What Sammon Brings

[CarlMcBlade]

It not just about Sammons lack of ability in the air. We also need a striker with a presence in the opposition penalty area. Someone who doesn't drift all over the park and someone who gives big centre backs a physical problem to overcome. For a big lad Sammon does get bullied quite a lot.

 

[sheffielder]

It not just about Sammons lack of ability in the air. We also need a striker with a presence in the opposition penalty area. Someone who doesn't drift all over the park and someone who gives big centre backs a physical problem to overcome. For a big lad Sammon does get bullied quite a lot.

It's almost bizarre. He's probably the most well built guy in football. His shoulders are huge, yet he gets bullied all the time.

 

[west_yorks_blade]

Salmon's 'big man up front ' predecessors- Higdon and Paynter were also a pair of giant light weight Nancy boys.

It's bizarre.

 

[wizadry]

Salmon's 'big man up front ' predecessors- Higdon and Paynter were also a pair of giant light weight Nancy boys.

It's bizarre.

Yes, we'll end up with David Walliams upfront for us next.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

A new range of handbags have appeared in the club shop. . . . .All with squad number 18 on them.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I disagree that it doesn't matter that he's not good in the air, and that most tall people aren't. He's severely lacking there, and we miss someone who is able to do it. The idea that we'd be worse if it were our player knocking the ball on rather than theirs is a strange one to me.

Not most, some but anyway...

As I see it we are not set up for Big Man/Little Man flick on and chase after it. Our midfield is disconnected enough as it is without having Billy disappear even further up the pitch - and in the meantime knackering himself out to little or no effect.

Instead the player we need is someone who can hold it up wait (and wait and wait) for the midfield to (eventually) catch up, then lay it off and we can try and play football as a team from there. Conor Sammon is that player.

(He's also relatively agile, has good stamina and can harass defences for the duration of a game so they don't settle.)

He was extremely good at all this earlier in the season: the ball would stick to various parts of his anatomy, sometimes bizarrely, and he'd bring the rest of the team into the game with a good, well-timed short pass, often in a tight area.

As for the general challenging for headers it seems to me that one aspect of modern football is to not challenge too strongly for some headers and instead basically let the opposition win the ball but have an overload on the second ball so they win the header but you win possession. I'm not saying this happens all the time, of course it doesn't, but it seems like one way the game has developed. There are definitely times when the ball is headed in midfield and one team simply doesn't challenge for it. In the meantime older, grumpier fans are shouting, "Challenge!!"

I've got the Secret Footballer's Guide to the Modern Game hoping to further unravel some of the mysteries for me. The game has moved on in all sorts of ways since I learned it as a kid and played as a grown up. I think this business of not bothering so much with some headers might be one of them.

Without Sammon (or similar) playing well we've got:

• Done making random runs, but not gaining possession - as quoted in OP (and predicted before the game) - adding to the pressure on our back line (but carrying a goal threat)
• Adams - for now imo a bit out of his depth - not keeping possession, not really defending from the front but more positively often looking most on Billy's wavelength and sometimes carrying a goal threat
• Baxter as suggested on here and tried on Satdi with apparently limited effect

Support Sammon, get him confident again, and working at what works for us and we'll make the play-offs.

UTMB

 

[CarlMcBlade]

The Conor Sammon invitational XI
1 Alan Carr GK
2 Charles Haughty RB
3 Kenneth Williams LB
4 David Walliams CM
5 Graham Norton CB
6 Quentin Crisp CB
7 Dick Emery (Nippy winger)
8 Frank Spencer CM
9 Danny la Rue (fox in the box)
10 Julian Clary (In the hole)
11 Louis Spencer (nippy winger)
12 Connor Sammon (on the bench)

 

[DronnieBlade]

Not most, some but anyway...

As I see it we are not set up for Big Man/Little Man flick on and chase after it. Our midfield is disconnected enough as it is without having Billy disappear even further up the pitch - and in the meantime knackering himself out to little or no effect.

Instead the player we need is someone who can hold it up wait (and wait and wait) for the midfield to (eventually) catch up, then lay it off and we can try and play football as a team from there. Conor Sammon is that player.

(He's also relatively agile, has good stamina and can harass defences for the duration of a game so they don't settle.)

