Danny Simpson's Thread [R]

[Dark Savante]

Thoughts on the kid from PL watchers?

Reckon he'll be sent out on loan in January or persevered with?

Looking at the calender, it'd be great if we could open up a decent lead at the top for this lad to get some less pressure cooker games.

Him starting verses Everton was a shock. I wonder why the manager did that? It seems to be pretty obvious he's not ready for that yet, afterall, Everton are a side who may well lay claim to being the 4th or 5th best team in England come season's end.

I have to admit to being slightly disappointed by him defensively. His nerves have got the better of him in terms of going in for tackles, the positioning takes time and games to learn, but Danny is a superb 1vs1 defender and should be doing much better in that department.

I hope he gets the chance to really show what he can do, whether that's here or on loan at another PL club remains to be seen.

[Invincible]

I wouldn't want him sent out on loan again because really, what can he learn on loan? We should keep him around the big boys at the club, let him soak up the big club atmostphere and let him experience the big match atmosphere. Gary Neville wasn't always the defender he is now, I used to hate him for all the mistakes he made. Now with experience he's one of the best if not THE best right back in the league, at least he was last season.

I think Simpson just needs the games under his belt to calibrate when to tackle, when not to tackle etc etc. I thought he was magnificent against Roma and it was really telling that we conceded on the right hand side when Brown went there and Simpson went to left back.

[Vermont Red]

I don't want to see Simpson on loan. It warms my heart to watch him out there, as callow as can be. Sometimes the universal competence of United becomes boring.

In addition, what could be more satisfying than watching Simpson change from over-matched youth to one of the best right backs in the league? It won't be the same if he goes away and them comes back more accomplished.

I think there's plenty of matches that Simpson could play in. It's not like that many teams in the league have the will and the means to attack our right flank and take advantage of Simpson.

[Dark Savante]

I wouldn't want him sent out on loan again because really, what can he learn on loan? We should keep him around the big boys at the club, let him soak up the big club atmostphere and let him experience the big match atmosphere. Gary Neville wasn't always the defender he is now, I used to hate him for all the mistakes he made. Now with experience he's one of the best if not THE best right back in the league, at least he was last season.

I think Simpson just needs the games under his belt to calibrate when to tackle, when not to tackle etc etc. I thought he was magnificent against Roma and it was really telling that we conceded on the right hand side when Brown went there and Simpson went to left back.

Good post and points, but a PL loan would do him wonders, especially at a club that would desperaely need him and thus practically g'tee him the start every week - that's what, 15-18 games he could have between now and the end of the season in the league alone, then you throw in the FA Cup and he could have a couple more.

Here, he's lucky to get 5-10 meaningful matches between now and May.

[Dark Savante]

I don't want to see Simpson on loan. It warms my heart to watch him out there, as callow as can be. Sometimes the universal competence of United becomes boring.

In addition, what could be more satisfying than watching Simpson change from over-matched youth to one of the best right backs in the league? It won't be the same if he goes away and them comes back more accomplished.

I think there's plenty of matches that Simpson could play in. It's not like that many teams in the league have the will and the means to attack our right flank and take advantage of Simpson.

Posted whilst you did. How many games do you believe he'd get for us though?

[Invincible]

Good post and points, but a PL loan would do him wonders, especially at a club that would desperaely need him and thus practically g'tee him the start every week - that's what, 15-18 games he could have between now and the end of the season in the league alone, then you throw in the FA Cup and he could have a couple more.

Here, he's lucky to get 5-10 meaningful matches between now and May.

Now an EPL loan? That I can live with. If he can play week in week out in the EPL I wouldn't mind. However I still think Fergie will keep him around as a 'just in case' measure. He doesn't want that same injury crisis that happened last season.

[Vermont Red]

Posted whilst you did. How many games do you believe he'd get for us though?

Barely any. It would probably be best for him to go on loan. I hate that the stakes are so high that Fergie can't give this lad games.

