| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. 19:52 - Sep 29 with 2045 views | cbower |
Don't get me wrong, there is lots to like about Szmodics. He works his socks off for the team, has an eye for goal (he probably should've had 4 already this season and needs a goal) and he seems to be a good egg in the dressing room. In my option, since being here he's been played out of position, whether that's on the left or as a central 10. Neither show him at his best. In the central 10 he does not have the guile required to unlock low block defences with quality passes or that bit of skill. His best qualities are off the shoulder of the last man or poaching in and around the box. He looks a frustrated figure at times. Is Akpom the central 10 solution? Maybe but for me we do not yet have the right balance there at the moment. Cajuste, Walle Egeli or maybe Cam Humphreys and Nunez are possibilities as we need someone more creative than Sam in that central 10. Just my opinion mind! |  |
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:03 - Sep 29 with 1861 views | Cheltenham_Blue |
Literally the position he won the golden boot from the season before last. |  |
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:04 - Sep 29 with 1857 views | 2-5-7 |
So what position are you saying is his best exactly?
Not on left or central 10.
Are you saying a Vardy type role - which is a No 9? |  | | |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:10 - Sep 29 with 1813 views | cbower |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:04 - Sep 29 by 2-5-7 |
So what position are you saying is his best exactly?
Not on left or central 10.
Are you saying a Vardy type role - which is a No 9? |
Right up top with no defensive responsibility otherwise than pressing central defenders. In his golden boot season he was a striker, often playing off a 9. Now he is being expected to replace the Chaplin role which does have a tracking back dimension to it. Just not sure he quite fits in McKenna's system. | |
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:21 - Sep 29 with 1767 views | SheffordBlue |
From where he has been playing he's had a few decent chances where he's been slipped through for the type of chance he was scoring for fun last time he was in the league. Overall he could have had 3-4 by now. Once the first one goes in I think we'll start to see a bunch of goals and assists from him. |  |
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:30 - Sep 29 with 1696 views | BouncebackIpswich |
He's a good player who doesn't fit our system as it stands. Remains to be seen how Kieran will tweak the 10 role to suit Sam and Akpom for that matter, because he's not starting up front unless we have a raft of injuries. |  | | |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:42 - Sep 29 with 1645 views | Guthrum |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:10 - Sep 29 by cbower |
Right up top with no defensive responsibility otherwise than pressing central defenders. In his golden boot season he was a striker, often playing off a 9. Now he is being expected to replace the Chaplin role which does have a tracking back dimension to it. Just not sure he quite fits in McKenna's system. |
Possibly just the case that he's not playing far enough forward in the no.10 role? If most stuff is going down the flanks (which it is), perhaps he doesn't need to drop so deep. Make sure he's an extra body in the box for crosses.
Mind you, I think everyone is expected to track back and help win the ball in a McKenna team. It's part of the energy. |  |
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:45 - Sep 29 with 1633 views | 2-5-7 |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:21 - Sep 29 by SheffordBlue |
From where he has been playing he's had a few decent chances where he's been slipped through for the type of chance he was scoring for fun last time he was in the league. Overall he could have had 3-4 by now. Once the first one goes in I think we'll start to see a bunch of goals and assists from him. |
Exactly this.
I don't feel we are playing with same emphasis on what is required from the number 10 role this season and Chaplin's most consistent season was in a different team two years ago.
Things are moving on.
Being stronger thsi year on both flanks in theory would free up reliance on a '10' role (if we call it that), which should then give him more freedom to find the gaps and runs on which he thrives.
Akpom also isn't a Chaplin clone and I expect he will also roam into attacking areas further up the pitch.
The Midfield so far I feel are trying to push up the pitch more - one can drive with the ball the other presses like a pitbull up the pitch winning balls, meaning 10 role has a little less link up play to cover. We are a bit more direct.
Szmodics has had some decent chances it's not quite just stuck yet fro him. More down to finishing than positioning. | | | |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 21:00 - Sep 29 with 1530 views | chicoazul |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:03 - Sep 29 by Cheltenham_Blue |
Literally the position he won the golden boot from the season before last. |
One stand out season in his career. I like him but I remain if the opinion he has been a weird signing. Don’t see where he fits in. |  |
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 21:12 - Sep 29 with 1470 views | itfcsuth |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:03 - Sep 29 by Cheltenham_Blue |
Literally the position he won the golden boot from the season before last. |
I love Sammie Szmodics, but I’m not sure it was the same role he played?
