Ellis Simms and Haji Wright of Coventry City are expected to score 20 goals between them, according to Mark Robins, who saw the players’ remarkable season totals rise to 16 goals apiece against Huddersfield Town.
In an amazing recent scoring run of 12 goals in his last nine games, Simms scored his third brace of the season to stay up with the USA international, who sealed Friday’s 3-1 victory at John Smith’s Stadium with his 14th Championship goal and 16th in all competitions for the Sky Blues.
“It’s good and they’ll be pushing to get to the 20 goal plus mark,” said the City manager, “and there’s enough games left for them to do that and I think that’s a realistic target for them both. It’s there for them.
“Their teammates are picking the ball up for them and making chances for them.
They’re positive and hopefully we can keep doing the same and they can keep getting into good positions to give themselves opportunities to score.”
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With 13 goals in 18 games across all competitions in 2024, Simms has more goals than any other player in the top four divisions of England.
“Ellis just needed a bit of confidence and a run where he could get some chances and have the confidence to finish them, and he’s been on that run,” said Robins, of the former Everton player who only managed to score three in his first 31 matches for the club.
“And that’s what happens with strikers. It has taken a bit of time. He definitely had a dip in confidence but that’s only temporary and you know that he’s got a track record in scoring goals. That’s what’s happening with him and also with Haji.”
When asked if there is a friendly rivalry between the two to reach the 20 goal mark and if they have a genuinely excellent connection, which is evident in their goal celebrations, Robins responded:
“I think you find that with any team. There will be some friendly rivalry but it is friendly.
But they all get on really well and it’s good. You can see the confidence is there and they know they are going to score. That’s where you need to get to as a striker.They know that when they get chances they are going to hit the target. They are going to miss some, there’s no doubt, but more often than not they are making good decisions and the talent is there for all to see, so they just have to keep going.”