Danny Simpson striving to adapt to new style at Leicester City

[davieG]

Danny Simpson has been praised for trying to adapt his game to suit Claude Puel’s style of play.

The 31-year-old has been renowned as a defensively strong full-back and his introduction into the starting line-up ahead of the attack-minded Ritchie De Laet was one of the catalysts to the Premier League title success two seasons ago.

Simpson has always accepted his role was to provide the defensive security that allows winger Riyad Mahrez to create and score goals at the other end, without having to worry too much about tracking back, but now Puel has called upon Simpson to add an attacking element to his game.

It may not come natural but Puel said Simpson has shown the right mentality in trying to adapt.

“Danny won the Championship two years ago and it was a fantastic season,” said Puel.

 

“With a strong mentality all the players played very well game after game. Danny is a player with good experience and maturity, a good defender also.

“I think he is open to play with other attributes now to give us more offensively in open play.

 

“It is amazing to see mature experienced players who want to improve.

“We look for quality on the pitch and it is interesting. He has had a fantastic season and he continues his job with a good mentality.”

Simpson admits he is trying hard and has embraced the new role because he wants to end his goal duck as a City player.

Simpson has scored just four goals in 380 games as a professional, and has never found the back of the net for City.

“That is what I am trying to do, I am getting higher up the pitch and helping Riyad out,” he said.

“At the same time Riyad is Riyad and he does all the magic, but I am getting up there for him and if he needs me I am trying to get to the back stick because I want that goal!”

[Guest]

He isn't capable.

[biggs]

What is Puel's style? To play possession football with awkward players.....good luck with that

[RumbleFox]

Well done Danny, nice to see some determination. X

[Brainy]

He wasn't a good defensive right back 2.5 years ago in our eyes then look what happened. This will probably be a step too far but atleast he's determined

[Clever Fox]

His efforts to adapt are admirable and no more than I would expect from him. But he just doesn't have the feet for an attacking role. He's a better full back than some give him credit for, but his lack of physicality and height is costing us at set plays.

I think we'd be better getting in a new younger Full Back that can properly fill the role Puel wants, while Simpson still has some value also.

[funkyrobot]

The only people that didn’t see we needed a new right back at the start of the season were unfortunately the key decision makers - the LCFC recruitment and management team. Pretty much every fan, even those who rate Simmo said we needed more cover and competition in that role.

 

Let’s be honest, Simmo is solid defensively but probably one of the least capable attacking full backs in the premier league at the moment. Puel asking Simmo to suddenly (and successfully) bomb forward is unrealistic and hasn’t worked. 

[ZeGuy]

Highly commendable of him and anyone can see his efforts even if it's with little success most of the time. That's what it means to be professional. 

 

Should have he been better forwardf he's walk straight into England's team.

[lcfc sheff]

Cant see him starting for us next year if Puel is still here, but the same was said when we won the league... More inclined to think he won't surprise us this time tough, step too far to ask him to suddenly have attacking output

[volpeazzurro]

1 hour ago, funkyrobot said:

The only people that didn’t see we needed a new right back at the start of the season were unfortunately the key decision makers - the LCFC recruitment and management team. Pretty much every fan, even those who rate Simmo said we needed more cover and competition in that role.

 

Let’s be honest, Simmo is solid defensively but probably one of the least capable attacking full backs in the premier league at the moment. Puel asking Simmo to suddenly (and successfully) bomb forward is unrealistic and hasn’t worked. 

It's pure supposition that the management team didn't know that but the oh so wise supporters did! As one such wise supporter can you claim to have the absolute knowledge that they didn't look, didn't have any targets, didn't have any negotiations and didn't make any offers? 

Who really knows,  do you really think that if it' not in the press it's not happening? Do you really think they conduct business informing supporters every step of the way? How many saw Diabate coming in advance?

[lcfc sheff]

although i'd argue we're far more desperate in other areas than specifically at right back. With a CB, CM and arguably some competition for Kasper being more important.

[lee7]

Massive fan of Simpson defensively but going forwards I don't think he'll ever be the attacking right back Puel is looking for. It doesn't help either that when he looks to shape up for a cross he has to take a few seconds to set himself. 

Edited 12 April 2018 by lee7

[Stadt]

Good professional but he's limited player going forwards and that'll never change. It's very rare a player changes their skillset and rarer still this late in their career.

[Tuna]

Terrific defender, lost count of the amount of times he'd come up with a clearance, a far post header or a block in the title winning season, but he doesn't have the skill set required to be an attacking wing back/full back.

 

I would have thought the natural progression for Simmo would be to adapt as a centre half, but may be too small.

[WigstonWanderer]

41 minutes ago, Tuna said:

Terrific defender, lost count of the amount of times he'd come up with a clearance, a far post header or a block in the title winning season, but he doesn't have the skill set required to be an attacking wing back/full back.

 

I would have thought the natural progression for Simmo would be to adapt as a centre half, but may be too small.

Always thought we should do well as a right sided CB in a three.

[Farrington fox]

Sounds like we are stuck with him then......

[Nick]

Nobody passes him the ball because he loses it every time and can’t cross. I’d rather he stayed on the right of a back three, frankly.

[Guest Bob Hazels shorts]

Epitomises one of our major failings.

 

The guy just about gets by as a half decent right back but not capable of doing more.

 

When he's on his travels either his area is left exposed or a more gifted player is trying to cover. This seems to be the way in most areas, positioning is bizarre.

 

Hanza was told (fact) to sit deep and often the most Morgan furthest back + Morgan furthest forward? 

 

I go with flexibility but its getting a primary playground free for all. 

[RowlattsFox]

In fairness to Danny Simpson you can never fault his effort, he gets himself into positions but unfortunately he is limited in his ability to take a man on (doesn't have skill or pace) and his final ball is woeful generally.

[RutlanderFox]

These stats from both columns tell you all you need to know about Simpson

 

 

[filbertway]

Weird how the boards been rife with people suggesting the 2 main positions we need replacing next year are Wes' and Simpson's, then all of sudden we get two articles on them both haha.

[ARM1968]

He’s not the only one struggling apparently. 

[Lovejoy]

He'll be remembered fondly along with all of the lads from 2016, but he can't even defend anymore. It's not a dig, it just happens to all players at various stages after hitting 30.

[daddylonglegs]

Think everyone should stop mincing their words and living in the past and just accept the guys shite with the ball at his feet and shouldn't get near a Puel type team. 

[Muzzy_no7]

20 hours ago, FIF said:

He isn't capable.

Sad, but true.