Sammon: Big lad with no aerial ability?

[shorehamstreet1990]

I like the lad. I think he puts a shift in when asked to, but for the life of me I can't understand why he seems to be useless with his head. Missed a sitter, missed a near post header that led to their goal, and more than one or two ironic cheers came up when he won some headers.

Or am I misreading him, and he's better at holding up the ball, and even has one or two skills in the locker?

Potential to be a really good L1 striker if he was good with his head..

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Does being big automatically mean you have to be good at heading?

 

[shorehamstreet1990]

Fair point. Might be just my perception, but I'd expect him to be the target man in the box for crosses as a big striker.

 

[RMBlade]

more than one or two ironic cheers came up when he won some headers.

I believe the cheers were for him actually leaving the floor to try and win the header.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

I believe the cheers were for him actually leaving the floor to try and win the header.

Yeah, I don't think heading is one of his attributes - but there is a perceived lack of willingness to contest them, which is where the frustration of the crowd comes from (although this could be shown a hell of a lot better).

The only time we rely on headers are from goal kicks and corners. Because of his height, particularity from goal kicks, he comes under more scrutiny more often.

 

[Woodwardfan]

My view is that he has no natural ball sense. His timing of jumps is awful but it's not just in the air, he mistimes the ball a lot on the ground, particularly the ball going across him - anybody remember the missed tap-in at the Kop end v Bury was it?

However, the lad tries his best and all credit to him for knocking that one in yesterday after his horror miss in the first half - that took bottle.

All players are human beings and cannot help but be affected by crowd attitudes. They don't sign themselves at clubs and they don't pick their own place in the team.

Sammon's career goal record is appalling in England and fairly modest in Scotland and Ireland. He has never been any different but our manager judged that he could perform at this level presumably. In his way he does perform but we need someone better if we are to challenge for automatic promotion after such a bad first half to the season. Sammon can do no more than his best and doesn't deserve the treatment the crowd gave him yesterday and even previous games. It's counter-productive.

 

[RMBlade]

The only time we rely on headers are from goal kicks

It was quite strange with the goal kicks we were aiming for Woolford to start with who had the beating of their right back (not sure of his name but no. 2).

Then Sammon came on and Long started aiming for him, the players must think he is somewhat decent in the air... or Long's kicking ability declined quickly

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I like the lad. I think he puts a shift in when asked to, but for the life of me I can't understand why he seems to be useless with his head. Missed a sitter, missed a near post header that led to their goal, and more than one or two ironic cheers came up when he won some headers.

Or am I misreading him, and he's better at holding up the ball, and even has one or two skills in the locker?

Potential to be a really good L1 striker if he was good with his head..

There's another thread here http://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?threads/sammon-when-played-to-on-the-deck.43799/

This is the OP

is actually a really good player, tonight he was faultless when we started to pass to him. It was good to see the Sammon and Sharp partnership working again tonight.
I have to ask why we ever started to chip the ball to him as he's just not very good in the air, while a bit bizarre for a big man, he is simply a rubbish header of the ball.
We have got to play to his strengths and that's passing on the deck to him, he has a nice touch and can layoff the ball to team mates really well.

Sammon's strength is not aerial. That's not what he's in the team for. He holds it up and passes it on - in a way he's not that different from Billy. He won the ball and played Billy in on the floor for the sitter he (Sammon) missed. Someone else posted - in yet another thread I think - that he wants the ball anywhere between chest and feet. I agree. He can do the heading stuff but it's not central to his game at all.

This (from Woodwardfan in another thread) is frankly disgusting. Some of our fans really are shameful.

When he went off injured they gave Sammon even more stick and frankly the lad's treatment at half time (just after that miss) was cruel; he was ridiculed and booed all the way off right in his face by the South Stand "supporters".. This is no way to support a team.

At the final whistle Sammon went straight down the tunnel, despite his goal. Whether he came back out I wouldn't know but as I was leaving he went straight off. That speaks volumes to me after such a great win.

