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

[Itfcblues]

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!

[ankeny]

I fear for you.....

[Itfcblues]

Haha - he's that bad?

What sort of striker is he?

[super darren caskey]

He will give his all in every match he would play for you thats for certain.A nice chap too.Seems to be finding the net in recent reserve games.I hope he stays here

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

If this happens it will be a good move for both clubs.

[Focher]

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.

[Jackson Corner]

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!

Don't expect any goals he makes Chopra look prolific.

[Itfcblues]

Is he a target man though?

[Dare to Dr£am]

Is he a target man though?

Only for abuse.

He'll scuff a few in, have some dire games, you'll all question him and get restless, then he'll score a worldy (see Leeds away) and then he keeps his place for several more games - and repeat.

Likeable guy but not a Championship quality striker for me.

[LoyalRoyal22]

Not a target man, potentially do an ok job holding it up and laying it off, but wont win anything in the air. He is one off those strikers that is not specifically great at anything, but ok in most areas. Championship Striker at best in my opinion

[Esteban]

He'll work hard and he'll score some good goals, but I don't think he really knows what his best role is. He's probably not the target man you're hoping for though. He needs a decent run in a side and if you can give him that, it might do us both a favour.

[Itfcblues]

Ok so he gives 100% but isn't actually any good in the air?

I always thought of him more as a striker that plays on the shoulder of the last defender...

[PieEater]

He is but he's not particularly quick or skillfull. His game is to make darting runs to through balls from an offside position, and tap in goal from any part of his anatomy from 2ft.

[Itfcblues]

So it's fair to say he's not a target man who will win flick ons or be any good in the air which is what were after? He prefers the ball on the ground...

[Royal Ginger]

So it's fair to say he's not a target man who will win flick ons or be any good in the air which is what were after? He prefers the ball on the ground...

It doesn't honestly matter where the ball is, he won't touch it much.

[Snowball]

4,952 Championship minutes for 21 Championship Goals

= 236 minutes per goal or about a goal every 2.5 90 minutes

That includes one very poor season 2010-11

in 2009-10 he got 10 Championship Goals in 1,856 minutes. 1 every 186 minutes. That is top-top striking

Last season as a bit-part player, often brought on when we were protecting a lead he still got 7 goals in 1639 = 234 mins/goal.


When he started out people raved about his movement and great things were expected.

Compared to someone like Shane Long (for ages he was considered MUCH better than Long) he isn't brave/reckless
but IMO, in the right Championship side, giving lots of playing time and decent service he can get back to a goal every 180 minutes.

He maybe lacks confidence but has all the raw materials to be at least a very good championship striker at least

14357 Minutes divided by 71 goals =200 minutes per goal, and that's Chopra in the Championship

[akranes]

[SLAMMED]

He does a lot of pointing and running around. Generally in the wrong direction or at the wrong time.

He also won't score any goals.

Apart from that, he's a good striker.

[Snowball]

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

[Forty]

Hard working and committed. Runs all day. If there was ever a striker who you wish could get a run of scoring......