He was extremely good at all this earlier in the season: the ball would stick to various parts of his anatomy, sometimes bizarrely, and he'd bring the rest of the team into the game with a good, well-timed short pass, often in a tight area.

As for the general challenging for headers it seems to me that one aspect of modern football is to not challenge too strongly for some headers and instead basically let the opposition win the ball but have an overload on the second ball so they win the header but you win possession. I'm not saying this happens all the time, of course it doesn't, but it seems like one way the game has developed. There are definitely times when the ball is headed in midfield and one team simply doesn't challenge for it. In the meantime older, grumpier fans are shouting, "Challenge!!"

I've got the Secret Footballer's Guide to the Modern Game hoping to further unravel some of the mysteries for me. The game has moved on in all sorts of ways since I learned it as a kid and played as a grown up. I think this business of not bothering so much with some headers might be one of them.

Without Sammon (or similar) playing well we've got:

• Done making random runs, but not gaining possession - as quoted in OP (and predicted before the game) - adding to the pressure on our back line (but carrying a goal threat)
• Adams - for now imo a bit out of his depth - not keeping possession, not really defending from the front but more positively often looking most on Billy's wavelength and sometimes carrying a goal threat
• Baxter as suggested on here and tried on Satdi with apparently limited effect

Support Sammon, get him confident again, and working at what works for us and we'll make the play-offs.

UTMB

Ok sparky I'll bite.

Sammon could best be described, as having had a journeyman career moving from club to club regularly and never really settling anywhere. This suggests that he gets a move, falls out of favour and moves (or is moved) on. Why is this ? Confidence or no confidence, this is what appears to be happening to his career as a Blade.

He has a shocking goal scoring record for CF / striker. I am not 100% sure about assists but reckon this is just as shocking.

His abilities as a target man or outlet ( or whatever you wanna call it) appear limited at best and for an intimidating hills have eyes fucker, I'm not sure he could knock the skin off a rice pudding !!

So my question is this.

Are you Sammons brother ??

UTB

 

[Ashtonsmashton]

What salmon brings?

Shit all

F******* useless

 

[wizadry]

Ok sparky I'll bite.

Sammon could best be described, as having had a journeyman career moving from club to club regularly and never really settling anywhere. This suggests that he gets a move, falls out of favour and moves (or is moved) on. Why is this ? Confidence or no confidence, this is what appears to be happening to his career as a Blade.

He has a shocking goal scoring record for CF / striker. I am not 100% sure about assists but reckon this is just as shocking.

His abilities as a target man or outlet ( or whatever you wanna call it) appear limited at best and for an intimidating hills have eyes fucker, I'm not sure he could knock the skin off a rice pudding !!

So my question is this.

Are you Sammons brother ??

UTB

Great post, mate.

 

[west_yorks_blade]

The Conor Sammon invitational XI
1 Alan Carr GK
2 Charles Haughty RB
3 Kenneth Williams LB
4 David Walliams CM
5 Graham Norton CB
6 Quentin Crisp CB
7 Dick Emery (Nippy winger)
8 Frank Spencer CM
9 Danny la Rue (fox in the box)
10 Julian Clary (In the hole)
11 Louis Spencer (nippy winger)
12 Connor Sammon (on the bench)

Julian clarey in the hole. Mega lols.

I bet he'd be great at deep tackles in the box too.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Ok sparky I'll bite.

Sammon could best be described, as having had a journeyman career moving from club to club regularly and never really settling anywhere. This suggests that he gets a move, falls out of favour and moves (or is moved) on. Why is this ? Confidence or no confidence, this is what appears to be happening to his career as a Blade.

He has a shocking goal scoring record for CF / striker. I am not 100% sure about assists but reckon this is just as shocking.

His abilities as a target man or outlet ( or whatever you wanna call it) appear limited at best and for an intimidating hills have eyes fucker, I'm not sure he could knock the skin off a rice pudding !!

So my question is this.

Are you Sammons brother ??

UTB

No WHF is his agent . One step ahead of the game .

UTB

 

[metalblade]

Feck me Sammon makes Chris Guthrie of old look like the complete centre forward. He reminds me of the bit in the middle of a pin ball table the way the ball bounces off him, even Nick Montgomery had a better first touch. Trust me this guy will go down in the annals of Sheffield United history as worse than Kevin Notman, Michael Twiss and Jonathan fookin Hunt. He is without a doubt utter shite.

