Wright (6 Viewers)

[SBAndy]

Aerial duals isn’t a particularly useful stat in of itself because we don’t play long ball. The important stat is headers scored which he’s scored a good few goals in his career.

This season, we’ve scored more headed goals than the EFL and just about every major European league this season (19). The conclusion that you and many others have seemed to make is that we’ve scored many headers and therefore need to direct everything into signing players good in the air with little after thought (Moore and Morris being better examples of this thread of thought). It’s not illogical, but it’s clear we’re honing in on it too much.

We need to diversify the chances we create because there’s a risk that we’re becoming overly reliant on headed goals. Lampard has already touched on it as being a potential problem if that’s all we revert back to in the final third. Looking at how the season ended, there were games that the opposition were effective in defending against Plan A and we struggled for Plan B.

Realistically, we’re probably not going to score that many headed goals next season, much less improve it so we need something different in the final third imo.

Agree with a lot of this, but I still think it’s important that we have someone more capable in the air, even if only to build our attacks from them. Away from that, though, Simms lacks the movement and technical ability to cause the opposition other issues.

Someone called out we effectively need an Ivan Toney/Didier Drogba regen. Far easier said than done.

 

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[TomRad85]

It's getting hard to have a discussion on here because people simply can't follow a thread or make shit up.

For the hysterical 'we don't need to rip up our forward line' people, that's a completely bad faith argument as we play a front 3 and EMC and Sakamoto have not been mentioned, we do need more cover out wide but that's for another thread. Once you accept that you realise we're just talking about our CF options and whether they need freshening up.

BTA and Simms, no controversy there i don't think, fair enough if you don't think they should go but i reckon a large percentage of the fanbase would disagree and i'd be surprised if the club isn't working on it right now.

Wright could command a fairly big fee, it's how we build to go again. If Frank wants to bring in his own players he'll need the money. Big money sales we're talking Wright, MvE and Rudoni really. Watching Wright recently its him over the other 2 all day for me. If he stays then like i said, all good, he's a good player who will continue to be useful for us i'm sure. He does however deserve the stick he's got for his recent form, it was comically shit.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Aerial duals isn’t a particularly useful stat in of itself because we don’t play long ball. The important stat is headers scored which he’s scored a good few goals in his career.

This season, we’ve scored more headed goals than the EFL and just about every major European league this season (19). The conclusion that you and many others have seemed to make is that we’ve scored many headers and therefore need to direct everything into signing players good in the air with little after thought (Moore and Morris being better examples of this thread of thought). It’s not illogical, but it’s clear we’re honing in on it too much.

We need to diversify the chances we create because there’s a risk that we’re becoming overly reliant on headed goals. Lampard has already touched on it as being a potential problem if that’s all we revert back to in the final third. Looking at how the season ended, there were games that the opposition were effective in defending against Plan A and we struggled for Plan B.

Realistically, we’re probably not going to score that many headed goals next season, much less improve it so we need something different in the final third imo.

Good post to be fair and agree on us needing to diversify our attack.

I just personally believe a target man who is a presence in the box, can hold up and pass it along would be a big plus for our system.

Also based on the other stats, I think he has a lot of potential and would allow us to invest into other areas especially the higher goal per 90 and shots on target.

Agree it’s important not to funnel all attacks into one area but think we’ve got plenty of avenues to hurt teams, with the wingers cutting in and 8s driving forward . Not to mention set pieces, got more work to do but I think it’s a good start.

I think one big problem was the Strikers including BTA struggling to get involved in the system due to either not suiting the set up or not having the ability to work within it

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Good post to be fair and agree on us needing to diversify our attack.

I just personally believe a target man who is a presence in the box, can hold up and pass it along would be a big plus for our system.

Also based on the other stats, I think he has a lot of potential and would allow us to invest into other areas especially the higher goal per 90 and shots on target.

Agree it’s important not to funnel all attacks into one area but think we’ve got plenty of avenues to hurt teams, with the wingers cutting in and 8s driving forward . Not to mention set pieces, got more work to do but I think it’s a good start.

I think one big problem was the Strikers including BTA struggling to get involved against Sunderland as BTA had no where to run into, and wright struggled being marked by the two CBs.

