Coventry City fans have seen two sides to Ellis Simms in recent weeks and, in truth, over the course of the season.
Few would argue that the big and powerful centre-forward has all the attributes and raw ingredients to bully and stretch defenders at this level in the way he did so impressively and aggressively against Hull, using his deceptive pace to get in behind and create openings.
Fast forward a couple of games and the tables were turned at Plymouth where the 24-year-old was largely contained by imposing Bosnian centre-half Nikola Katic on a disappointing afternoon for all concerned, not just Simms.
Asked if the player – who has seven goals so far this term compared to 19 last season – realises how strong, quick and powerful he can be, head coach Frank Lampard said: “Yeah, I think he does because I tell him quite a lot and I know Ellis from my Everton days.
“I agree, I thought his performance (at Hull) was good but we want our strikers to score. I put that pressure on him and Brandon (Thomas-Asante) earlier in the season when they played together and they responded to that pressure, which I think was good.
“But his all-around game the other day in terms of being the threat that we know he can be with his strength and run-in power was good, and it can be better.”
And Lampard admits he feels the need to remind the player now and again of his talent to ensure they come out in every game, saying: “He’s a good lad. He’s very laid back, very easy going – a very low maintenance player but I also want to jab him sometimes to get the extra bits out because those attributes you talk about are his real strengths and they need to be maximized. So that’s Ellis.”
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