Shane Smeltz (Ronaldinho FC)

play him with Krishna up front with Kosta outwide. I don't think it likely Watson and Smeltz would feature together- but I think Watson could learn an enormous amount from him. How many times has Watson blasted a shot into a block in the last 3-4 games? IMO plenty.  

Fark- I'm super happy. No Smeltz no Phoenix IMO.

couldn't find the Melbourne goal- but here's this...Actually it's in there at 1.08.

I'm not sure how he's going to do on the field, but his presence off it will be welcomed in my books. Losing Manny and Siggy were undeniably huge losses in our leadership group. Could be a good mentor for Watto, will be interested to see if he jumps right into the starting XI or off the bench. 

One of our main problems particularly earlier in the season were finishing our chances, it's nice to see us sign an out-and-out striker to compete with Watto. 

Definitely a shift away from Ernie, a lot more balls in from wide areas. Already seeing that in the past couple of games with long balls out to the wings and crosses coming in. More direct overall.

THough as pointed out- Ernie has been happy to do this before with Joel Griff

And Joel G made a big impact too before he ended up injured. Smeltzy can do the same.
It'll be nice to sing for Smeltzy rather than at him, as well!

Smeltzy, whats the score, Smeltzy Smeltzy whats the score

I'm not sure about this - possibly because I only started following the Nix after he became Judas - but really we need someone to boss the midfield rather than a striker? Anyway I hope it works.

Also, since he's going to wear 99, we have a chant.

Ive just bought my son a playing shirt for xmas too, would have had Smeltz on the back if Id known this

99 Smeltz balloons?  He was born in Germany.

Needs more keyboards

Pretty sure that's from or for a George Lucas film

David Hungate looks very young...

I am wondering  - cynically, 'cause I am old and seen this before - if this signing is to do with the new better salary cap in A-League?

Maybe Mrs. Smeltz also asked to return to a more relaxing lifestyle than Malaysia? Which is fair enough.

So - without spoiling the occassion - maybe Smeltzy genuinely wanted to return to A-League but we're the only team that wanted him?  I hope his legs can still carry him, and that referees will give him protection from vicious tackles Finkler or Roly are getting. 

Either way he'd be a good addition to the team for mentoring reasons and to give us an option to the attacking third. I would still like Watto to start but then Smeltz could easily come in around 60-70 minute mark and have an influence on the proceedings.

Or.... we need a striker (unusual). Who is the best striker we know that is keen, fit and available? Smeltzy!

The song was, in fact, inspired by THX-1138. Not a big Toto fan but as a keyboard player myself I do appreciate a good Moog solo.

Berisha just hit Archie's 90, Smeltz on 89 A-league goals....he wants his all-time leading goal scoring record back, Smeltz is no bench-sitter, this season is about to take-off

Will try find a sauce for you, but I'm pretty sure he was in Sydney over the past couple of weeks and was linked to both WSW and CCM. 

Admittedly 99 is getting a bit old, even for the A-league

He just loves Shake It Up Baby Now in Wellington!

Really don't get the angst. Not like we've signed him for a few years. If Watson goes down injured, then we don't really have anyone else to play that central role.

I'm not singing and dancing about us signing him, but I'm not slitting my wrists either. I'm sure he'll do a job for us.

New chant? 

We're sorry for calling you Judas, we're sorry for calling you Judas.

Or

Welcome home, weeelcome, come on in and score some goals.

Yeah, basically the same. He's obviously not really what we need if we're actually trying to improve the team, but he likely won't make us worse either (unless we try to shoe horn him in with Watto)

Makes sense now that David Jones has opened on Lambton Quay...

#shoppingformrssmeltz

I could see Smeltz/Watson working together as a front 2 in an orthodox 4-4-2. Kosta an out and out winger. Smeltz has always been a finisher and that's not something you lose with age. So if we can feed him in the box, this could be a signing almost as genius as Who's Your Dadi was.

Oh Smeltzy, I gave you my heart. But the very next day, you gave it away. This year, to save me from tears, I'll give it to Chris Greenacre, and he'll give it right back to you, this is so demoralising, when will the cycle end.

I knew this day would come.

I feel sad now :-(

I'd rather see Rogerson given a chance off the bench than Smeltz. Disappointed in this move. Hopefully he can score a few matchwinners for us off the bench but I just don't see the point when we could be developing the careers of Watson and Rogerson, both huge prospects.

I'm sure he'll be ok but there's no chance in hell he'll be good.

Krishna- our genuine striker and goal scorer who has been involved in almost every goal this season?

Another thing that came to mind:

We must have had a decent wack of cash below the kitty line still. Smeltz most likely wont be cheap (even though he would be pro rata) so one wonders about where we are at in relation to the cap.

Has always been a goal scorer. Hope it goes well for him as it is always difficult to return to a previous club where so much is expected.

Ernie said earlier this year Welnix had no money issues for potential acquisitions - but I thought we spent it on Finkler and Kosta already.

Smeltz must score tons of goals for us! In no way we can accept Beserk Berisha as all time A-League leading goal scorer. And Krishna has to win the golden boot, in no way we can have Bruno Divearoli win this this year.

My own view is that the A-league has become a faster game from the days when Smeltzy ruled the field for us, and he may also not be as fast anymore.   However I don't think there is much angst (well at least from me).  If he is not too pricey, good to have him back as a backup, both on the field and as a mentor to younger guys.  I do not think we were 'desperately looking for a striker' though.

You just allocate more of Kosta or Finklers wages outside of the cap.

Phoenix general manager David Dome said Smeltz told him he was keen to return.

"He got in contact a couple of weeks ago and said he's keen to come back to the A-League, help out the club and be part of the campaign for the second half of the season."

"I threw it past the coaching team at the time, and the football committee had a little look at it, and we decided to go for it."

Most probable was Ernies last bit of business.

certainly sounds like it

Very happy with this signing. He's now  playing for his future. So I'd expect he's throw everything into the rest of this season to try and earn another year. His signing is very similar to that of sack punching Griffiths. He was great for us and who knows, if his knee didn't give way that season could have turned out much better!

Fingers crossed Smeltzy stays fit.