We do actually try to do this.

The issue we have is, our build up play is far too slow at times as we don't really have a player that is capable of moving the ball on quickly and with Simms being physically incapable of retaining the ball in any capacity or bring others into play it forces us to continually take the safer route by pushing the ball out wide and progress the ball up the flanks.

But obviously repeatedly doing the same thing makes us awfully predictable.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

We do actually try to do this.

The issue we have is, our build up play is far too slow at times as we don't really have a player that is capable of moving the ball on quickly and with Simms being physically incapable of retaining the ball in any capacity or bring others into play it forces us to continually take the safer route by pushing the ball out wide and progress the ball up the flanks.

But obviously repeatedly doing the same thing makes us awfully predictable.

Yeah this is my point. I think the attacking variety would be much better with a traditional target man who could bring players into the attack and occupy defenders.

 

[peteCCFC]

Good post to be fair and agree on us needing to diversify our attack.

I just personally believe a target man who is a presence in the box, can hold up and pass it along would be a big plus for our system.

Also based on the other stats, I think he has a lot of potential and would allow us to invest into other areas especially the higher goal per 90 and shots on target.

Agree it’s important not to funnel all attacks into one area but think we’ve got plenty of avenues to hurt teams, with the wingers cutting in and 8s driving forward . Not to mention set pieces, got more work to do but I think it’s a good start.

I think one big problem was the Strikers including BTA struggling to get involved against Sunderland as BTA had no where to run into, and wright struggled being marked by the two CBs.

We already have a very diverse attack. One can't control it, one can't shoot, one is good at offsides and the other can't be arsed. Diversity at it's finest.

 

[procdoc]

Not your average season but we would have needed another 31 points to make the autos. To get up there we definitely need a rethink. If we are happy with the play offs then just a tinker.

We cannot financially compete with the parachute clubs so playoffs is best it’s going to ever be

 

[procdoc]

It's getting hard to have a discussion on here because people simply can't follow a thread or make shit up.

For the hysterical 'we don't need to rip up our forward line' people, that's a completely bad faith argument as we play a front 3 and EMC and Sakamoto have not been mentioned, we do need more cover out wide but that's for another thread. Once you accept that you realise we're just talking about our CF options and whether they need freshening up.

BTA and Simms, no controversy there i don't think, fair enough if you don't think they should go but i reckon a large percentage of the fanbase would disagree and i'd be surprised if the club isn't working on it right now.

Wright could command a fairly big fee, it's how we build to go again. If Frank wants to bring in his own players he'll need the money. Big money sales we're talking Wright, MvE and Rudoni really. Watching Wright recently its him over the other 2 all day for me. If he stays then like i said, all good, he's a good player who will continue to be useful for us i'm sure. He does however deserve the stick he's got for his recent form, it was comically shit.

Some people have suggested we should sell Wright, BTA and Simms. That is ripping up your forward line. Leaves us with just Bassette lol

 

[Domo]

Some people have suggested we should sell Wright, BTA and Simms. That is ripping up your forward line. Leaves us with just Bassette lol

 

[alexccfc99]

Say what you want about Wright and I agree that at times he can be a frustrating player and his performances across the play offs were sub standard - But:

16 Championship goals in 2023/24

12 in 2024/25 - missed 19 games through injury, he would have easily gone on to hit 20 goals had he not been crocked

Before injury he was not only our best player but one of the best in the division and there is an argument to be had the only thing keeping us out of the relegation zone at that point were him and his goals

He seems like a pretty safe bet at 15 goals a season on what we have seen so far, how much will we have to pay to replace those? Sargent is a non starter, any other suggestions

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

you all know simms has the quality, he isnt wright, and he isnt viktor, he isnt godden, he hast to be used to his best attributes, which was again done a couple of seasons ago. Robins prob used him in a different way than lampard expects, and i think saddles said before lamp has been asking him to do things and hes not doing it. but that doesnt take away from the point he does have quality.

"Simms has the quality, he hast to be used to his best abilities"

Please share I'd love to know what they are.

