Adam Le Fondre, An Under-rated Striker

    I’ve been following this striker for a long period of time now and I feel that he is so under-rated for the services he provides. Le Fondre first started his senior career at Stockport County in 2004 and proved to be a top talent. In his 63 games he grabbed 18 goals including a debut goal in the 3-1 win over Bury. He stayed at Stockport until the January transfer window of 2007 where he was loaned out to Rochdale. On his debut he scored a brace and in his 7 appearances for Rochdale during his loan spell he managed to score 4 goals.

    Rochdale was so impressed with Le Fondre’s attitude and performances they signed him permanently for undisclosed fee on a 3 year contract. Le Fondre was a constant figure in the Rochdale team and he definitely repaid the manager’s faith in him. He guided Rochdale to the Wembley Play-Off Final at the end of the 2007 campaign and also finished the season as Rochdale’s leading goal scorer. Le Fondre continued his form into the next season where he claimed top goal scorer with 21 goals and inevitably gained some rewards such as ‘Player of the Season’.

    Unfortunately Rochdale was unable to retain the services of their hit-man – 96 apps, 34 goals – as Rotherham snapped him up at the start of the 2009/10 season for an undisclosed fee. Le Fondre – like when he was at his older clubs – proved to be a favourite with the fans and he showed a potent goal threat up top. On his debut he scored in a 2-1 victory at Grimsby before scoring on his home debut against his old club Rochdale.  He continued his supreme run of form throughout the season and he helped Rotherham get into the Play-Offs. In the first and second legs against Aldershot Le Fondre scored a goal to propel Rotherham into the Play-Off final which they unluckily lost to Dagenham & Redbridge by 3-2. Le Fondre stayed with Rotherham until 2011 where he expressed his desire to play at a higher level. His wish came true as Premier League promotion hopefuls Reading snapped him up for around £350k (a bargain in my opinion). Le Fondre’s record at Rotherham finished at 96 appearances, scoring 54.

    Le Fondre has fitted in nicely at Reading and the Championship like a round peg in a round hole. Whenever he has been asked of he has gave the performances of a top class player and without his goals Reading might not have won crucial matches. Most notably of these crucial matches were the games at home to Leeds United and away to Southampton – both near the end of the season. In these games he was brought off from the bench to grab the crucial goals which secured not only promotion for Reading but to make sure they finished the season as Champions.

    Le Fondre will now be playing in England’s top league and he definitely deserves it as he has worked his way up from the lower leagues and proved his credentials. He is definitely under-rated and if I was England manager I’d give him a cap as he thoroughly deserves it. Reading signed him at an unbelievably low price but it was a wise investment to make. If I was to value him now I’d say he would be at least £2.5m as he has proved to every club he has played for that he has the ability to score goals whether they are crucial or not. I look forward to seeing Le Fondre play in the Premiership as he such a talent and I wish him and the rest of his Reading team-mates good luck in the upcoming Premier League season.