Ellis Simms (4 Viewers)

Farmer Jim · Dec 5, 2024

Can only speak about Simms from what I saw of him as an Everton player.

He`s got everything in his locker to be an outstanding player, but and it`s a big but, for a big lad, he doesn`t seem to use his size to bully and intimidate defenders the way he should be doing.

He seems to lack aggression, which could be down to his personality, but if a manager to could find away to get him to play with more aggression, he`ll be a real handful.

He tended to come of the bench at Everton and his first goal for the club, was an absolute beauty, against Chelsea, where he was put through just outside the box, used his strength to bang the centre half away and then switched feet to score.

He`s definitely got what it takes, it`s just finding a way to get the best out of him.

SkyBlueMatt · Dec 5, 2024

Farmer Jim said:
Can only speak about Simms from what I saw of him as an Everton player.

He`s got everything in his locker to be an outstanding player, but and it`s a big but, for a big lad, he doesn`t seem to use his size to bully and intimidate defenders the way he should be doing.

He seems to lack aggression, which could be down to his personality, but if a manager to could find away to get him to play with more aggression, he`ll be a real handful.

He tended to come of the bench at Everton and his first goal for the club, was an absolute beauty, against Chelsea, where he was put through just outside the box, used his strength to bang the centre half away and then switched feet to score.

He`s definitely got what it takes, it`s just finding a way to get the best out of him.

When we signed him, I was sure he would become a great signing. I still believe that but I'm not as confident. I think if we play well, he plays well and this is the problem with the vast majority of our team. He doesn't seem like a player that can grab the game by the scruff.

Ability wise, I think he definitely could be a solid PL striker but it the mental side which is in question. Does he have the desire to do what it takes to be successful in the Championship? Like Hamer & Gyokeres, they wanted more than the Championship. Unfortunately, it wasn't with us but their hard work got them a move.

Hopefully the change of coaching will bring that out of him.

Mucca Mad Boys · Dec 5, 2024

skybluecam said:
I would start him over Bassette or BTA right now easily.

More faith should’ve been put in Simms at the start of the season. He came big in important matches for us, Man U, Leeds and Wolves to name a few.

Tinkering with BTA and Bassette hasn’t helped imo.

Farmer Jim · Dec 5, 2024

SkyBlueMatt said:
When we signed him, I was sure he would become a great signing. I still believe that but I'm not as confident. I think if we play well, he plays well and this is the problem with the vast majority of our team. He doesn't seem like a player that can grab the game by the scruff.

Ability wise, I think he definitely could be a solid PL striker but it the mental side which is in question. Does he have the desire to do what it takes to be successful in the Championship? Like Hamer & Gyokeres, they wanted more than the Championship. Unfortunately, it wasn't with us but their hard work got them a move.

Hopefully the change of coaching will bring that out of him.

I do agree, he seems like he’s very much a confidence player.

I appreciate the SPL is a bit of a “ lesser league “ but he was very highly thought of during his loan spell at Hearts, where he led the line really well for the majority of his time there.

He‘d possibly benefit from a little nark playing behind him as a 10 to act as his supplier.

Not many teams play like that unfortunately.

shmmeee · Dec 5, 2024

For me our best front three by a mile is Saka Simms Wright, I think a lot of our issues have been chopping and changing and not letting them build a rapport.

TomRad85 · Dec 5, 2024

shmmeee said:
For me our best front three by a mile is Saka Simms Wright, I think a lot of our issues have been chopping and changing and not letting them build a rapport.

It was good when it got going last season and I think many were expecting it to be one of the best in the league this season, but its not been allowed to get going.

SBT · Dec 5, 2024

Simms has all the physical attributes to be an imposing striker and by the looks of things has had those from a young age, which may explain why he did so well at youth level. He's clearly an introverted guy, so the fear is that he lacks the drive to impose himself on defenders now that he doesn't have that physical advantage at senior level. But I seem to recall an interview with Bobby Thomas where he talked about how Simms is routinely throwing elbows etc in training, so I do think he has it in him.