He played well yesterday, especially second half. On the plus side there was a Feed the fish chant after the goal - a goal he took well darting out from behind the last defender to prod home.

In general I think he tries to make a back, shield the ball, and control it on his chest, thighs, or even feet, this makes the ball stick, holds up play for others to join in - this takes time given we're not fleet of foot in the middle of the park - and then he tries to play it from there (instead of aimlessly heading it on as Keith seems to want).

 

[shorehamstreet1990]

Very poor show from our fans if that's the case. Everyone f*cks up. I missed the junction for the parkway and ended up near Rotherham but the Mrs didn't give me sticks of abuse for it.

The majority in the Kop were singing the Feed the Fish and could see Sammon needed that goal, but I wouldn't blame the lad for heading down the tunnel at FT if that was the reaction he got from the South Stand at HT.

Cheers for your post Foulkes, good explanation of his role in the squad. Answers my question!

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Does being big automatically mean you have to be good at heading?

No but he looks like he is actually scared of heading the ball, perhaps we should equip him with a skull cap. To be fair to the lad, that miss just before half time could have destroyed his confidence, but he came out and gave a good second half display. Like one or two we just need to see some consistency in their performances.

 

[lazyfecklessblade]

It was quite strange with the goal kicks we were aiming for Woolford to start with who had the beating of their right back (not sure of his name but no. 2).

Then Sammon came on and Long started aiming for him, the players must think he is somewhat decent in the air... or Long's kicking ability declined quickly

Woolford was great in the air, he won far more than his fair share - and when he didn't applied enough pressure to ensure that the defensive header was poor

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Sammon a very poor target man (especially with regards to aerial ability) and as bad as some of the other previous shockers in a United shirt (off the top of my head Ashley Ward, Andy Gray and James Beattie spring to mind, the latter two were at least a bit better at putting the ball in the back of the net).

Adkins would have been better going for Steve Davies (injuries not withstanding), more effective as a target man and I dare say much cheaper.

 

[chesblade]

Me and hubby just discussed this as we sit to
side of our dugout and we never heard Sammon getting booed. The ref did and Sammon was getting agro from all over ground for not jumping for Headers. He was the 1st down tunnel and looked like he couldn't get off pitch quick enough
he did clap the fans as he walked off. We thought it might be because he knows he won't be stopping any longer

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Sammon a very poor target man (especially with regards to aerial ability) and as bad as some of the other previous shockers in a United shirt (off the top of my head Ashley Ward, Andy Gray and James Beattie spring to mind, the latter two were at least a bit better at putting the ball in the back of the net).

Adkins would have been better going for Steve Davies (injuries not withstanding), more effective as a target man and I dare say much cheaper.

But Adkins doesnt want a target man, none of our tactics are geared towards a target man.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Me and hubby just discussed this as we sit to
side of our dugout and we never heard Sammon getting booed. The ref did and Sammon was getting agro from all over ground for not jumping for Headers. He was the 1st down tunnel and looked like he couldn't get off pitch quick enough
he did clap the fans as he walked off. We thought it might be because he knows he won't be stopping any longer

Probably made up abuse to fit the agenda of the 2 posters in question. If a player is poor it's the fans fault, if we lose it's the fans fault. Even when we win the crowd aren't supportive enough.

If people disagree with their views they just block them, "forum" is the clue here for me but others just like the sound of their voice (via the medium of a keyboard)!

 

[1danewhitehouse]

It’s clear to anyone with eyes in their head that he’s not good in the air for a big bloke. He does have other attributes though. His link up play is good. A couple of times he controlled the ball with his back to goal and played excellent through balls to Sharp in the channels. He’s reasonably mobile. He’s OK with his back to goal bringing it down on his chest etc. He’s reasonably strong. He chips in with a few goals. He certainly doesn’t deserve the stick he gets from some. Carl Asaba was rubbish in the air for his size. I don’t remember him getting this stick. What about Kevin McDonald? About 6”2 and constantly out performed in aerial battles by the likes of Monty, Doyle and even Quinn. I think we need to see him for what he is and that’s not a traditional target man but more of an all round forward. If we want someone who will just win headers and do nowt else we have Higdon. Personally, I much prefer what Sammon brings to the table.

