Ellis Simms the goalscoring hero for Sunderland again

Cool and calm:

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/35322645

Link is slow but it opens.

I think he's scored 3 in his past 5 games and he's certainly adding a bit of variety to his goal-scoring, it's nice to see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUmhdvIXFrs

As Phill said, a composed finish by Simms.

My Sunderland mates, however, have been indifferent with Simms's performance as a whole. Not enough workrate according to their standard (they worship defensive forwards who would run their socks off, like Stracqualursi & Marcus Bent probably more than we do!), subpar first touches ("the ball would bounce off him for 5 yards at least") and not physical enough.

Given the injuries, and being Simms's first full season at Championship level, I would remain patient with him. Though I am happy that, as James mentioned, he is 18 months away from his contract expiring.

Any progress would either mean: 1) Thelwell and his team have a bigger sample size to better determine how much closer he is to the first team and whether that warrants a new contract, or 2) his value is pumped up for a sale this coming summer.

A win-win for us, regardless.

Many of his goals are high-quality finishes. He's always been a good finisher – it's the overall play and work rate that's the issue (similar to Lukaku but not in his league, Jeff).

If we were a properly run club, we'd already have established players and prospects at the club who are better than him. Since we're a badly run club, we don't.

I am still hopeful that we sign someone with some quality and the physical attributes we need (how slow was Maupay when he had that run on goal v Wolves?).

That will allow us to assess him with clearer heads at the end of the season.

He gives me the distinct impression that he only puts the effort in when he feels in the mood and that is why I imagine he has been sent out on loan so much – even when we have been so desperate in that department.

To be a competent centre-forward in the Premier League, he needs to work harder every time he is on the pitch and he hasn't shown any appetite to do that when I have seen him. He could do it if he wanted to though.

He scored another goal tonight and made another chance for a Sunderland player who hit the bar with a tremendous shot but the faults you illustrated were all there in the 20 minutes I watched in the first half. Looks good at times then at others he looks half asleep and lazy with a distinct lack of fight and effort.

Someone close to him should tell him there's millions to be made playing football these days but it doesn't come easy, you have to be alert and ready every minute you are on the field – not now and again.

He'll earn a good living out of the game the way he is but the chances are there for him to be a millionaire if he puts a lot more into his game.

Link

Is Keane who scored for Wigan the brother of Michael Keane? They don't look alike but I've got it in my head they are brothers, he has a few for Wigan this season.

Thanks, what do think of a straight swap or even play Michael KeAne upfront for us while he's doing nothing at present, although I think he will be gone not long after 1 January.

We desperately need a forward who can offer a physical presence and notch a few goals. In other words, someone not necessarily brilliant but one who can do a job. Michael Keane has shown he can pop a few goals in and has a centre-forward's physique.

I suspect however any suggestion he might start up front would be seen by the player and his manager as an admission of failure. That said, it might be a better option in the final minutes of matches than sending on an untried youngster.

As Michael Keane didn't feature on Monday, when we had one centre-half ineligible and another injured, I assume he is on his way out.

A player with Premier League experience who might do a job for us and who might be affordable and available is Chris Wood at Newcastle. He has hardly had a game this season.