AOM · Dec 5, 2024

Farmer Jim said:
Can only speak about Simms from what I saw of him as an Everton player.

He`s got everything in his locker to be an outstanding player, but and it`s a big but, for a big lad, he doesn`t seem to use his size to bully and intimidate defenders the way he should be doing.

He seems to lack aggression, which could be down to his personality, but if a manager to could find away to get him to play with more aggression, he`ll be a real handful.

He tended to come of the bench at Everton and his first goal for the club, was an absolute beauty, against Chelsea, where he was put through just outside the box, used his strength to bang the centre half away and then switched feet to score.

He`s definitely got what it takes, it`s just finding a way to get the best out of him.

Pretty much the same description as what we've experienced with Simms here as well imo.

He caused the Wolves and Man Utd defences so much trouble last season in the FA cup, but he looks like a big confidence player and can lack consistency and self-belief.
As others have said, think he'd benefit from a consistent run. I really like him, but I also can see why he's a bit of a divisive figure with fans

fernandopartridge · Dec 5, 2024

Farmer Jim said:
Can only speak about Simms from what I saw of him as an Everton player.

He`s got everything in his locker to be an outstanding player, but and it`s a big but, for a big lad, he doesn`t seem to use his size to bully and intimidate defenders the way he should be doing.

He seems to lack aggression, which could be down to his personality, but if a manager to could find away to get him to play with more aggression, he`ll be a real handful.

He tended to come of the bench at Everton and his first goal for the club, was an absolute beauty, against Chelsea, where he was put through just outside the box, used his strength to bang the centre half away and then switched feet to score.

He`s definitely got what it takes, it`s just finding a way to get the best out of him.

Agreed, I don't know if you can coach an aggressive instinct though, I'd say it's an innate thing.

shmmeee · Dec 5, 2024

fernandopartridge said:
Agreed, I don't know if you can coach an aggressive instinct though, I'd say it's an innate thing.

Ive got half a kilo of cocaine and some steroids that disagree.

Mucca Mad Boys · Dec 5, 2024

fernandopartridge said:
Agreed, I don't know if you can coach an aggressive instinct though, I'd say it's an innate thing.

The way the game is reffed nowadays, whenever he is aggressive, it gets called a foul!

Defenders and goalkeepers are overprotected by the refs now imo.

Mucca Mad Boys · Dec 5, 2024

AOM said:
Pretty much the same description as what we've experienced with Simms here as well imo.

He caused the Wolves and Man Utd defences so much trouble last season in the FA cup, but he looks like a big confidence player and can lack consistency and self-belief.
As others have said, think he'd benefit from a consistent run. I really like him, but I also can see why he's a bit of a divisive figure with fans

He was consistently excellent from New Year’s to the end of the season. This season his form, in my view, is down to being in and out of the team.

For example, he scored against Watford and was dropped for the next game to be brought back for the Leeds, then back out. Compared that with Haji, who had a 5 game drought between his Oxford and Blackburn goals. Then he hit some form a couple of games later.

He was our joint top goal scorer last year and really deserved a bit more faith to lead the line to hit a goal scoring run. Simms was a victim of MR’s indecision/tinkering with the line up imo and the alternatives of Bassette and BTA just aren’t better than him.

Chris1987 · Dec 5, 2024

In my opinion the reason that Simms hasn't kicked on this season is two fold. Firstly and most importantly I think that the coaching of him has been garbage . He's often looked as though he has no clue what his role is off the ball. Secondly due to this he has been in and out of the side. Combination of the coaching staff and Robins are at fault for this . I think that there is a very competent Championship player in him which Lampard and co need to unlock.

peteCCFC · Dec 5, 2024

Farmer Jim said:
Can only speak about Simms from what I saw of him as an Everton player.

He`s got everything in his locker to be an outstanding player, but and it`s a big but, for a big lad, he doesn`t seem to use his size to bully and intimidate defenders the way he should be doing.

He seems to lack aggression, which could be down to his personality, but if a manager to could find away to get him to play with more aggression, he`ll be a real handful.