[sdotsom]

There won't be many games for him, but after Brown we are pretty bare at the position. I think he stays, mainly for squad reasons. Neville can't be counted on at this point IMO, and while O'Shea would be an adequate cover that's all he is. If we bring in a Sagnol, then let Simpson go on loan. I'd rather he stay though.

[Dark Savante]

I think this window will be very telling for where Simpson stands in the manager's eyes. You have the side of the coin where he stays here, gets less games, but gains more uber level experience/tips from our squad (if he trains and fields next to Rio and Gaz, he's sorted) or you have the hands-on approach of a loan.

Starting him vs. Everton suggests the manager rates him higher than I do at this moment in time. That's a major game he was chosen for right there, perhaps the biggest surprise of the season for me so far in terms of player selection. But taking him off at the half, also suggests the manager felt he put in a poor shift (I would concur) so whether that's dropped him down the ladder I don't know.

Here's our remaining league games:

Birmingham - HNewcastle - H
Reading - A
Portsmouth - H
Tottenham - A
Man City - H
Newcastle - A
Fulham - A
Bolton - H
Derby - ALiverpool - H
Aston Villa - H
Middlesbrough - A
Arsenal - H
Blackburn - A
Chelsea - A
West Ham - H
Wigan - A

Bolded are the games I think he stands a better than 50% chance of starting. You could also factor in any ties before or after a big FA or CL game as well, but then you have to add Gary returning to the equation and thinking that realistically Wes will be his back-up, Simpson would get no games at RB at that time, but he could still see time as Evra's understudy as well, so.. by the most positive of estimates he'd get 7 starts tops... Then again, Fergie could throw some curve balls and play him against some of the better sides as well...

[MtP07]

I'd send him back on loan to Keano. He needs matches against PL opposition.

[lynne]

Thoughts on the kid from PL watchers?

Reckon he'll be sent out on loan in January or persevered with?

Looking at the calender, it'd be great if we could open up a decent lead at the top for this lad to get some less pressure cooker games.

Him starting verses Everton was a shock. I wonder why the manager did that? It seems to be pretty obvious he's not ready for that yet, afterall, Everton are a side who may well lay claim to being the 4th or 5th best team in England come season's end.

I have to admit to being slightly disappointed by him defensively. His nerves have got the better of him in terms of going in for tackles, the positioning takes time and games to learn, but Danny is a superb 1vs1 defender and should be doing much better in that department.

I hope he gets the chance to really show what he can do, whether that's here or on loan at another PL club remains to be seen.

Question: do you think it's harder to play RB behind Ronaldo? Someone somewhere blamed Ronaldo for leaving him out to dry against Everton, and maybe that's the case.

To answer your original question: seems like we need him because, even if Gary comes back soon, when do you think he'll get injured again?

[Charleysurf]

I think he needs to be given another chance to show what he can do. If nerves affected him against Everton then hopefully he will be much better next time. It is true though that options are limited. Maybe Fergie can start him in the FA Cup game at Villa if he decides that it is lower priority.

Fergie sees him as a player who can play LB as well, so I can't see him going on loan unless we buy a new LB in January.


The only place he should go on loan is to Sunderland, if we do send him out, as he is respected there already and would get lots of games.

But surely Jonny Evans is going to end up there in January and you can't have multiple loans to one club. I think it'll be an awful mistake not to have Jonny in the squad, even more so than Simpson, as he looks a much better backup at CB than Pique. But I think Jonny really needs the regular football after everything that has happened lately (and God knows Keano needs him).

[Dark Savante]

Question: do you think it's harder to play RB behind Ronaldo? Someone somewhere blamed Ronaldo for leaving him out to dry against Everton, and maybe that's the case.

To answer your original question: seems like we need him because, even if Gary comes back soon, when do you think he'll get injured again?
Simpson wasn't hindered as much by being behind Ronaldo as he was being supported on the inside by Brown, for me. Rio would have commanded him to stand in much better positions and there were many times when it was Brown & Simpson vs an Everton man (the cross they scored off being an example) so it wasn't a lack of numbers that caused Simpson to look lost, but a lack of know-how, imo.

