Shane Smeltz (Ronaldinho FC)

That's a beauty all right. Reminders me of Wynton's volley for the Kingz

mirror image!

Full name of Shane's new club:

"Persatuan Bola Sepak Kedah Darul Aman"

Try fitting that on a shirt !

The club's imports are good quality - 33 year-old Korean defender Bang has won the K-League;

32 year-old Brazilian midfielder Sandro has spent most of his senior career in the Turkish Super League, a very decent European league (a decade there, with short stints in Brazil in-between).

24 year-old Kosovo midfielder Krasniqi has played in the Turkish second tier and the Czech top flight (Czech Cup winner).

26 year-old Brazilian striker Thiago Fernandes was one of the top-scorers in the Bahrain league in his time there. 

Having Shane as well suggests the club has some money behind them.

They seem like the sort of imports who would be good enough for the A-League.

http://www.espnfc.com/blog/football-asia/153/post/2926584/wiser-shane-smeltz-in-scoring-form-in-second-asian-foray-in-malaysia

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/83078633/All-Whites-star-Shane-Smeltz-feels-Australian

2 goals in a 5-0 cup quarter final win

Good Crowd!

yeah massive. Just further proof how much potential the AFC has commercially 

Another goal for Smeltzy yesterday

Oh? What do you know Patrick? What have you heard?

Smeltz Home for Christmas

Im uncertain about whether Smeltz's return is good or bad, who does he replace in the starting lineup? Watson? hopefully not cos Watson is doing really well. He surely can't be coming in for wee mac while injured.

I see him coming in for Watson (which is tough on him) but Watson moving onto the bench and gives us an option of a impact player with the way he plays and throws himself around. I think the Smeltz signing is a good one of course provided he provides the goal scoring form he used to have.

Well didn't see this coming, but now that it has come, feel rather nostalgic and excited.

Could be a good crowd puller for the summer too.

Hopefully with some time with Smeltz Watson may get even better.

He's 35 I can't see him playing 90.  He also said he's younger than ever in the interview which is usually a bad sign :P.

He'll be great off the bench to grab a  late winner, also he's also only two goals away from being the all time goal scorer, although you'd expect Berisha to get it out right within a game or two so there has to be some motivation there.

Seems strange that such a signing is made during a period of uncertainty around the coaching staff.  Who has made the decision? 

Does it indicate that Greenacre and/or Buckingham are on a more permanent footing at the head?

perhaps it was Ernies last signing before he resigned?

Good move IMO. The guy has come off a good stint in Malaysia that shows he is fit and still can bang in the goals. He might not do 90 minutes but it could work as a sub or playing the first 50 mins and then bringing Watson on. I'll bet Mrs Smeltz is excited about coming back to Wellington again LOL

He probably doesn't want Roy to overtake him in goals scored for the Phoenix and add to his 23.

I will profess to being a little sceptical but can see both sides of this

1: He has pedigree and a record that supports his exploits

2: He is 35

3: He has been scoring in Malaysia

4: This is not Malaysia

On the balance of things, this feels like a Joel Griffiths move. A known quantity that has pedigree and can be effective. My only question is does he get the service he deserves and does his need for the ball take from Kosta and Roy?

Feed the Smeltz, let them know it's Christmas time again 

given the circumstances (e.g. Messi, Diego Costa and Rooney not yet ready to commit to a permanent shift to Wellington) probably not a bad short term move.

notwithstanding generally high level of fitness, the big problem at that age is groin, hamstring etc. type injuries.

longer term, if not Europe, I reckon Greenie is well placed to source some very decent strikers in the Championship and Div 1 

I have to agree with you on these pionts. I want to be proved wrong but 35 for a striker is not a direction I would be wanting to go. Then again this might be the type of attitude that would spur a guy like Smeltz on and so be it.

We will need to tailor a game plan to use Smeltz effectively.

It's only to the end of the season what's the biggy? I think it's a great move.

perhaps he's Ernie's replacement but doesn't know it yet?

Disagree strongly. Smeltz's last stint in the A-League was poor.

Hardly an inspiring signing that will kick start our season, is it?

40 is the new 23

Yeah, get it in the box where someone can score, rather than Twitting it around the back four all day

I am not saying it is a bad signing.  Others have made very good points for it being a good signing. The jury is still out for me although I really want it to work.   

I was just saying that it is unusual for such a thing to occur during a caretaker coach period. 

I am not saying he is the messiah, but he noes how to operate inside the oppositions Penalty area. We also have to be realistic, we can only sign a kiwi or an Aussie at the moment (indication that Roly is going nowhere?). 

Sure Smelttz has his limitations but is Watson an answer ?  

Concern being that he's too slow for the effective Krishna, Draco and Kosta plan, and then may/may not actually be more effective than Watson. 

He's an instinctive poacher, so you hope with a bit of service there are some goals flowing and with that wins...

lollolloll

Finkler did well with Berisha so maybe this combination will work well.