 

[procdoc]

Say what you want about Wright and I agree that at times he can be a frustrating player and his performances across the play offs were sub standard - But:

16 Championship goals in 2023/24

12 in 2024/25 - missed 19 games through injury, he would have easily gone on to hit 20 goals had he not been crocked

Before injury he was not only our best player but one of the best in the division and there is an argument to be had the only thing keeping us out of the relegation zone at that point were him and his goals

He seems like a pretty safe bet at 15 goals a season on what we have seen so far, how much will we have to pay to replace those? Sargent is a non starter, any other suggestions

completely agree, Sargent will cost between 15-20 million for a start. Then even if we somehow stumped up the fee, his wage demands would be out of our range. Also his injury record isn't the best, that's a lot to outlay on a someone with his sketchy injury record

 

[torchomatic]

Wright called up.

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2025/05/mauricio-pochettino-27-player-roster-training-camp-june-matches-turkey-switzerland

Striker Haji Wright collected 12 goals and one assist in 29 matches as Coventry City fell just short of Premier League promotion.

 

[mark82]

We cannot financially compete with the parachute clubs so playoffs is best it’s going to ever be

Not necessarily. You need a bit of luck, and a good team, but Ipswich proved it can be done.

 

[mark82]

Wright called up.

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2025/05/mauricio-pochettino-27-player-roster-training-camp-june-matches-turkey-switzerland

Striker Haji Wright collected 12 goals and one assist in 29 matches as Coventry City fell just short of Premier League promotion.

Not sure that is a good thing for Wright/us. Felt like he needed a proper rest to properly recover from his injury earlier in the season.

 

[shmmeee]

The point of getting better isn’t to get autos it’s because we aren’t good enough to win the POs right now. It’s all well and good saying “we’ll make the playoffs” but pointless if you’re never close to winning them. You need a fluke season where there’s only two good teams or you need a squad that can bridge the gap a bit so you can compete with third. We aren’t going to go up with the current squad.

 

[procdoc]

The point of getting better isn’t to get autos it’s because we aren’t good enough to win the POs right now. It’s all well and good saying “we’ll make the playoffs” but pointless if you’re never close to winning them. You need a fluke season where there’s only two good teams or you need a squad that can bridge the gap a bit so you can compete with third. We aren’t going to go up with the current squad.

we were a penalty shootout from winning them a couple of years ago

 

[shmmeee]

we were a penalty shootout from winning them a couple of years ago

That was a fluke year. It’s not often the rest of the league is as poor as Luton and Luton were comfortably better than us all season and on the day of we’re honest.

 

[wingy]

Good post to be fair and agree on us needing to diversify our attack.

I just personally believe a target man who is a presence in the box, can hold up and pass it along would be a big plus for our system.

Also based on the other stats, I think he has a lot of potential and would allow us to invest into other areas especially the higher goal per 90 and shots on target.

Agree it’s important not to funnel all attacks into one area but think we’ve got plenty of avenues to hurt teams, with the wingers cutting in and 8s driving forward . Not to mention set pieces, got more work to do but I think it’s a good start.

I think one big problem was the Strikers including BTA struggling to get involved in the system due to either not suiting the set up or not having the ability to work within it

Those set pieces evaporated really for the last six games or so, although Rudi did get on the end of a couple from open play.

 

[Shannerz]

That was a fluke year. It’s not often the rest of the league is as poor as Luton and Luton were comfortably better than us all season and on the day of we’re honest.

Of course it wasn't. It was a normal Championship year.

If you're in the play-offs, then you're good enough to win them. The season goes out the window once you're there; it's come out on top in three games. That's not beyond any team that gets that far.

 

[SBT]

That was a fluke year. It’s not often the rest of the league is as poor as Luton and Luton were comfortably better than us all season and on the day of we’re honest.

And yet!

 

[shmmeee]

Of course it wasn't. It was a normal Championship year.

If you're in the play-offs, then you're good enough to win them. The season goes out the window once you're there; it's come out on top in three games. That's not beyond any team that gets that far.

I’d just rather go in not requiring the opposition to have a bad day.