I thought he was in the left pocket, and almost a false 9 at times for Blackburn that season in a 3-4-2-1. [Post edited 29 Sep 21:12]
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 21:14 - Sep 29 with 1455 views | itfcsuth |
Needs to be more influential to the attacking play, I think that’s pretty evident, don’t think that’s controversial.
From the puzzle, it still looks to me like the 10, 9 and RM is quite flowing - just looking for a solution in them areas. | | | |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 21:39 - Sep 29 with 1371 views | mellowblue |
Looks like a classic second striker to me, as does Akpom. We seem to have moved away from playing 10s behind the striker with Chaplin and Broadhead being let go and no other random South Americans on loan. | | | |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 21:45 - Sep 29 with 1337 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:03 - Sep 29 by Cheltenham_Blue |
Literally the position he won the golden boot from the season before last. |
Not in how he played. He was very much on the defender’s shoulder and a second striker, not that linking No 10 that the OP is talking about. |  |
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 22:05 - Sep 29 with 1263 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 21:39 - Sep 29 by mellowblue |
Looks like a classic second striker to me, as does Akpom. We seem to have moved away from playing 10s behind the striker with Chaplin and Broadhead being let go and no other random South Americans on loan. |
Agreed, both are striker/second strikers (Akpom more a striker, Sammie more 2nd striker). Sammie played up top for some of that golden boot season for Blackburn. Akpom’s played his fair share of the number 9 role. Neither are creative number 10s who are going to be threading balls through a low block. Both do best in a more open game when they’ve got some space to run at, or in behind, defenders. | |
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 23:49 - Sep 29 with 1079 views | darkhorse28 |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:03 - Sep 29 by Cheltenham_Blue |
Literally the position he won the golden boot from the season before last. |
He used to make those third man runs dozens of times a game- I’ve never seen any of our 10’s do that.
Guess McKenna prefers them to drop a little or offer options wide when inside forwards invert.
There’s no doubt though…, he’s gone backwards a lot since he arrived. Similar to Clarke and Greaves.
Runs his socks off .., but lacking confidence. Wouldn’t be a worry if he was getting chances, but he’s not getting in the positions, and that’s a problem. | | | |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 02:24 - Sep 30 with 987 views | Everydayblue |
Think he looks a bit frustrated because he hasn't found the net yet, this season.
No doubt KM will be reminding him of what he does bring to the team, to try and keep him up beat...
His work rate is phenomenal. And will hopefully be rubbing off onto one or two others. (Jack Clark, for instance, has upped his work rate recently?)
There are signs of link up between Hirst and Szmodics. Hopefully they can start growing a better relationship as games rack up.
Like Hirst, I think his efforts are slightly underrated by some. He probably underrates his own efforts a bit, whilst he's not finding the net.
Hope he gets off the mark soon. Once he breaks the seal, I think he'll start scoring regularly..... But, yeah. He's more a grafter and finisher, that a creative force.
I like him all the same. | | | |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 07:47 - Sep 30 with 771 views | Metal_Hacker |
Love the bloke to bits and he's a pest to the opposition no doubting that along with the fact that he's playing in a way that I dare say he's being asked to play BUT ....it does remind me of a busy fool
Our 10's pre last season seemed to have a purpose and a place and I really can't work out Sammie's
Here's hoping he cracks one in soon and it all settles down for him and us [Post edited 30 Sep 7:50]
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 08:11 - Sep 30 with 709 views | Steve_M |
Yes, I still have some questions about where Szmodics fits. His workrate and pressing is superb, he was very good against Southampton in that regard and I thought he had a good game on Saturday but not sure there was a great deal of linkup play between him, Jaden and Egeli. It's pretty clear he needs a goal and is trying a bit too hard at times.
Other games though, Preston away stands out, when that lack of link up play and guile is a real problem. It certainly wasn't the only one that day but there's definitely a question about how effective Szmodics can be in that sort of match. Admittedly Chaplin then gave one of his worst performances for us when he came on so he wouldn't have been better then too.
Some of the link up play will come with time and a bit more confidence amongst the squad and there's a lot of scope for us to improve. We have some very good options amongst our forward players and trying to get the best out of them at this level is probably a more enjoyable poser for McK than those last season were. |  |
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 08:17 - Sep 30 with 679 views | TractorJack |
Teams don't often leave enough space behind for him to play the same way he did at Blackburn. That being said, when the opportunity is there he's still able to do it, the chance he had on Sat was a perfect example. I think it's only being called out because his finishing is not there at the moment. I'm confident he'll get goals eventually. |  | | |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 08:22 - Sep 30 with 655 views | IH_KGF |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:03 - Sep 29 by Cheltenham_Blue |
Literally the position he won the golden boot from the season before last. |
Whilst that's true, maybe Blackburns whole game plan was to get him positions, supplying him the service, with us we have a number of other options.
