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Salernitana coach confident Simy will soon end goal drought

SALERNITANA coach Stefano Colantuono has backed Simeon Nwankwo to start scoring regularly soon.

The towering Nigerian striker, popularly known as ‘Simy’ in Italy, joined the newly promoted Serie A club at the beginning of the season from Crotone.

Despite Crotone’s relegation from Serie A last season, Simy stood out, scoring 20 league goals in 38 matches.

However, the 29-year-old has struggled at Salernitana, scoring only once in 12 games, although he has atarted only six times.

Colantuono has advised Simy to trust in his abilities and the goals will flow again.

“I keep him tight, during a season there are moments when you are less brilliant,” the coach during his pre-match press conference.
“I talked to him, he must be calm, because he has always scored.

“His path has been troubled, perhaps he needs continuity. But we are always on the run and we cannot afford independent management of all the athletes.”

Salernitana are 19th in the Serie A table as they prepare to face Sampdoria but Colantuono said Simy and the other players are ‘not affected’ by the club’s situation.

“It has been two weeks of intense work, I’m very happy with the attitude of an impeccable group in terms of availability and professionalism,” he said.

“We had some players travelling with their national teams and some are not very well, I’m referring to Veseli, who is suffering with muscle pain.

“It’s the same for Strandberg. We are sorry because, once again, we are in an emergency. I haven’t had a full squad since I arrived. At least we have the possibility to bring Lassana Coulibaly and Capezzi with us.”

Colantuono was asked about the situation at the club, who are still looking for a new owner and are now running out of time.

“I have enough experience to understand that the players are not affected by it,” he said. “The table is clear, we have to concentrate on the pitch.”

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