 

[Domo]

"Simms has the quality, he hast to be used to his best abilities"

Please share I'd love to know what they are.

well lets put it this way, we assume simms is good in the air because hes big, last season (2023/2024) where he scored 13 goals:

2 headers (one of which was from a dropped ball from the GK against rotherham & one from a corner)
2 left foot
8 right foot
1 "other body part" (chest against plymouth)

simms is best used as a poacher, hanging around the 6 yards box and getting the scraps in. if lamp has been asking him to hold up the ball, pass more accurately, and link up play, that isnt what simms does, and its not going to work.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Good post to be fair and agree on us needing to diversify our attack.

I just personally believe a target man who is a presence in the box, can hold up and pass it along would be a big plus for our system.

Also based on the other stats, I think he has a lot of potential and would allow us to invest into other areas especially the higher goal per 90 and shots on target.

Agree it’s important not to funnel all attacks into one area but think we’ve got plenty of avenues to hurt teams, with the wingers cutting in and 8s driving forward . Not to mention set pieces, got more work to do but I think it’s a good start.

I think one big problem was the Strikers including BTA struggling to get involved in the system due to either not suiting the set up or not having the ability to work within it

Salech’s stats for his entire career, there’s a lot of metrics where he’s identical to Simms (fyi - per 90 stats). But with better dribbling, aerial duals and tackles. So for £7-10m, are you actually getting a significantly better player? There’s no doubt his half season with Cardiff was a great start but it’s too small a sample to justify spending the sums it would take for him specifically.

Simms has also scored 4 headers which is a good amount and most, if not all of Rudoni’s headed goals have come from the striker occupying 2 CBs and he arrives late in the box. Playing BTA > Simms in the first leg was a mistake imo, said with hindsight ofc.

Even against Sunderland, as bad as Haji Wright played imo, he occupied 2-3 defenders for both Rudoni’s and EMC’s goals. He ‘created’ the space for other players and this doesn’t count as an assist or aerial dual won.

In short, a lot of people are guilty of being willing to chuck baby out with bathwater when it comes to the strikers.

Moving on from the strikers, I’m just v surprised that people are content with the output from our wingers. Sakamoto and EMC have managed 9 goals between them which just isn’t good enough in a formation where we play one striker. EMC probably gets 10+ goals in a full season as he underperformed his xG and played a relatively small amount of minutes (1,635 = about 18.2 games). Sakamoto’s xG in 40+ games was 3.3 which is concerning, tbh. A goal every 700+ minutes from a winger is just not good enough at the top end of the Championship.

Whilst Simms, Haji, BTA, Bassette and EMC all underperformed their xG which is obviously bad but at least they’re in positions to score… Sakamoto just isn’t a dangerous goal threat. It may not seem it, I rate Sakamoto highly but he’s a niche player imo and think he could thrive being an impact role player.

For all the focus on the strikers, the wingers are a higher priority all day. Firstly, we only have 3 contracted for next season (one being Rapha who played 38 minutes all season). More importantly, the goal contributions just haven’t good enough in that formation from wide areas. EMC’s underlying data metrics is a cause for cautious optimism for next season.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Salech’s stats for his entire career, there’s a lot of metrics where he’s identical to Simms (fyi - per 90 stats). But with better dribbling, aerial duals and tackles. So for £7-10m, are you actually getting a significantly better player? There’s no doubt his half season with Cardiff was a great start but it’s too small a sample to justify spending the sums it would take for him specifically.

Simms has also scored 4 headers which is a good amount and most, if not all of Rudoni’s headed goals have come from the striker occupying 2 CBs and he arrives late in the box. Playing BTA > Simms in the first leg was a mistake imo, said with hindsight ofc.

Even against Sunderland, as bad as Haji Wright played imo, he occupied 2-3 defenders for both Rudoni’s and EMC’s goals. He ‘created’ the space for other players and this doesn’t count as an assist or aerial dual won.

In short, a lot of people are guilty of being willing to chuck baby out with bathwater when it comes to the strikers.

Moving on from the strikers, I’m just v surprised that people are content with the output from our wingers. Sakamoto and EMC have managed 9 goals between them which just isn’t good enough in a formation where we play one striker. EMC probably gets 10+ goals in a full season as he underperformed his xG and played a relatively small amount of minutes (1,635 = about 18.2 games). Sakamoto’s xG in 40+ games was 3.3 which is concerning, tbh. A goal every 700+ minutes from a winger is just not good enough at the top end of the Championship.