He tended to come of the bench at Everton and his first goal for the club, was an absolute beauty, against Chelsea, where he was put through just outside the box, used his strength to bang the centre half away and then switched feet to score.

He`s definitely got what it takes, it`s just finding a way to get the best out of him.

Apparently he never sleeps, was that a thing at Everton too?

Sky_Blue_Dreamer · Dec 5, 2024

Chris1987 said:
In my opinion the reason that Simms hasn't kicked on this season is two fold. Firstly and most importantly I think that the coaching of him has been garbage . He's often looked as though he has no clue what his role is off the ball. Secondly due to this he has been in and out of the side. Combination of the coaching staff and Robins are at fault for this . I think that there is a very competent Championship player in him which Lampard and co need to unlock.

There are the rumours which suggest he's far from the brightest so possibly struggles to take on board any coaching.

Of course that may be completely untrue and I have no wish to disparage him unnecessarily.

Mucca Mad Boys · Dec 5, 2024

Sky_Blue_Dreamer said:
There are the rumours which suggest he's far from the brightest so possibly struggles to take on board any coaching.

Of course that may be completely untrue and I have no wish to disparage him unnecessarily.

It’s more likely the coaching hasn’t been good enough. As people have mentioned, the touchline during games there were many inputs from different coaches, how would players respond to contradictory instructions, for example. Look at BTA, he was solid championship striker last year and looks pretty useless in our system - he’s clearly a good player.

EMC’s goal at the weekend wouldn’t have been scored if Robins/Carr was in charge, I’ve rarely seen Sakamoto put a cross from that kind of area in previous games.

I don’t believe Simms is particularly dim either and seems more of a lazy caricature because he’s clumsy on the ball.

SBT · Dec 6, 2024

Mucca Mad Boys said:
It’s more likely the coaching hasn’t been good enough. As people have mentioned, the touchline during games there were many inputs from different coaches, how would players respond to contradictory instructions, for example. Look at BTA, he was solid championship striker last year and looks pretty useless in our system - he’s clearly a good player.

EMC’s goal at the weekend wouldn’t have been scored if Robins/Carr was in charge, I’ve rarely seen Sakamoto put a cross from that kind of area in previous games.

None of us have any idea what the players are being told from the sideline. This idea that players won’t do anything until the coaches shout instructions at them like they’re playing FIFA is ridiculous (“Chip it into EMC, Tats!”)

Terry_dactyl · Dec 6, 2024

ovduk78 said:
Also Leicester away when he scored both goals in a 2-0 win & Arsenal away in a 0-0 draw

That Arsenal game was ridiculous. 2nd half it felt like we didn’t get out of our penalty box let alone our half. Dublin was immense. I remember him clearing one off the line when it seemed like a certain goal, and Oggy having his nose broken (for the 43rd time) by Ian Wright’s knee.

Mucca Mad Boys · Dec 6, 2024

SBT said:
None of us have any idea what the players are being told from the sideline. This idea that players won’t do anything until the coaches shout instructions at them like they’re playing FIFA is ridiculous (“Chip it into EMC, Tats!”)

No and that wasn’t what I was saying. Most players do need to stick to the proscribed structure otherwise they’ll be out of the team.

Looking at tactical ideas, under Robins was more we preferred crosses from the byline. For EMC’s goal, Sakamoto crossed it from the edge of the box and without going into the archives, I’m pretty sure he’s not really attempted that in his role at Cov. Which leads to be believe it’s a new tactical idea introduced to the team.

Lampard and his team will have his own tactical ideas and the players will execute that.

Captain Dart · Dec 6, 2024

Mucca Mad Boys said:
No and that wasn’t what I was saying. Most players do need to stick to the proscribed structure otherwise they’ll be out of the team.

Looking at tactical ideas, under Robins was more we preferred crosses from the byline. For EMC’s goal, Sakamoto crossed it from the edge of the box and without going into the archives, I’m pretty sure he’s not really attempted that in his role at Cov. Which leads to be believe it’s a new tactical idea introduced to the team.

Lampard and his team will have his own tactical ideas and the players will execute that.

