Afraid to say that our strike force is not comparable to other teams above and around us. I was always in favour of giving Simpson a chance this season, for me he's had it and hasn't made the most of it. He hasn't scored in 5 games, 3 of the 5 games he scored in we've lost! I hope SB gives Prosser another chance and now that Mr Allam has given the go ahead to bring in a couple of players I hope he goes and gets a proven striker otherwise I think we'll loose games we should win which will seriously hinder our chances of promotion. So for me Simpson (like McLean) works hard but all too often misses chances and therefore isn't good enough... Not worth a new contract based on what I've seen! Just remember Folan, he scored 15 a season and we all thought he wasn't good enough? He's was better than Simmo IMHO! Remember Keith Edwards and Billy Whitehurst, Andy Payton all were way better finishers than our current strikers.
I dont think I would offer him a new contract as it stands now unless there was no one better we could pick up. I wouldnt sit him as I dont think we have anyone better to put in the game. I would give Pro more of a chance by using him a sub more often as I dont think he has looked good enough to start over Simpson. I doubt we can pick up a good striker on loan (dont think we will get campbell) so we will have to deal with what we have I would imagine.
I would renew his contract, he's a very good squad player at this level and more than capable of stepping in for a week or two if a main striker gets a strain or to come of the bench to change things about a bit, but he's not quite up to standard to be first choice for a promotion chasing team I don't think. I think he's lacking confidence a bit at the minute though, when he broke free quite late in the game he pulled a bit wide to avoid any chance of a challenge then slowed down a bit and the defender got in front from some way behind him and stole the ball, when he was on song earlier in the season he'd have been running straight for that goal full pelt no matter what. I don't think we've seen the best of him yet by a long shot but if we really want to get promoted this season we don't have the time to persist with an out of form striker who's really still finding his feet in the game.
Simpson is a great asset but just needs to work on his finishing. He works hard, links up well with those around him, when he's not offside he makes decent runs, but he's turning into an 8 chances per goal striker and that's not clinical enough. I'm sure he'll work hard at it and improve over the duration of the Season as he clearly has great resolve if he kept fighting for a place every Season despite being stuck in limbo with both Pearson and Barmby.
1. Yes, Simpson scored 3 times in games that we've lost, but how is that relevant? He can only beat the keeper in front of him, it's not fault if the defense can't keep out the opposing strikers. I'm pretty sure Fryatt has scored plenty of times in games in which we've lost but no one applies that argument to him. 2. Proschwitz got a chance from a bench and took it. He was then started for the next game and we put in our worst attacking performance of the season. Of course there's 11 players on the pitch and it's not all down to him but still, it showed how much we missed Simmo and Aluko when they were dropped. 3. Putting aside the fact that Simmo misses decent chances whilst McLean misses absolute sitters, Fryatt takes 5-6 one-on-ones to score, so again I don't think that's fair. And finally just as a general point - We need to stop expecting the same type of thing from Fryatt and Simpson. Although they're both poachers, they're totally different players. Fryatt misses more chances, but mainly because he gets himself into those positions more often. But then Simpson is faster, and keeps up with attacks where Fryatt may not necessarily even reach the box to support a speedy breakaway from a winger. And also, how often does Fryatt set up goals, or contribute to the build-up? For example, does anyone think that the Simpson-Aluko combination for the first goal vs Bristol would have happened if it was Fryatt-Aluko instead? Oh, and Folan only ever scored 11 goals for us, so I'm pretty sure he didn't score 15 in one season (Edit) I can only remember him scoring 3 in the PL (1st day vs Fulham + 2 vs Pompey under Dowie) so he must have only scored 8 in the Championship.
Ricardo - I don't appreciate your comments about Etuhu, pls remove them, very poor to hear this from you plus you're a mod.
Whitehurst wasn't a natural finisher, it took him a while.. but he was a completely different kettle of fish from Simpson/Mclean. I agree Edwards & Payton were 2 of our best ever though & only Fryatt is approaching that type of league along with Deano, Campbell for a short spell, Alexander for a season, Waggy, Chillo, Stu Pearson & possibly Duane Darby. Geovanni if you classify him as a striker also.
I may be mistaken but he never mentioned Fryatt nor compared Simpson to him in that post. Simpson has 4 league goals, Faye has 3 and he is in Defense. His point was that he doesnt think Simpson is good enough, hopes that we give Pro another chance and get someone in. Only your first point is valid. I think the team has done well, clearly we are in the top 6. I would take top 6 without hesitation at the end of the season. Still, we are a top 5 team and we do not have a top 10 striker. ****, if the bbc list would go further we may not have a top 20 striker. That is a problem. Can we make the top 6 with Simpson, yea we can. Would it be easier with a striker that could score more often? Yes. Of course Simpson could come out and get 3 or 4 in the next 4 games completely change the numbers and turn out to be great for us. He may be one of those strikers that gets his goals in bursts.
I almost put "I know you didn't mention Fryatt, but..." at the end, but for whatever reason decided against it. Either way, the general consensus on this board is that we're missing Fryatt up top and I perceived Jobbo's post as suggesting that Simpson isn't good enough whilst someone like Fryatt would be. If my perception is wrong, every point I've made is still valid in the overall discussion of strikers and they were posted with the expectation that posters other than Jobbo would get involved. Even then, I only mentioned Fryatt for the first time midway through my third point so I don't quite understand why you think only my first is valid. "Would it be easier with a striker that could score more often? Yes." ... nothing gets past you, does it?
It does seem to be the general consensus. Fryatt may be what we are missing but then again perhaps Simpson does give us different dimensions that Fryatt would not. I dont know how many assists Simpson has or relevant points to his game. I thought the second wasnt that valid because he was not debating Pro's performance just hoping that he was given another chance. Your point is more than valid directed to others, perhaps myself but it didnt seem fair to him. You know more than I do about the team, I dont deny that. ""Would it be easier with a striker that could score more often? Yes." ... nothing gets past you, does it?" I know that statement was obvious it just seems that people get defensive of players they like. McLean for instance who works hard out but does little else. I meant that as no matter how much someone likes Simpson, if we can get a better striker than we should.
I know what you meant, I was just being a sarcastic little twat I'm probably too defensive with Simpson and it's likely that I overrate him - mainly because I was banging the drum for 2 years for him to be given a proper run in the team and want to be proven right - which to an extent I have been. However, I have to admit that he'd probably be best as a rotation option who gets occasional 5-6 game runs in the team when in good form, but is otherwise used as an impact sub. But he should certainly be ahead of McLean. If Elmo is ever missing I wouldn't mind seeing: Amos Rosenior Chester Hobbs Dawson (or new LB) Evans Quinn Koren Aluko Proschwitz Simpson The idea being primarily 4-3-3, with Quinn and Aluko moving into the channels when Prossy and Simpson were cutting through the inside. Either I'm talking out of my arse or I'm an expert tactitian.
This argument's funny because people just seem to make up their own stats depending on whether they prefer Simpson or Fryatt.
The protection goal keepers get is just ridiculous, why should they have more protection and get free kicks every time someone goes near them? If anything they should have less protection! They can use their hands for god sake.
I do my best to base everything on what I see but as I like Simpson and am not keen on Fryatt, I'm more likely to notice good play from Simmo and notice poor play by Fryatt... and vice-versa for any Fryatt lovers. My point is it's not all about the goals - he hasn't scored for 5 games but most people on here are still saying that he's playing very well.
I think the team needs freshening up and I would start Proschwitz with Aluko but I think Brucey will stick with Simpson