 

[wizadry]

Feck me Sammon makes Chris Guthrie of old look like the complete centre forward. He reminds me of the bit in the middle of a pin ball table the way the ball bounces off him, even Nick Montgomery had a better first touch. Trust me this guy will go down in the annals of Sheffield United history as worse than Kevin Notman, Michael Twiss and Jonathan fookin Hunt. He is without a doubt utter shite.

So, just to clarify, you don't rate him then

 

[Snowman]

So, just to clarify, you don't rate him then

Ive seen optimists, blind optimists and over confident fools, but FFS WHF you take the biscuit for a clapping seal honking a positive horn when it comes to Sammon's "abilities"

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Sammon could best be described, as having had a journeyman career moving from club to club regularly and never really settling anywhere

I'd interpret these stats differently.

This suggests that he gets a move, falls out of favour and moves (or is moved) on. Why is this ?

Given the above, no case to answer m'lud.

He has a shocking goal scoring record for CF / striker.

But as he's not a goalscorer his goalscoring record is not at issue. There are plenty of forwards who have been similarly, and unreasonably, criticised.

After only scoring twice in his opening sixteen games for the club, Sammon was criticised by fans for a lack of goals, however Clough said he was happy with Sammon, stating the his work-rate was keeping him the starting line-up ahead of Nathan Tysonwho had a better strike rate.[28] His style of play meant that he frequently held up the ball and provided and assists for teammates. Clough particularly praised his "absolutely superb" performance in the 2–1 win against Ipswich Town on 23 October, where he provided assists for Theo Robinson and Tyson.[29]

I am not 100% sure about assists but reckon this is just as shocking.

This is just a made up non-statistic. Here's a unicorn to go with it.

His abilities as a target man or outlet ( or whatever you wanna call it) appear limited at best

Trapattoni suggested that Sammon and his Derby team-mate Jeff Hendrick should be playing in the Premier League: "they play Championship, and I have to ask why when I see the games in the Premier League and the way they play with us. Quality is quality."[

an intimidating hills have eyes fucker, I'm not sure he could knock the skin off a rice pudding !!

Not his job.

Aisi:

1. He's being criticised (in the main) for not doing things he's not meant to do.
2. His strong points and usefulness to the way we play are not being recognised.

This is to the detriment of the club.

UTMB

 

[Harry's Game]

The Conor Sammon invitational XI
1 Alan Carr GK
2 Charles Haughty RB
3 Kenneth Williams LB
4 David Walliams CM
5 Graham Norton CB
6 Quentin Crisp CB
7 Dick Emery (Nippy winger)
8 Frank Spencer CM
9 Danny la Rue (fox in the box)
10 Julian Clary (In the hole)
11 Louis Spencer (nippy winger)
12 Connor Sammon (on the bench)

Managed by Louis Walsh.. "You made that fourth choice Centre Forward place yer own"

 

[wizadry]

View attachment 15514

I'd interpret these stats differently.



Given the above, no case to answer m'lud.



But as he's not a goalscorer his goalscoring record is not at issue. There are plenty of forwards who have been similarly, and unreasonably, criticised.

After only scoring twice in his opening sixteen games for the club, Sammon was criticised by fans for a lack of goals, however Clough said he was happy with Sammon, stating the his work-rate was keeping him the starting line-up ahead of Nathan Tysonwho had a better strike rate.[28] His style of play meant that he frequently held up the ball and provided and assists for teammates. Clough particularly praised his "absolutely superb" performance in the 2–1 win against Ipswich Town on 23 October, where he provided assists for Theo Robinson and Tyson.[29]



This is just a made up non-statistic. Here's a unicorn to go with it.

View attachment 15515



Trapattoni suggested that Sammon and his Derby team-mate Jeff Hendrick should be playing in the Premier League: "they play Championship, and I have to ask why when I see the games in the Premier League and the way they play with us. Quality is quality."[



View attachment 15512 View attachment 15513

Not his job.

Aisi:

1. He's being criticised (in the main) for not doing things he's not meant to do.
2. His strong points and usefulness to the way we play are not being recognised.

This is to the detriment of the club.

UTMB

Essay after essay to defend Connor Sammon. Sometimes players have to deserve defending, he has shown a lack of effort and desire on a number of occasions to shove your millions of words up the kybosh. Maybe Clough playing him over Tyson who scored more goals was the reason they didn't score enough to go up, although I do admit that could theoretically all be bullshit just like all your posts on the subject.