Whilst Simms, Haji, BTA, Bassette and EMC all underperformed their xG which is obviously bad but at least they’re in positions to score… Sakamoto just isn’t a dangerous goal threat. It may not seem it, I rate Sakamoto highly but he’s a niche player imo and think he could thrive being an impact role player.

For all the focus on the strikers, the wingers are a higher priority all day. Firstly, we only have 3 contracted for next season (one being Rapha who played 38 minutes all season). More importantly, the goal contributions just haven’t good enough in that formation from wide areas. EMC’s underlying data metrics is a cause for cautious optimism for next season.

Interesting point on Sakamoto raised. Although seemingly was one of our best in the playoffs.

Curiously where would you look to raise funds and target in the summer?

 

[mmttww]

It's getting hard to have a discussion on here because people simply can't follow a thread or make shit up.

Mate, I genuinely think you're arguing with yourself at this point and folks are winding you up deliberately.

 

[TomRad85]

View attachment 43322

Mate, I genuinely think you're arguing with yourself at this point and folks are winding you up deliberately.

Nope I'm sticking with can't keep track of a thread.

 

[SHUNT31]

I think you’d be surprised. The ITK have said Simms is nowhere near highest owner

Depends which one you listen to.

 

[SHUNT31]

you all know simms has the quality, he isnt wright, and he isnt viktor, he isnt godden, he hast to be used to his best attributes, which was again done a couple of seasons ago. Robins prob used him in a different way than lampard expects, and i think saddles said before lamp has been asking him to do things and hes not doing it. but that doesnt take away from the point he does have quality.

Genuinely, what quality? What does he excel at?

 

[SHUNT31]

well lets put it this way, we assume simms is good in the air because hes big, last season (2023/2024) where he scored 13 goals:

2 headers (one of which was from a dropped ball from the GK against rotherham & one from a corner)
2 left foot
8 right foot
1 "other body part" (chest against plymouth)

simms is best used as a poacher, hanging around the 6 yards box and getting the scraps in. if lamp has been asking him to hold up the ball, pass more accurately, and link up play, that isnt what simms does, and its not going to work.

View attachment 43321

He’s dreadful mate. If football was played in the 6 yard box, he might be ok but it’s not. And tbf, I’m not sure that point stands either. He doesn’t move in the box, he literally just stands there. For a team that puts lots of balls in that area, how many does he get on the end of?

What team in the championship would get away with essentially playing with 10 men just to allow a below average finisher to be a poacher in the box.

Best for all parties if he moves on. I’d wager he wouldn’t play for a team above lower end championship level at best.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Salech’s stats for his entire career, there’s a lot of metrics where he’s identical to Simms (fyi - per 90 stats). But with better dribbling, aerial duals and tackles. So for £7-10m, are you actually getting a significantly better player? There’s no doubt his half season with Cardiff was a great start but it’s too small a sample to justify spending the sums it would take for him specifically.

Simms has also scored 4 headers which is a good amount and most, if not all of Rudoni’s headed goals have come from the striker occupying 2 CBs and he arrives late in the box. Playing BTA > Simms in the first leg was a mistake imo, said with hindsight ofc.

Even against Sunderland, as bad as Haji Wright played imo, he occupied 2-3 defenders for both Rudoni’s and EMC’s goals. He ‘created’ the space for other players and this doesn’t count as an assist or aerial dual won.

In short, a lot of people are guilty of being willing to chuck baby out with bathwater when it comes to the strikers.

Moving on from the strikers, I’m just v surprised that people are content with the output from our wingers. Sakamoto and EMC have managed 9 goals between them which just isn’t good enough in a formation where we play one striker. EMC probably gets 10+ goals in a full season as he underperformed his xG and played a relatively small amount of minutes (1,635 = about 18.2 games). Sakamoto’s xG in 40+ games was 3.3 which is concerning, tbh. A goal every 700+ minutes from a winger is just not good enough at the top end of the Championship.