SS seems to get a little lost in games, but seems to be the busiest player out there. If that makes any sense.
Noticed Saturday he was on the floor more often than not too.
Heart of gold, and a hard worker, so can see why McKenna plays him
I think I'd like to see Walle in the 10 position. [Post edited 30 Sep 8:28]
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 08:28 - Sep 30 with 640 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
Agreed.
Work effort cannot be faulted but on the ball he isn't offering that much to my eyes. He also hasn't taken the chances that have come his way so far this season and that is what he should excel at it.
Hopefully he takes one vs Norwich. |  |
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 08:55 - Sep 30 with 518 views | Herbivore |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 20:03 - Sep 29 by Cheltenham_Blue |
Literally the position he won the golden boot from the season before last. |
He played as more of a false 9 for a lot of that season for Blackburn which is why our fans think he's a striker. He's not, he's played number 10 a lot throughout his career but the season he got all the goals he was more advanced and flanked by the likes of Gallagher to do some of the lore physical work so he could make those runs in behind and score for fun. Worth noting that while he had a great season, Blackburn had a poor one, so not sure that set up entirely worked for them and they were able to play on the counter and get him in behind a lot more than we'll be able to.
I do tend to think he just doesn't quite fit and said as much when we signed him. He's a good player but he lacks the technical ability to do what Chappers or Omari did in that role. |  |
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 09:29 - Sep 30 with 402 views | HighgateBlue |
If he probably should have had 4 goals, and has zero, it might be questioned whether he has an eye for goal.
He certainly had an outstanding season in 2023/24, and there were numerous people who weren't that excited by signing him, asking whether he might be a one-season wonder. I dismissed those concerns and was quite excited by signing him. I think I may have been wrong.
It may be that you're right that he doesn't really fit our system, or the way he's being deployed in our system. Certainly his scoring record at Ipswich is worse than at other clubs.
This season he's not done a lot of unlocking, and he's not done any scoring. Last season was tough because we were in the Premier League, but I just don't think we've got the evidence to conclude that he's been a success at Ipswich.
I agree he works his socks off, and he's very likeable for that reason. I also think he probably is a positive presence in the changing room. But I'm not convinced he's the best we have in that role. I'd be interested to see Akpom in there for a run of games. If McAteer were genuinely a £12m player then it might even be interesting to see him on the right and Egeli at no.10. |  | | |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 10:25 - Sep 30 with 292 views | blueoutlook |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 21:00 - Sep 29 by chicoazul |
One stand out season in his career. I like him but I remain if the opinion he has been a weird signing. Don’t see where he fits in. |
I’m not sure Akpom fits the system either. Neither of them play our number 10 role. Both are out position. I think both are strange signings for the way Mckenna likes his teams to play. |  | | |
| I think Szmodics had a more effective game Saturday than people are giving him.. on 11:14 - Sep 30 with 227 views | unstableblue |
… credit for.
Yes he didn’t score despite a decent moment.
But his work rate, pressing, link play, and ability to make things happen was decent.
He’s also still finding his feet in the role alongside Hirst, which I’m not sure is intended as true number 10.
His role seems to be to buzz, cause of bit of mayhem, link play.
Akpom did look good when linking with Furlong, and did seem to stay in a more orthodox 10 role when he started. |  |
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| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 11:25 - Sep 30 with 203 views | Reuser_is_God |
| Sam Szmodics. Not a 10 for me. on 08:11 - Sep 30 by Steve_M |
Yes, I still have some questions about where Szmodics fits. His workrate and pressing is superb, he was very good against Southampton in that regard and I thought he had a good game on Saturday but not sure there was a great deal of linkup play between him, Jaden and Egeli. It's pretty clear he needs a goal and is trying a bit too hard at times.
Other games though, Preston away stands out, when that lack of link up play and guile is a real problem. It certainly wasn't the only one that day but there's definitely a question about how effective Szmodics can be in that sort of match. Admittedly Chaplin then gave one of his worst performances for us when he came on so he wouldn't have been better then too.
Some of the link up play will come with time and a bit more confidence amongst the squad and there's a lot of scope for us to improve. We have some very good options amongst our forward players and trying to get the best out of them at this level is probably a more enjoyable poser for McK than those last season were. |
Yeah I think the key point is that he’s a completely different style of 10 to what Chaplin has been for us.
Whether or not it’s the right change to have made will play out over time but Szmodics is clearly a good player, the question is whether or not he’s the right one. |  |
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