He needs a forceful presence supporting him to progress and develop whilst in bigger games like those. I do believe he'd have had a much better game vs. Everton if Rio was there and that's a trend I would imagine repeating for all his games he gets here. Ronaldo isn't a hinderance for him at this moment in time.


I think he needs to be given another chance to show what he can do. If nerves affected him against Everton then hopefully he will be much better next time. It is true though that options are limited. Maybe Fergie can start him in the FA Cup game at Villa if he decides that it is lower priority.

Fergie sees him as a player who can play LB as well, so I can't see him going on loan unless we buy a new LB in January.


The only place he should go on loan is to Sunderland, if we do send him out, as he is respected there already and would get lots of games.

But surely Jonny Evans is going to end up there in January and you can't have multiple loans to one club. I think it'll be an awful mistake not to have Jonny in the squad, even more so than Simpson, as he looks a much better backup at CB than Pique. But I think Jonny really needs the regular football after everything that has happened lately (and God knows Keano needs him).

He'd be up against Ashley Young vs. Villa... not a good idea whilst his positioning is so poor, imo. One vs one I think he'd do well but with Barry on the inside and Bouma on the overlap I think he'd struggle vs. them. Wouldn't want to see him vs. Villa, personally.

Agree about Evans, but have to say a few other sides could use Simpson if Sunderland didn't or couldn't take him (Derby being the standout)

If Simpson couldn't get a PL club, I'd rather he stayed here and got the handful of games instead, he has nothing to prove and nothing to learn at Colaship level.

[yikchi]

I think we should loan him out to Sunderland (or other PL) side also.
I don't think we need him since we expect Gaz to be back and Brown, O'Shea, Pique, and Hargreaves can all fill in RB in case Gaz couldn't com back.

Question: do you think it's harder to play RB behind Ronaldo? Someone somewhere blamed Ronaldo for leaving him out to dry against Everton, and maybe that's the case.


If he is going to play for our first team, he will be hung out dry from time to time. Ronaldo will never be much help defensively.

[israbeckham]

We need both Simpson and Pique to stay because we need cover. No one needs to be reminded what happened last season... Evans on the other hand is the one getting least chances and should return to Keano.

[muusa]

I think a Premiership loan is the best option at this point. He needs games right now, and he'll only get 5 or so here once Gaz gets back. I think with Gaz, Brown, O'Shea and Hargreaves we have more than enough cover to send him out.

[johno]

I've been relatively outspoken in my praise for the lad. I didn't think he was as bad in any of his performances as some have suggested, but that's probably just my bias for the kid. The thing for me is, he's so much better offensively and so much better on the ball that he allows us to keep possession way better than if we had Brown or O'Shea at RB. I realize that doesn't count for much on the defensive end, but it is something. I agree with much of what you say DS in that he'd have benefited greatly from Rio's presence against Everton, and I concur that he's not guaranteed to have many chances in our first team.

That said, I'm torn about sending him out on loan. Sunderland for me, is the only club I'd risk a loan to.

Of the clubs that could use him, most I fear, wouldn't give him enough of a chance and he'd be wasted and probably then be on his way out of the club. I feel like Evans whose stock is higher could go to a Fulham or a Newcastle or even a Wigan and impress, allowing for Simpson to go to Sunderland. Outside of Sunderland I want Simpson to stay and I want him to be the 2nd choice RB behind Brown when Gary is unfit and behind Gary when he is fit.

[jeff070]

brown's contract is over it will end in january so he could leave , thats why simpson should stay, and gary neville could not be 100 % when he come back also i prefer to have simpson than willy sagnol

[Vermont Red]

I doubt Brown is out of contract in January. June/July is more likely.

[johno]

correct, he's free to sign a pre-contract from January though.