 

[PeteBlade]

A striker who isn't judged on his striking abilities.

What's his assists record? Or do we not count that either?

What DO we count?

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

What does Sammon bring?

Probably the mint imperials for the coach on away trips, apart from that...

 

[Revolution]

A striker who isn't judged on his striking abilities.

What's his assists record? Or do we not count that either?

What DO we count?

This always gets my goat. Last season it was "Oh, it's not Flynn/Scougall/Coutts/Davies/Basham's job to score or assist"

Whose job is it then? Someone has to score goals.

I think people sometimes forget what the aim of the game is.

 

[DronnieBlade]

View attachment 15514

I'd interpret these stats differently.



Given the above, no case to answer m'lud.



But as he's not a goalscorer his goalscoring record is not at issue. There are plenty of forwards who have been similarly, and unreasonably, criticised.

After only scoring twice in his opening sixteen games for the club, Sammon was criticised by fans for a lack of goals, however Clough said he was happy with Sammon, stating the his work-rate was keeping him the starting line-up ahead of Nathan Tysonwho had a better strike rate.[28] His style of play meant that he frequently held up the ball and provided and assists for teammates. Clough particularly praised his "absolutely superb" performance in the 2–1 win against Ipswich Town on 23 October, where he provided assists for Theo Robinson and Tyson.[29]



This is just a made up non-statistic. Here's a unicorn to go with it.

View attachment 15515



Trapattoni suggested that Sammon and his Derby team-mate Jeff Hendrick should be playing in the Premier League: "they play Championship, and I have to ask why when I see the games in the Premier League and the way they play with us. Quality is quality."[



View attachment 15512 View attachment 15513

Not his job.

Aisi:

1. He's being criticised (in the main) for not doing things he's not meant to do.
2. His strong points and usefulness to the way we play are not being recognised.

This is to the detriment of the club.

UTMB

That's me sold.

Give him a 3 year deal.

UTB

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I didn't go but it sounds like we missed Sammon today. Saw these two in another thread.





This has happened to us in other games, the most obvious was Bradford away - I think. On that day we brought on Sammon and he changed the game by occupying their defenders. He'd done it before and he's done it since and not always as a sub.

This is one of the things he brings to the game.

Today Adkins said in his interview he put on Baxter to try to get on the ball and play Sharp in, worth a try but again it sounds like it didn't work. Sammon has done this job numerous times this season: holding up the ball releasing pressure and bringing things together.

We're missing him. I'm guessing he's low on confidence in part bc he's the latest scapegoat.

I hope he gets his confidence back because we need him.

Worth noting how he changed the game at Walsall too. Baxter’s goal came from Sammon pressuring their centre half into making a poor clearance. He does that a lot even if he’s not good at actually winning the headers.


Off the top of my head, Chesterfield (H), Peterborough (A), Bradford (A), Walsall (A), Bradford (H) Sammon has had good games and been a big part of our attacking threat or has changed the game when he has come on. Those that suggest he offers nothing and are seeking to make him a figure of fun are just being ridiculous and clearly have very short memories. Cresswell used to get dog’s abuse as well until he was replaced by Porter, who got dogs abuse til he was replaced by Higdon who got dogs abuse til he was replaced by Sammon. I think some just have an extremely unrealistic view of how good 3rd tier target men are. Some called for Hanson recently but if we signed him, I guarantee he would become the target of abuse for a large section of our fanbase.

Sammon's body language has visibly changed since he started getting the ironic cheers when he wins a header or gets subbed. He looked like he was enjoying his football earlier in the season. Now he doesn't. I hope he can get back to his best.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

We are missing Sammon? Really?
Wow
Just how far has this club fallen

Low enough that when he doesn’t play, we lose to a Crewe side who hadn’t won a game since God was a lad.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

if we had played the ball on the deck, as we did more after Baxter came on, instead on lumping up to a 6 4 centre half Sharp and Done might have caused more problems.

But if the opposition press our defence and midfield, we’re not capable of playing out from the back and at times need to go longer or in the channels. Having Sammon on the pitch often gives us that outball at least to an extent. Of course there is room for improvement but those who just deride him and suggest he offers nothing clearly don’t understand the game of football.


