them the game.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Royalee wrote:

I hope we send him back to QPR permanently, he's utter shit.


just gotta love Royalee

right each time

[Royal Lady]

Ian, you keep saying how Hunt has been poor - can you tell me how long he has been out injured for over the last year?

On the one hand you're telling me I'm an idiot on another thread for saying I'd play Manset in place of Church and yet you're saying Church isn't very good and even gave Manset higher marks than Church on the "back from the game" thread. Make your mind up.

[Ian Royal]

Ian, you keep saying how Hunt has been poor - can you tell me how long he has been out injured for over the last year?

On the one hand you're telling me I'm an idiot on another thread for saying I'd play Manset in place of Church and yet you're saying Church isn't very good and even gave Manset higher marks than Church on the "back from the game" thread. Make your mind up.

I'm calling you an idiot because you are posting idiotic comments.

I'm honestly saying when Church isn't having good games, I happen to believe a run in the team will do him good. As would better play through the middle. I also happen to think he's probably our bset starting option behind Long at the moment.

Hunt was injured for virtually an entire season, yes. And he picked up another injury recently. But he had a goodly run in the team recently and didn't really deliver after his first couple of games. He was pretty arse against Cardiff - the only reason he wasn't taken off has to be because he was a brought on as a sub. If he still isn't fit, then that's another reason to play Church ahead of him until he is fit.

Frankly I think you're vindicating my insult by not having a clue how a player can have a good substitute appearance and yet not be fit enough to play and contribute over 90 minutes.

[Snowball]

Hunt got the assist for our goal at Cardiff.

He is joint top on assists (5) with McAnuff and Howard

1 assists in 14 Starts (16 Sub Appearances) 1,387 Minutes
5 assists in 13 Starts (12 Sub Appearances) 1,297 Minutes

They are equal on goals (4) but Hunt has played 90 minutes less

The manager has publicly stated that Long-Hunt is a very good partnership