Ellis Simms the goalscoring hero for Sunderland again

26/12/2022 15comments  |  Jump to last

Ellis Simms came off the bench to score the 91st-minute winner for Sunderland as the Black Cats came from behind to snatch all 3 points against Blackburn Rovers. 

He has continued to show he knows just where the goal is, despite not getting full games just yet, possibly because of recent injury problems. 

 

Reader Comments (15)

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James Flynn
1 Posted 26/12/2022 at 17:14:25
Well, one year left on his contract, hope he at least gets a chance next season.

Cool and calm:

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/35322645

Link is slow but it opens.

Tony Hill
3 Posted 26/12/2022 at 20:06:58
Good goal by Ellis Simms.
Jon Harding
4 Posted 27/12/2022 at 16:29:16
Sadly, I suspect he'll be scoring again in the Championship next season – for us!
Phill Thompson
5 Posted 27/12/2022 at 21:54:22
I'd recorded the Sunderland game so watched the injury time! It was a very composed bit of play from Simms, much more than “just a toe-poke” reported somewhere.

I think he's scored 3 in his past 5 games and he's certainly adding a bit of variety to his goal-scoring, it's nice to see.

Dupont Koo
6 Posted 27/12/2022 at 00:11:36
Folks, here's the 2 minute rapid-fire highlight on the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUmhdvIXFrs

As Phill said, a composed finish by Simms.

My Sunderland mates, however, have been indifferent with Simms's performance as a whole. Not enough workrate according to their standard (they worship defensive forwards who would run their socks off, like Stracqualursi & Marcus Bent probably more than we do!), subpar first touches ("the ball would bounce off him for 5 yards at least") and not physical enough.

Given the injuries, and being Simms's first full season at Championship level, I would remain patient with him. Though I am happy that, as James mentioned, he is 18 months away from his contract expiring.

Any progress would either mean: 1) Thelwell and his team have a bigger sample size to better determine how much closer he is to the first team and whether that warrants a new contract, or 2) his value is pumped up for a sale this coming summer.

A win-win for us, regardless.

Jeff Armstrong
7 Posted 28/12/2022 at 07:56:47
Dupont, those traits remind me of a certain Romelu Lukaku.
Robert Tressell
8 Posted 28/12/2022 at 08:49:23
Just watched the Simms goal. It was a very clever finish – creating space in a crowded box and then guiding the ball home very precisely.

Many of his goals are high-quality finishes. He's always been a good finisher – it's the overall play and work rate that's the issue (similar to Lukaku but not in his league, Jeff).

If we were a properly run club, we'd already have established players and prospects at the club who are better than him. Since we're a badly run club, we don't.

I am still hopeful that we sign someone with some quality and the physical attributes we need (how slow was Maupay when he had that run on goal v Wolves?).

That will allow us to assess him with clearer heads at the end of the season.

Peter Hodgson
9 Posted 29/12/2022 at 16:37:06
I concur with your Sunderland mates Dupont as I've been watching Simms during his various loan spells and Yes he is a classy finisher when he is in the mood and works as he should do.

He gives me the distinct impression that he only puts the effort in when he feels in the mood and that is why I imagine he has been sent out on loan so much – even when we have been so desperate in that department.

To be a competent centre-forward in the Premier League, he needs to work harder every time he is on the pitch and he hasn't shown any appetite to do that when I have seen him. He could do it if he wanted to though.

Dave Abrahams
10 Posted 29/12/2022 at 20:51:35
Peter (9),

He scored another goal tonight and made another chance for a Sunderland player who hit the bar with a tremendous shot but the faults you illustrated were all there in the 20 minutes I watched in the first half. Looks good at times then at others he looks half asleep and lazy with a distinct lack of fight and effort.

Someone close to him should tell him there's millions to be made playing football these days but it doesn't come easy, you have to be alert and ready every minute you are on the field – not now and again.

He'll earn a good living out of the game the way he is but the chances are there for him to be a millionaire if he puts a lot more into his game.

Dave Abrahams
11 Posted 29/12/2022 at 21:16:27
He has just been substituted not long after the hour mark.
James Flynn
12 Posted 30/12/2022 at 06:18:24
Simms's goal and pass to teammate who hit the bar:

Link

Dave Abrahams
13 Posted 30/12/2022 at 10:36:34
James (12),

Is Keane who scored for Wigan the brother of Michael Keane? They don't look alike but I've got it in my head they are brothers, he has a few for Wigan this season.

John Raftery
14 Posted 30/12/2022 at 10:59:38
Dave, yes, they are twin brothers.
Dave Abrahams
15 Posted 30/12/2022 at 11:03:52
John (14),

Thanks, what do think of a straight swap or even play Michael KeAne upfront for us while he's doing nothing at present, although I think he will be gone not long after 1 January.

John Raftery
16 Posted 30/12/2022 at 11:18:49
Hi Dave,

We desperately need a forward who can offer a physical presence and notch a few goals. In other words, someone not necessarily brilliant but one who can do a job. Michael Keane has shown he can pop a few goals in and has a centre-forward's physique.

I suspect however any suggestion he might start up front would be seen by the player and his manager as an admission of failure. That said, it might be a better option in the final minutes of matches than sending on an untried youngster.

As Michael Keane didn't feature on Monday, when we had one centre-half ineligible and another injured, I assume he is on his way out.

A player with Premier League experience who might do a job for us and who might be affordable and available is Chris Wood at Newcastle. He has hardly had a game this season.


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