Against Peterborough recently I recall McEveley being pressed deep in the LB position and had nowhere to go with the ball. He therefore just hit the channel down the left and Sammon was making the run before he shaped to do it, got across his man and won a corner. A lot of people don’t remember those sorts of contributions.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I can't understand why people are still thinking sammon brings some thing to our side.

He simply isn't good enough we got him to add strength and physical aspect to the game he adds neither.

He can't hold the ball up because his first touch is shocking. He can't keep the ball at his feet at all he is utter useless. He can't win the ball in the air despite been 6 foot 2 and jumps far to early. For people to say to play to his strengths and play it him on the floor is totally useless, the whole point in him been in the team is to add the aspect of been able to lump it up to him and hope he can hold it up for us. If we are going to play it into his feet why not just stick with sharp as he is just as strong as sammon and has a lot better control of the ball as he has shown.

I agree he has had a couple of decent matches the best match he had for me was Peterbrough away, where yes he looked good and played good but the be all and end all is he is simply not good enough and doesn't add the aspects of the game we want him to.

Simply get rid!

Because unfortunately, we only have one of Billy Sharp and if he is doing the “target man” role, he doesn’t carry nearly the same goal threat. Look how he struggled when he was playing alongside Adams as an example (1 goal in 10 was it?). If we had 2 of him, I would agree but this thread isn’t suggesting Sammon over Sharp, it’s suggesting Sammon to get the best out of Sharp.

 

[Revolution]

Because unfortunately, we only have one of Billy Sharp and if he is doing the “target man” role, he doesn’t carry nearly the same goal threat. Look how he struggled when he was playing alongside Adams as an example (1 goal in 10 was it?). If we had 2 of him, I would agree but this thread isn’t suggesting Sammon over Sharp, it’s suggesting Sammon to get the best out of Sharp.

Sharp has scored in his last 6 league games. How many times has Sammon been involved in creating the goal? Never? Once?

 

[1danewhitehouse]

If you honestly think sammon is good enough for us then I think you have been watching some thing totally different to me.

He is taking a wage some one else could be getting that could be doing a much better job.

He is meant to be the big man up front and offer us a outlet of been able to lump it up front if needs be and him to hold the ball up. He doesn't do this as he can't win the ball in the air at all and hardly ever even attempts to jump and when he does he jumps far to early. His first touch is appalling and he can't hold the ball up so what is he adding to the team?

The term “good enough” gets thrown around a lot in this forum and used as if it is part of a factual statement. In reality it is (a) subjective and (b) dependant on many variables. Coutts has often looked not good enough but in a team with the right balance and the right mentality he has looked our best player at times recently.


I’m sure there were probably better options than Sammon in the market. I’m sure there were also worse ones. The point isn’t that Sammon is the best target man we could ever hope to have, it’s that he’s the best player of his type that we have at the club now and that he does bring something to the team and at times, when he isn’t playing, he might be missed. That being said, I think there are instances where Done is more effective. For example, against Peterborough, when they were pissing about with it at the back, I remember thinking “if only we had Done’s pressing and pace he would surely capitalise”. I’m not saying it should always be Sammon and Sharp and that Sammon is the best target man we could ever hope to sign. Just that he has a part to play and doesn’t deserve to be the subject of ridicule.

 

[BushBlade]

Sammon is unfortunate in that he's ungainly and looks worse than he is, and misses good opportunities in front of goal. Even at his best he was always likely to divide the support a bit.
The bloke is an experienced footballer so he is going to make a contribution. He wouldn't have played as many games as he has if he was literally 'useless'.
Don't judge him on his best game or his worst. Or let the fact he plays like a small child chasing a butterfly detract from his contribution.
He's not as shit as some make him out to be but I'm not convinced he's good enough for a promotion winning side.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Sharp has scored in his last 6 league games. How many times has Sammon been involved in creating the goal? Never? Once?

Well, he wasn't on the pitch for 4 or 5 of them. He should have been awarded a pen first half v Peterborough though before Sharp won the one he scored himself.

But it's not just about direct assists. The point is that if Sharp is always having to receive the ball, play with his back to goal and do all of the dirty work, he spends less time higher up the pitch in and around the box. Edwards was complaining about how deep Sharp was having to come for the ball v Wigan for most of the game. When Sammon plays, Sharp plays a different role which means he spends more time in and around the box.