The discussion about Simms is an interesting one. I've only seen him a couple of times (pre-season last season mainly) and I'll be honest I was quite underwhelmed with him (and said as much on this thread). He looked a really big strong lad, but didn't put himself about enough for me. He's absolute flown this season though and is obviously a natural finisher if nothing else.
His record is very very good. In fact I can't remember a young player having such a record in our 18's in the last 25 years. I include Rooney, Jeffers, Cadamateri, Vaughan and Anichebe in that. The lot over the park are raving about Duncan, but even he managed under half the goals Simms did. So even if you obscure the arguments about the standard etc it is a very impressive return.
Likewise I'd add, in truth it is rare for a player who's been with the reserves for longer than a season to really make the step up. The reality is, if you're good enough you are picked from straight out of the 18's, or you develop whilst on loan. It sounds a harsh statement, but there appears to be a ceiling you can get too in terms of improvement from playing under 23's football. It probably makes the strategy employed by Unsworth, of looking to build a team of lads who play under 23's in their early 20's seem an ineffective one. (I should add, at this point we could be proven wrong and I would love to be, with lads like Feeney, Gibson, Broadhead, Adedoyin etc breaking through). I can understand players having a season, but then really it needs to be loaned out, promoted to the first team or moved on.
If you look in recent years, Ball, Jeffers, Davies, Rooney, Cadamateri were all promoted straight from the 18's. Barkley was when he ws 16, as were Vaughan, Rodwell and Anichebe. It's hard to think of many who weren't (the obvious exception is the injury hit Osman who benefitted from a loan, and Hibbert). How far did lads such as Dowell, Kenny, Connolly etc benefit from longer spells in the 23's? So I don't find it so much of a stretch that Simms would be involved with the first team squad this season initially while they have a look at him and he misses out that stretch.
This seems especially so as there must be some potential that Unsworth may just be viewed as a bit of an island currently. Someone who will be tackled, but not in need or urgent attention from Brands. Lets put it this way, it wouldn't surprise me if Silva/Brands had identified Simms last season and been quite calm over his lack of progress to the 23's knowing full well he gets promoted to the first team either way.
There is lots to be said against it of course. The Brewster comparisons are fair to a point. Like Brewster (and Hallam Hope before him) there is more than a little of him relying on pace and strength to score which got found out wen getting older. You could certainly view it that way. The quantity of goals is different but the principle is fair. You could also view it and say maybe the above 2 the club were a bit unlucky with as they didn't kick on and maybe Simms will?
The comparison with Adedoyin (The Nigerian right winger) is a fair one. I really like him too and he may be one who benefits from a proper season in the 23's.
