Derby County striker Sammon can shrug off criticism with his all-round play
DERBY County coach John Metgod wants critics of Conor Sammon to look at the striker's full value to the team.
Sammon has yet to win over all of the fans since his £1.2m move from Wigan Athletic in the summer.
Criticism of him from some supporters increased when he failed to convert a late penalty in the 1-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace a week ago.
The Republic of Ireland international scored in the Rams' draw against Championship leaders Cardiff City on Tuesday to take his tally to eight in 37 appearances this season.
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It was his first goal in 11 games and was a reward for a strong-running display that troubled Cardiff's defence.
"They (some fans) might get off his back now," said coach Andy Garner afterwards.
Metgod also believes the criticism of Sammon is harsh.
"Unfortunately, it seems that if you are the centre forward the only thing you are judged on is scoring goals but I am sure there is more to football than just scoring goals, even for a centre-forward," said Metgod.
"Some people look at a striker too simplistically, in black and white, but there is more to being a striker than that.
"Of course he knows he should have scored the penalty against Palace and he knows he might have scored a few more goals but that doesn't take anything away from what he is doing for the team.
"I do not think there are too many centre-forwards in the Championship who work as hard as Conor Sammon or too many who are more of a team player than he is.
"I think a lot of people don't see that."
Manager Nigel Clough and many of Sammon's team-mates have already spoken about the player's value to the team.
Metgod has also backed Sammon.
"As a striker, you are part of the team," said Metgod. "Apart from the fact you are supposed to get the goals, which is true, there is also other parts of your game.
"Conor Sammon will never ever let you down in his team work and it is his full value to the team that some people need to look at.
"They need to see the runs he is making to try and get behind defences, and the pressure he puts on defenders trying to stop them playing easy balls into our box is phenomenal.
"So you cannot just say because he is not getting the goals, he is not performing because that is only one part of his role."
4 Comments
by youngun
Saturday, March 09 2013, 1:59PM
“Lets hope Conor comes good today a bit of water may help the fish !
Playing centre forward is the most outnumbered and isolated postion in the team.Conor works his socks off to collect the ball and bring our midfield runners into attacking positions.This is a system we have to play as we don't have too many creative players in the squad, maybe only one in young Will Hughes.Without true creative midfield players we rely heavily on Conor collecting the ball down the middle and in the channels to get into attacking positions, something he does reasonably well and its certainly not for the want of trying.
He doesn't score enough goals it's true as he doesn't tick all the boxes but the last time I looked we are'nt a premier league team with the resources to pay the wages of players that tick all the boxes.He might score more goals if we signed a creative midfield player, when was the last midfield defence splitting pass to put the striker one on one or ,for me, if he got himself to the back post a bit more when it's clear a cross might be coming into the box.
I think some of the critisism is unfair and some of the fans need to understand the game better rather than booing a genuine tryer.Maybe they should take a closer look at Conor when he doesn't have the ball to appreciate him, a player mostly plays the game without the ball.
I would suggest the moaners take a closer look at one or two others at the moment.They are Legzdins and Coutts for me.”
by ibelieveido
Saturday, March 09 2013, 10:12AM
“Most of those that moan about him are the ones that
like a scapegoat,a player they can vent their misguided
wristslashing at............
Sammon will only get better as his confidence rises.”
by sc0tty
Saturday, March 09 2013, 7:53AM
“Couldn't agree more with this article! I can't say that he has scored as many as he should have given some of the chances he has had but anyone with a football brain will know his value! I think Sammon is a main reason why ward has scored so many goals this season, and also theo too! I believe Sammon will get a few more to get Into double figures by the end of season and improve next season!”
by sc0tty
Saturday, March 09 2013, 7:53AM
“Couldn't agree more with this article! I can't say that he has scored as many as he should have given some of the chances he has had but anyone with a football brain will know his value! I think Sammon is a main reason why ward has scored so many goals this season, and also theo too! I believe Sammon will get a few more to get Into double figures by the end of season and improve next season!”