Bad timing for us, but, when you get players on loan, this is the risk you take. I would like to think the club have a plan to replace Sims and, either down Stewart or bring in 2 or 3 strikers at the same time...which, lets face, is a huge upheaval and could derail our season ( then again, it might not) ....next few weeks will be interesting to say the least.
let's face it here, the club were (we hope) looking at strikers to boost the squad in january so the 'good news' is we should have a couple on the radar. simms could score a goal there is no disputing that but we all noticed how slow he was to react at times and his close control let him down, the lad needs more time before he is thrown in front of premier league defenders...i wish the lad well of course and hope he proves me wrong.
There was a lot of back and forward with Broadhead last summer. We wanted him on a perm I think, with Simms on a loan. Everton gave him a new contract which took everyone by surprise. My guess is at that point we walked away as a loan wasnt what we wanted. I could now see them accepting a fee for a permanent for him as it isnt working out at Wigan it seems. Bit of guesswork but more plausible to me than him saying to Alex Neil, no thanks I cant compete with Ellis Simms so am off to Wigan to compete with Will Keane, Charlie Wyke, Josh Magennis etc. Footballers, in my experience, dont think like that and he had a load of credit in the bank here.
I've heard Jerry Yates mentioned from Blackpool. I'd like to think we have better replacements than him though.
I wonder what Simms feels about having to return. He was getting game time here and scoring goals....personally, I don't think he's ready for the Premier league yet. He was making steady progress here, and having to return to Everton to perhaps make a match day squad at best....I'm not sure Everton have his best interest at heart here. Looks like straw clutching by lampard to me. I think this, like Broadhead going to Wigan, is very shortsighted by Everton, and will actually hinder the two lads career progression....both backward steps in my eyes.
Hes been getting game time here and there but it's been a disappointment season for him since moving up to the Championship and hes done nothing to warrant being a regular for them. He didn't play against us but he started against Boro on Boxing day in his favoured position and ended up being subbed off in another 4-1 defeat. I used to be a big fan of Broadhead and I was gutted he never came back, but with his lack of goals for Wigan this season and his track injury record I think we should steer clear from going back in for him.
£10m is "nowt" but in the last couple of years that £10m got us Ballard, Ba. Alese, Clarke. Hume, Cirkin AND Stewart.
Wigan look shot to bits though....they just don't create enough. Put broadhead in our side, in fact most championship sides, and he would score goals...I'm convinced of it. Wigan....wtf was he thinking.
Agreed. Think it’s been a win/win loan deal. Simms has done his bit covering for LND and weighing in with some goals. Even the fact it allowed Stewart a rest at Wigan means he can start tomorrow, giving the 2 weeks to get another forward or even 2 in. Having said that he is replaceable - I’d have been more worried if Diallo was being recalled by Man Utd. If it doesn’t work out for Simms at Everton am sure we’d be looking at him as a permanent signing in the summer.
I'll believe it when I see it mate, hes never played above League 1 before and I dont think hes worth the risk based off his performances this season. Not to mention his injury record aswell.
As others have said this is unfair on Simms, he is not going to get as many mi used there is he. He is progressing well playing regularly with us, this will stunt his development at least 6 months. Lampard reckons he has had the final say, he is unlikely to play him so he is halting the lads career!
I'm not saying go back in for him, just think he made a bad choice in going to Wigan. Any team that still has Power and McLean starting for them would have alarm bells ringing for me.
Think it’s harsh to judge him on performances for a really poor team. Stewart only scored 2 goals for Ross County the season we signed him. Its all about seeing something in a player that would benefit your team, rather than judging a player based on how they perform for a different team. Broadheads finishing ability is superb but if Wigan are lumping the ball towards him there’s not much he can do is there?
I would 100% take him if he was up for grabs. He’s 21, that’s nothing. Already had a couple of decent loans with Blackpool and Us. Still a lot of learn and develop, got a lot of good signs of a very decent striker, arguably needs to get a little bit more physical, but a great finisher, I don’t think you can teach that IMO
Technically we could get Simms back before the window shuts. Everton have strikers injured, so if they only recalled Simms to cover for them.... But I admit it's a very unlikely possibility Shame, at this level he was only going to get better, not sure,as other people have said, that he's ready for the premier League
Do Wigan actually lump the forward though, have you seen them play much this season? They play with 2 wingers one of which is pretty good (Lang), and Keane never seems short of a goal or 2 for them. Before a very successful albeit injury ravaged loan spell for us his only other club or note was Buton where he scored 2 goals in 19 games. I do like Broadhead, but his injuries have always been a worry and his unconvincing season so far has put me off wanting him back. Just my opinion though.
Yeah probably 5/6 times. Only since Toure came in have they tried to pass the ball, under Richardson their style was shocking. I would be against bringing him in as a direct Simms replacement though I think that would be detrimental.