Wilson backs Simmo

[Jehovah]

SHEFFIELD United manager Danny Wilson last night leapt to Steve Simonsen’s defence after insisting he will not allow a blame culture to develop at Bramall Lane.


Simonsen, the former Stoke and Everton goalkeeper, has been criticised in some quarters for gifting Huddersfield Town their first goal during Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat by Lee Clark’s side.

But Wilson, whose side return to action against Colchester tomorrow, said: “I certainly hope Steve’s confidence is okay because he’s going to be playing.

“If we want to pick it apart like that there were lots of aspects to that goal where we could have done better before it even got to Simmo.

“We win as a team and we lose as a team.

“If a midfielder gives the ball away it can lead to a goal but in most cases nobody notices.

“If it happens week in and week out then of course it becomes a problem.

“But it’s not been like that with Simmo at all because he’s a damn good goalkeeper.”

Asked whether Simonsen had apologised for his error, Wilson, who praised United supporters for the backing they have shown his team since taking charge in May, added: “The good thing about our squad is that they’re all honest lads.

“They’ve got trust in one another.

“It’s not the first time someone is going to make a mistake and it’s not going to be the last either.

“I’m not going to be falling-out with Simmo over one small thing. Like with all keepers you look at the number of times they save you points - and that’s certainly been the case with him this season.”

With Mihkel Aksalu still recovering from injury, teenager George Long will again deputise for Simonsen when second-placed United look to bounce back from their first defeat of the League One campaign.

“I rate George very highly,” said Wilson.

“He’s definitely maturing and you even see that in training.”

Not the first time hes backed him this season. I have to say most of my opinion on Simmo is based on last season which is perhaps a little unfair. Having said that, im sick of him giving goals away.

 

[Caveblade]

Have my doubts about Simmo, sometimes very good, but can be a flapper and tends to over compensate which he has made a mistake.

I do have as big a gripe with Midfield / Defence who in 2 consecutive games have stood off and said "go on then have a shot to the opposition". Goal keepers take the stick but Wilson is right with what he says, his team mates could give him more cover.

 

[Darthblade]

Have my doubts about Simmo, sometimes very good, but can be a flapper and tends to over compensate which he has made a mistake.

I do have as big a gripe with Midfield / Defence who in 2 consecutive games have stood off and said "go on then have a shot to the opposition". Goal keepers take the stick but Wilson is right with what he says, his team mates could give him more cover.

He cannot deal with the ball in the air. Any manager who has any common sense will tell his players to play on that weakness in the air and we WILL be punished badly.
If we have any ambitions to be promoted this season we MUST sign a reliable keeper as it is not fair to put the responsibility on Long's shoulders at his age.
Unfortunately, as he is one of the BIG earners at the Club, I guess the Board will not allow him to be dropped.
We WILL regret that at the end of the season.
UTB

 

[DuncDisorderly]

He cannot deal with the ball in the air.

Is it just me or does anyone else remember people saying the same about Paddy Kenny..?

 

[Toronto Blade]

They both have their weakness one can't deal with the ball in the air the other can't deal with a cough and cold.

 

[alcoblade]

Is it just me or does anyone else remember people saying the same about Paddy Kenny..?

So is he good in the air then?

UTB

 

[DuncDisorderly]

So is he good in the air then?

UTB

Simmo does makes me nervous when he comes for the ball, but then I got frustrated with Paddy because he wouldn't come for the ball (except for the odd kamikazi job, like at Hillsborough under Robson. )

Goalies mistakes are pretty emphatic. The ball usually ends up in the net.

I think Wilson is right not to blame individuals...

 

[Ollessendro]

He cannot deal with the ball in the air. Any manager who has any common sense will tell his players to play on that weakness in the air and we WILL be punished badly.
If we have any ambitions to be promoted this season we MUST sign a reliable keeper as it is not fair to put the responsibility on Long's shoulders at his age.
Unfortunately, as he is one of the BIG earners at the Club, I guess the Board will not allow him to be dropped.
We WILL regret that at the end of the season.
UTB

Spot on Darth. I am in full agreement here. It is harsh to single SS out, but his mistakes probably cost us 8-10 points last season. The players collectively deserved to get relegated, but he played a pivitotal role. His team mates bailed him out against Walsall (despite his best efforts) but his individual errors cost us the points on Tuesday. It will happen again.

He has had a run of good games or at least games where he has had clean sheets. But he has had little to do. The better teams, teams that will tkae us on, will target him and play on our weaknesses. Bury, Brentford etc did not do that (plus the outfield players gave little chance) but others will. Managers will be studying us and saying have a dig from anywhere near the box and follow it up, put every single corner or set piece on the keeper and get in in the mixer when you can. It is an obvious weaknesses and needs to be addressed.

However SS is a big earner and I doubt it is an option to dropping him. As he joined on a free contract, under Blackwell when Birch was dishing out hefty contracts (I posted about this at a time) and stepped down a level I would presume he would be on around 12/13k a week. Certainly in the range of 10-15k. Whether we bring in 'cover' for SS (because Long is not ready) I don't care. He must stop costing us points though.

Is it just me or does anyone else remember people saying the same about Paddy Kenny..?

 

[alcoblade]

Spot on Darth. I am in full agreement here. It is harsh to single SS out, but his mistakes probably cost us 8-10 points last season. The players collectively deserved to get relegated, but he played a pivitotal role. His team mates bailed him out against Walsall (despite his best efforts) but his individual errors cost us the points on Tuesday. It will happen again.

He has had a run of good games or at least games where he has had clean sheets. But he has had little to do. The better teams, teams that will tkae us on, will target him and play on our weaknesses. Bury, Brentford etc did not do that (plus the outfield players gave little chance) but others will. Managers will be studying us and saying have a dig from anywhere near the box and follow it up, put every single corner or set piece on the keeper and get in in the mixer when you can. It is an obvious weaknesses and needs to be addressed.

However SS is a big earner and I doubt it is an option to dropping him. As he joined on a free contract, under Blackwell when Birch was dishing out hefty contracts (I posted about this at a time) and stepped down a level I would presume he would be on around 12/13k a week. Certainly in the range of 10-15k. Whether we bring in 'cover' for SS (because Long is not ready) I don't care. He must stop costing us points though.

Fact is we've got to pay Simmo if he's dropped or not. The real cost is that of replacement. The sad part is is that we watched abetter keeper play against us this week. One that we let go, and one that I'd be suprised if he earns a tenth of Smmo's wages.

UTB