Shane Smeltz - why is he so good?
Normo's coming home
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With the possible departure of our top scorer, I've been thinking hard about what has made him so succesful in his first couple of A-League seasons.
He isn't especially quick, he isn't especially big or tall and he doesn't seem to have amazing positioning or game sense (he always bloody off-side for one thing). So what makes him such a good player and why has he been so succesful? He does have a silky touch but that alone doesn't seem to explain it.
I'm interested to hear people's views because he is undoubtedly one of the stars of the league yet seems so dissimilar to the paradigm of the modern striker.
Normo's coming home
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Heading.
Pretty good finishing (bar the PSC final).
Goal Poaching.
Pretty good finishing (bar the PSC final).
Goal Poaching.
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Ruud van nistelrooy didnt exactly have any of that either...(except positioning)...But its all about the finishing
Allegedly
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Van Nistleroy is surprisingly quick...
Heading, that is a good point. He is strong in the air even though he isn't that big. Part of my original comment though...
Normo's coming home
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he has what all good strikers need - confidence.
With that, the goal looks massive, the keeper small, and everything seems to slow down when he has a sniff of a chance.
On the other side of the coin, a striker with no confidence (Forlan at Man Utd, for an example off the top of my head) seems to panic and snatch at chances.
All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight
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For me the most impressive thing about Smeltz is his ability to hold the ball up under extreme pressure. I'm not saying that's the absolute key to his success but it's an essential part of his game; eg, in the lead up to his goal on Sunday he controlled a tricky ball into the box, fended off two Bling defenders, then laid it off to Lochead who then supplied him with the cross for the header.
I'm thinking also of that great goal he scored in the opening few minutes in the 4-1 loss to Adelaide last season; same thing: excellent control under tight marking and manages to turn and fire the ball in. He is a real handful for a defender trying to force him off the ball.
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Defends from the front amazingly well. Also holds the ball up very good as said above and is probably the best finisher in the league. If he has 10 chances you would bank on him to get 8 or 9 of them. He doesn't need a lot of chances or half chances to score.
a.haak
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I like the last couple of comments from Stopout and Valeo. Especially Stopouts comment about Smeltz being about to hold off multiple defender and still get away a good pass.
Maybe a chant about "Feed the Smeltz and he will Score" in the making!
Fitz
Fitz2008-10-02 07:02:06
Maybe a chant about "Feed the Smeltz and he will Score" in the making!
Fitz
Fitz2008-10-02 07:02:06
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he does have a great first touch and close ball control
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I think he is VERY aware of what is going on around him. When he gets the ball he keeps his head up and I'm guessing he knows where all the other 21 players are on the pitch (i may be exaggerating). Therefore he doesnt seem to lose it too often.
He also turns up in the right spots. On the weekend it was him that did the lay of to Lochy and then made the near post run into space.
Founder
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retains possession well
links well in the middle and attacking 1/3s of the field
His timing of runs into the box and moevement onto the ball is very good (example power he is able to exert when heading the ball, space created in attacking 1/3 with forward/diagonal movements)
First touch is right up there
Good Strength and power in relation to body composition
Finishing is clinical rarely snatches/panics/rushes scoring opportunities
I dare someone to send that to AFC Wimbledon as a player profile of Shane Smeltz as he was horrible over there. I think Ricki is deserved of his dues with bringing the best out of Shane and instilling confidence in the lad. I remember alot of people on here questioning the signing and quality of shane smeltz some 18 months ago.
Will be very suprised if he re signs but cannot begrudge him if he dosnt he has been a key ingredient of what little success we have had and the opportunity for higher honors wil surley tempt him (eg. Asain Champions League Football - can't see him going back to europe with young family)
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confidence, ability to hold the ball, good strikers innate sense of an opportunity
When Hibs, went up, to win the Scottish Cup - I wisnae there - furfuxake!
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he takes a high percentage of his opportunities....remember the 4-1 thrashing we got at adelaide last year? 1 shot on goal - 1 screamer of a finish from smeltzy
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so lets recap. Smeltz has the following attributes:
* heading
* finishing
*poaching
*ability to hold up play, and control under tight marking
*defends from the front
* scores 8 or 9 out of every 10 chances
* strength to hold off multiple defenders
* great first touch and ball control
* awareness of everyone else on the pitch
* ability to get into the right postions to score
* retains possesion well
* etc, ect, etc
I got tired of writing out what was written above.
So if he has all those attribures, how did he not manage to be a success at conference level in the UK? He sounds like Van Niistroy combined with George Best and Maradona.
All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight
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* scores 8 or 9 out of every 10 chances
Out of the 9 attempts on goal this season (on and off target) he has scored 4.
Last season 36 attempts on goal for 9 goals, comparing that to nut puncher who scored 12 goals from 75 attempts on goal
Bullion2008-10-02 11:30:39
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he has what all good strikers need - confidence.
With that, the goal looks massive, the keeper small, and everything seems to slow down when he has a sniff of a chance.
Who told you that?
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he has what all good strikers need - confidence.
With that, the goal looks massive, the keeper small, and everything seems to slow down when he has a sniff of a chance.
Who told you that?
no one - I have been in that position of having that confidence.