 

[Toledo Blade]

I like the lad. I think he puts a shift in when asked to, but for the life of me I can't understand why he seems to be useless with his head. Missed a sitter, missed a near post header that led to their goal, and more than one or two ironic cheers came up when he won some headers.

Or am I misreading him, and he's better at holding up the ball, and even has one or two skills in the locker?

Potential to be a really good L1 striker if he was good with his head..

I am sorry to say that Sammon is just a waste of space in my eyes, how anyone can say that he gives the Blades anything different. The only reason he is staying is because we do not have anyone else. If you compare how he plays to Done is like Chalk and cheese. Done has an awareness and an instinctive ability to read the game, Sammon is all over the place like a headless chicken. No matter how bad he is or we think he is,he should not be booed, he is most likely trying his hardest but fans being fans. At the end of the day he's wearing a Blades shirt and we should support him. I agree with Woodward that we need a striker if Sharp was out for a long time we might struggle up front. I am glad he scored I am hoping this will lift his confidence to a higher level and score even more goals for the Blades, because goals mean promotion

 

[DronnieBlade]

Sharps performance yesterday (and for the most part of the season so far) has demonstrated what an effective target man he himself has become. A much more rounded CF than many would give him credit.

Sammon's role looks set as being the impact sub, and only that. Injuries aside, this is the role I would expect him to have for the remainder of the season as this appears to be how Adkins sees him in the pecking order.

If Higdon and McNulty have any sort of future at the club (which I doubt) this might even move Sammon further behind in said pecking order.

Average (at best) L 1 player IMHO.

UTB

 

[SandyMcBlade]

Surely there are players out there that can do what he does and head a ball ?
In the old days this was a center forwards main job in fact you had to be able to head a ball to be a C/F especially at corners, now apparently it's a forgotten art even at C/H.....

 

[Woodwardfan]

Sharps performance yesterday (and for the most part of the season so far) has demonstrated what an effective target man he himself has become. A much more rounded CF than many would give him credit.

Sammon's role looks set as being the impact sub, and only that. Injuries aside, this is the role I would expect him to have for the remainder of the season as this appears to be how Adkins sees him in the pecking order.

If Higdon and McNulty have any sort of future at the club (which I doubt) this might even move Sammon further behind in said pecking order.

Average (at best) L 1 player IMHO.

UTB

Trouble is where that leaves us if Done has a hamstring problem for a few weeks. This is our weakest department IMO.

If Sharp picks up an injury what team would you pick?

It's just possible Adkins might give Calvert-Lewin a few runs. In pre-season he lavished praise on the lad, BUT is that what an ambitious club should be doing?

Maybe if McNulty goes to Pompey in January and Higdon to Oldham or back to Scotland, Adkins will have some budget to spend. In fact I see no reason why the owner ( the one with the money to invest) should not be sufficiently encouraged recently to have a real go this season. That would have been out of the question only 4 league games and a cup game ago.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Surely there are players out there that can do what he does and head a ball ?
In the old days this was a center forwards main job in fact you had to be able to head a ball to be a C/F especially at corners, now apparently it's a forgotten art even at C/H.....

Like who? I haven't seen an opposition forward who I'd prefer in his role. I liked Davies but Sammon holds the ball, is way more mobile, and links play much better.

(And the game has evolved - often in ways I don't understand eg no man on the post at corners, and I think Ashley Young was left back for Man Utd the other day.

I don't understand this stuff, but I'm willing to believe there are reasons.)

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Trouble is where that leaves us if Done has a hamstring problem for a few weeks. This is our weakest department IMO.

If Sharp picks up an injury what team would you pick?

It's just possible Adkins might give Calvert-Lewin a few runs. In pre-season he lavished praise on the lad, BUT is that what an ambitious club should be doing?