Whilst Simms, Haji, BTA, Bassette and EMC all underperformed their xG which is obviously bad but at least they’re in positions to score… Sakamoto just isn’t a dangerous goal threat. It may not seem it, I rate Sakamoto highly but he’s a niche player imo and think he could thrive being an impact role player.

For all the focus on the strikers, the wingers are a higher priority all day. Firstly, we only have 3 contracted for next season (one being Rapha who played 38 minutes all season). More importantly, the goal contributions just haven’t good enough in that formation from wide areas. EMC’s underlying data metrics is a cause for cautious optimism for next season.

Huh? Haven't quite a lot of posters identified a RW as a priority to directly compete with Sakamoto?

Most will recognise that his output was lacking last season and it's an area to address. EMC I'm less worried about as when he's fit and injury free we've seen the kind of contribution he can offer.

Ultimately though this is a Wright thread so naturally the conversation is going to gravitate towards the strikers.

 

[Domo]

He’s dreadful mate. If football was played in the 6 yard box, he might be ok but it’s not. And tbf, I’m not sure that point stands either. He doesn’t move in the box, he literally just stands there. For a team that puts lots of balls in that area, how many does he get on the end of?

What team in the championship would get away with essentially playing with 10 men just to allow a below average finisher to be a poacher in the box.

Best for all parties if he moves on. I’d wager he wouldn’t play for a team above lower end championship level at best.

hes not had a great season, but its based around how hes been utilised. im not saying we shouldnt move him on, what im saying is the stats dont lie, if frank is asking him to become better with his head, hold up player etc etc, then theyre' barking up the wrong tree, becasue thats not the player he is.

hes not scored since feb (x2) one being a header (gk should have done better) and the second again was a poacher goal from a drop from the Gk.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Interesting point on Sakamoto raised. Although seemingly was one of our best in the playoffs.

Curiously where would you look to raise funds and target in the summer?

He was v good in the playoffs tbf, but the stats over 60+ games for us don’t lie. Sakamoto’s best facets is the defensive side of the game. I have no complaints about his assist either. There needs to be extra star quality in the team and Sakamoto is a solid player but he’s not going to put the team on his back and score goals. His xG over 23/24 and 24/25 was remarkably consistent.

Looking at chances created and assists, you’d expect Rudoni (who over performed his xA) and Sakamoto (5.1 xA) to put up there. Next up, is Torp (4.3 xA) and EMC (5.3 xA) and given the minutes they totalled equated to about half a season of games it shows there’s a gap in chance creation. MVE (5.8 xA) and Grimes (6.6 xA - I assume this covers Swansea spell too) were the only ‘under performers’ here.

On the point about raising funds, it’s a great question. Players like Lati; Bidwell, Eccles/Sheaf, BTA, Collins will raise some funds.

Wright and MVE are saleable assets so for a substantial profit, you’d consider bids for either player. It’s only Rudoni that we’d have to dig in our heels and ask for a ridiculous sum.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Huh? Haven't quite a lot of posters identified a RW as a priority to directly compete with Sakamoto?

Most will recognise that his output was lacking last season and it's an area to address. EMC I'm less worried about as when he's fit and injury free we've seen the kind of contribution he can offer.

Ultimately though this is a Wright thread so naturally the conversation is going to gravitate towards the strikers.

The inclination is that Sakamoto is a guaranteed first choice and a RW is someone to play 2nd fiddle to Sakamoto. Thats how I’ve interpreted things. In my view, we need another winger to come in and get close to 10 goals and a similar amount in assists. Presuming we want to really compete for Top 4 and close to automatics.

Whereas many people on here aren’t saying we need a striker to ‘compete’ with Wright, the sentiment is that we ‘need’ new strikers altogether.

Agree on the EMC numbers, his output was higher than Sakamoto’s with a lot less minutes. It’s a reasonable expectation for EMC to get a ‘double-double’ in goals and assists next season if he stays fit based on this 24/25 data.

 

[SBT]

In my view, we need another winger to come in and get close to 10 goals and a similar amount in assists.

This would be one of the best players in the division!

Not saying no, obviously, but I think we can be an attacking force just by adding some depth at RW, most likely with a more direct/quick option. I’m relaxed about starting next season with Wright/EMC and Tats/backup on either wing.