Coventry City manager Frank Lampard has explained what he wants to see from striker Ellis Simms amid a frustrating spell over the lack of first-team football.
The Sky Blues currently occupy the last play-off spot, and are unbeaten in the Championship this season.
However, one-time Everton prospect Simms has suffered as a consequence, with Lampard opting for a 4-2-3-1 system, which has seen Haji Wright start all five second-tier games.
The USA international has scored six goals in seven games, meaning Simms will have to be patient to get his chance to impress.
The 24-year-old signed from Premier League side Everton for a hefty fee in 2023 and has since gone on to make over 100 appearances at the club. His only goal of this season was scored against now League One side Luton Town in the Carabao Cup, in one of his only two starts this season.
Impact Off The Bench
Simms did get a chance to impress off the bench against Norwich City last weekend, a game in which fellow striker Wright scored a late 96th-minute equaliser to keep the Sky Blues’ unbeaten record alive.
The former England Under-20 international played a part in this late equaliser, his attempt being pushed into the path of Wright by Norwich City keeper Vladan Kovacevic.
Speaking to Coventry Live about Simms’ impact off the bench against Norwich, Lampard said:
“It’s what Ellis has to do because he hasn’t played much, but we generally play with one nine, and Haji’s scored six goals already. You know, that is the job of a number nine and sometimes if they compete with each other and when you come on and impact like that with the different style that maybe Ellis has, which is to be powerful to run behind
“And yeah, he did well, and that’s what we need. We talked about it in the press conference on Friday and said we haven’t got huge numbers at the top end of the pitch like some other squads, so every player needs to feel valued and come on and impact. And I thought Ellis did that.”
Writer’s View
Although Simms was touted as an exceptional young player when he made the move to the Midlands, he hasn’t quite lived up to the reported £8 million price tag; however, injuries have played a big part in this.
Although he is a good player, it’s clear to see why strike partner Wright is getting the game time with his impressive scoring records, and why he is going to have to be patient for playing time.