Maybe if McNulty goes to Pompey in January and Higdon to Oldham or back to Scotland, Adkins will have some budget to spend. In fact I see no reason why the owner ( the one with the money to invest) should not be sufficiently encouraged recently to have a real go this season. That would have been out of the question only 4 league games and a cup game ago.

There's a lot to be said for this

• I'm not enamoured of Done at all.
• McNulty might be able to partner Sharp if Billy's willing to be target man and supplier as McNulty isn't up to either
• Sammon does a decent job but needs a goalscorer alongside him.
• Higdon doesn't fit our style of play.

If Billy gets injured we'll really struggle (though I imagine Adkins has a Plan B up his sleeve for this).

Who to prioritise in the JTW is a real issue.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

His timing of jumps is awful but it's not just in the air,

Looking at him against Bradford and on BP he doesn't seem to jump, often seemingly feet still on the ground and bending to stick his backside into the defender and making himself even shorter in the process. He seems to want to take the ball on the chest rather than head it. I suspect its a case of bald men can't jump, when it comes to him and heading.

 

[Small Mendonca]

I thought Sammon in the first half looked absolutely hopeless and wasn't convinced he was putting maximum effort in. His attempts to tussle for a ball were pathetic. However, in the second half I thought he played really well and probably deserved a goal for his hard work and battling. Him and Sharp seem to work a lot better than Sharp and Adams.

The thing is with Sammon, I'm not convinced he looks interested all the time. Why was he so hopeless in the first half but he was really good 2nd half and seemed to win more 50/50 battles? He is limited at times but I think a lack of application lets him down.

 

[bladesmanluke]

My view is that he has no natural ball sense. His timing of jumps is awful but it's not just in the air, he mistimes the ball a lot on the ground, particularly the ball going across him - anybody remember the missed tap-in at the Kop end v Bury was it?

However, the lad tries his best and all credit to him for knocking that one in yesterday after his horror miss in the first half - that took bottle.

All players are human beings and cannot help but be affected by crowd attitudes. They don't sign themselves at clubs and they don't pick their own place in the team.

Sammon's career goal record is appalling in England and fairly modest in Scotland and Ireland. He has never been any different but our manager judged that he could perform at this level presumably. In his way he does perform but we need someone better if we are to challenge for automatic promotion after such a bad first half to the season. Sammon can do no more than his best and doesn't deserve the treatment the crowd gave him yesterday and even previous games. It's counter-productive.

The thing is, these "fans" don't understand. You cannot educate dog shit brains

 

[James Boreman]

When will some of our fans realise the games moved on from "kick and run". People don't play hoof anymore, it doesn't get you anywhere. This is why players like Sammon who is mobile are preferred to lumps like Higdon and Davies.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Let's not pretend Sammon is a good footballer. To me he's the "Monty" of strikers; never a footballer and fighting the odds all the time. No natural ball sense and just trying to make the most of wnatever he can by sheer effort.

Thing about Monty in midfield though was he could at least run forever and put a foot in and that's easier in midfield and has it's place.

Both Monty and Sammon have done extremely well to make a living out of football.

 

[JohnDenver]

Does being big automatically mean you have to be good at heading?

I'm over 6ft but you could use the direction of my headers instead of a National Lottery machine.

 

[SandyMcBlade]

Like who? I haven't seen an opposition forward who I'd prefer in his role. I liked Davies but Sammon holds the ball, is way more mobile, and links play much better.

(And the game has evolved - often in ways I don't understand eg no man on the post at corners, and I think Ashley Young was left back for Man Utd the other day.

I don't understand this stuff, but I'm willing to believe there are reasons.)

If that's true makes you wonder why they bother having players to put the ball into the box or big C/H to head it out dunnit.......

 

[Jehovah]

Peter crouch has been criticised before for his heading ability. And the lad Nuhiu or however you spell it for Wednesday is 6"7 and one of the worst headers of the ball on earth.