Ellis Simms and Sean Dyche both spoke to the media after the striker netted a late equaliser against Chelsea, and revealed the interesting conversations that were held about the striker's development.
SIMMS SAID:
"Honestly, I can't put it into words. I've been working hard for this moment, training hard and it's a dream come true. I've always wanted to score my first Premier League goal and it happened. Then, even better it was to get a point for the team. We dug in and it's massive for us. I definitely reflect on the journey I've had so far after a moment like this. I've been on a few loans and I've done well. The main purposes of those loans is to come back and use it to try to get into this team. I've worked hard and I've been patient, waiting for the moment. When I do get on the pitch, I know I need to grab it with both hands and take it."
DYCHE SAID:
“There’s no lack of belief from me, because I played him at Anfield - I believe in him. He’s got to learn the hard yards of the Premier League. You see he hasn’t quite got the fully feel of the Premier League and the physicality - and that is going to be a big part of his progress."
DISCUSSIONS
“He came in and asked me what he needs to do last week and I said, ‘What do you think?’ He gave me four things and I said, ‘You’re right’. It’s an amazing thing about football. He knows what he’s got to do, so I’m saying, ‘Right, well take action’, and tonight he has."
WELL TAKEN GOAL
"He has taken action. He didn’t just finish, he fights, he runs hard to get his chance and then finishes calmly. That’s him taking action - not me. He’s told me the answers... Well, go and do it!”
GUIDANCE
These players know the things they have got to do, it is just a strange situation and they need guidance, someone to say ‘yeah you are right so therefore take ownership and do it’. I thought [the Chelsea game] was a good sign of that, of the difference in his physicality. He is quick, he is strong and he used it. You can’t just wait for people to allow you to use it, you can’t just wait to mature as a player, you have to earn it, you have to go and work at your game."
LEARNING CURVE
"We started him at Liverpool, he found it too tough but it was a great learning curve and I said he would learn from it. He’s training with the first team all the time and he has learned from that. I’m not over-egging it with him, it’s letting the environment teach him. And then he comes on and gets his reward for working hard and fighting hard. There’s other things he can do better. The physical side of things seemed a challenge for him and I said ‘well that has got to change’. The game tells you what you need from it physically… But it’s great signs for a young player who has got the freedom to come out at Stamford Bridge, join in and create a fine finish and a fine moment for the team and the fans.”
