Ellis Simms (3 Viewers)

[Farmer Jim]

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.

 

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[SkyBlueMatt]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.