I am sure he has, if the plan is to get to the by line usually he slips it to Milan after he runs past him. However more often than not Tats plays it a bit lower in towards the penalty spot rather than to the back post.

Calista · Jan 26, 2025

From posts on other threads it's clear that Simms is something of a 'Marmite' player. I'm in the "love him" camp.

He's playing arguably the toughest position on the pitch, as evidenced by the premium which is paid for top strikers. Some centre forwards take a few years to really mature into the player they can be, and I reckon he falls into that bracket. IMO we'd be mad to let him go, because over the next few years he's got the potential to develop into one of the most coveted strikers around.

Calista · Jan 26, 2025

Mind you, he does need to stop jumping for headers three seconds before the ball arrives. Puzzling that!

SBT · Jan 26, 2025

The funniest thing about the early jumping thing is that he’s clearly been told he can win more headers by jumping sooner, but he’s massively overcompensating and hasn’t figured it out yet. Absolutely adorable.

skyblu3sk · Jan 26, 2025

SBT said:
The funniest thing about the early jumping thing is that he’s clearly been told he can win more headers by jumping sooner, but he’s massively overcompensating and hasn’t figured it out yet. Absolutely adorable.

Like Bambi on ice... He could almost just keep his feet on the floor and win more.

Evo1883 · Jan 26, 2025

Calista said:
From posts on other threads it's clear that Simms is something of a 'Marmite' player. I'm in the "love him" camp.

He's playing arguably the toughest position on the pitch, as evidenced by the premium which is paid for top strikers. Some centre forwards take a few years to really mature into the player they can be, and I reckon he falls into that bracket. IMO we'd be mad to let him go, because over the next few years he's got the potential to develop into one of the most coveted strikers around.

I hope you're right

Saddlebrains · Jan 26, 2025

I just get hugely frustrated with him

He has all the attributes to be a phenomenal player, strength, height, power, pace, can finish

But he goes missing for months on end and his general lackadaisical demeanour doesn't help him

However when he plays like he has done the last few weeks, he's exactly what we need in that role

Alkhen · Jan 26, 2025

I think people underestimate what he offers due to the way he looks and moves on the pitch, his frame and posture makes him look ungainly. He can't help that.

Said it before but playing up against a unit like Simms is physically draining for defenders. He's just about the only striker we have that can hold up the ball and play others in. He's done that well in recent weeks. Goals will come I'm sure but for me he offers more than our other opinions at the moment

SeshMouseSkyBlue · Jan 26, 2025

Calista said:
Mind you, he does need to stop jumping for headers three seconds before the ball arrives. Puzzling that!

Reminds me of Micky Quinn

MalcSB · Jan 26, 2025

Mucca Mad Boys said:
The way the game is reffed nowadays, whenever he is aggressive, it gets called a foul!

Defenders and goalkeepers are overprotected by the refs now imo.

He does t even need to be aggressive. Lots of very soft free kicks give against him, probably because he looks a big fucker. I wouldn’t be surprised if it puts him off throwing his weight around.

skybluedan · Jan 26, 2025

Hes shit

Calista · Jan 26, 2025

skybluedan said:
Hes shit

How are you with Marmite?

David O'Day · Jan 26, 2025

skybluedan said:
Hes shit

You the blind fella?

Mucca Mad Boys · Jan 26, 2025

Saddlebrains said:
I just get hugely frustrated with him

He has all the attributes to be a phenomenal player, strength, height, power, pace, can finish

But he goes missing for months on end and his general lackadaisical demeanour doesn't help him

However when he plays like he has done the last few weeks, he's exactly what we need in that role

He hasn’t gone missing, he hadn’t played consecutive games since September before starts v Bristol and Blackburn.

Being limited to 20-30 minute cameos will not help any player, especially strikers. Just look at Eccles, was a top performer in the team yet his substitute cameos have attracted criticism. He’s not become a bad player, it’s difficult to come in from the bench and make a big impact.

AFCCOVENTRY · Jan 26, 2025

I like what Frank has done since he took over. Given some rough love to Simms and really pushing him to be the best.

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