I can't confirm that Smelz is feeling that exact same way, but from what I have heard from his performances this season that seems to be the case. As someone else pointed out, out of the 9 attempts he has had this season, he has scored 4 - like a golfer on a streak who sees the the ball like a watermelon when it is on the tee, and the hole like a canyon when they are putting.
All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight
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he has what all good strikers need - confidence.
With that, the goal looks massive, the keeper small, and everything seems to slow down when he has a sniff of a chance.
Who told you that?
no one - I have been in that position of having that confidence.
What year was that?
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he has what all good strikers need - confidence.
With that, the goal looks massive, the keeper small, and everything seems to slow down when he has a sniff of a chance.
Who told you that?
no one - I have been in that position of having that confidence.
What year was that?
1992, 1993,1996 and 2007
How did this become about me?
All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight
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It's always about you isn't it Frankie ?
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With that, the goal looks massive, the keeper small, and everything seems to slow down when he has a sniff of a chance.
are you saying he needs glasses?
Founder
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he has what all good strikers need - confidence.
With that, the goal looks massive, the keeper small, and everything seems to slow down when he has a sniff of a chance.
Who told you that?
no one - I have been in that position of having that confidence.
What year was that?
1992, 1993,1996 and 2007
How did this become about me?
i just dont see the relevance between Smeltz & yourself toe-poking a couple in for the Wgtn Coll 2nd XI in 1992.
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You're one hell of a douchebag in all honesty
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You're one hell of a douchebag in all honesty
Frankie or someone else?
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* scores 8 or 9 out of every 10 chances
Out of the 9 attempts on goal this season (on and off target) he has scored 4.
Last season 36 attempts on goal for 9 goals, comparing that to nut puncher who scored 12 goals from 75 attempts on goal
I thought this thread was for overexaggeration?
a.haak
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so lets recap.� Smeltz has the following attributes:
* heading
* finishing
*poaching
*ability to hold up play, and control under tight marking
*defends from the front
* scores 8 or 9 out of every 10 chances
* strength to hold off multiple defenders
* great first touch and ball control
* awareness of everyone else on the pitch
* ability to get into the right postions to score
* retains possesion well
* etc, ect, etc
�
I got tired of writing out what was written above.
�
So if he has all those attribures, how did he not manage to be a success at conference level in the UK?� He sounds like Van Niistroy combined with George Best and Maradona.
Being a striker you get less chance to show your wares as there is only a few spots in the line-up and goal scoring is a decisive factor in selecting. A striker can be dumped even when he is playing well because the midfield doesn't give him much ball service or options and hence it affects is goals per game analysis.
He was playing reasonable for AFC Wimbledon at Isthmian League Premier Division level that saw them close to promotion to conference south then transfer to Halifax Town at conference national level which was two levels higher.
He was playing for Halifax Town in the conference national level who was struggling for a couple of years prior to his signing in 2005/06 and was already starting to be in serious debt at the time. In the May 08, Halifax Town was found to owed over �800,000 to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. The Revenue refused any deal and that effectively finished the club � already over �2 million in the red. They now play in Northern Premier League Division One North in the new season under the new name F.C. Halifax Town after they been removed Football Conference and being reformed by fans.
So in summary, he was playing under a stink club with a stink manager who didn't know football and never saw the best out of his players. Halifax town was in debt and couldn't find anyone to replace their long term stink manager.
Bad for them and good for us.
The silly thing is that we know he would be successful at least at the Football league championship level had he transfered into the right club and even into the EPL. His ability is somewhat similar to the abilities of Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka up front IMO.
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so lets recap. Smeltz has the following attributes:
* heading
* finishing
*poaching
*ability to hold up play, and control under tight marking
*defends from the front
* scores 8 or 9 out of every 10 chances
* strength to hold off multiple defenders
* great first touch and ball control
* awareness of everyone else on the pitch
* ability to get into the right postions to score
* retains possesion well
* etc, ect, etc
I got tired of writing out what was written above.
So if he has all those attribures, how did he not manage to be a success at conference level in the UK? He sounds like Van Niistroy combined with George Best and Maradona.
Being a striker you get less chance to show your wares as there is only a few spots in the line-up and goal scoring is a decisive factor in selecting. A striker can be dumped even when he is playing well because the midfield doesn't give him much ball service or options and hence it affects is goals per game analysis.
He was playing reasonable for AFC Wimbledon at Isthmian League Premier Division level that saw them close to promotion to conference south then transfer to Halifax Town at conference national level which was two levels higher.
He was playing for Halifax Town in the conference national level who was struggling for a couple of years prior to his signing in 2005/06 and was already starting to be in serious debt at the time. In the May 08, Halifax Town was found to owed over �800,000 to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. The Revenue refused any deal and that effectively finished the club � already over �2 million in the red. They now play in Northern Premier League Division One North in the new season under the new name F.C. Halifax Town after they been removed Football Conference and being reformed by fans.
So in summary, he was playing under a stink club with a stink manager who didn't know football and never saw the best out of his players. Halifax town was in debt and couldn't find anyone to replace their long term stink manager.
Bad for them and good for us.
The silly thing is that we know he would be successful at least at the Football league championship level had he transfered into the right club and even into the EPL. His ability is somewhat similar to the abilities of Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka up front IMO.
HUGE CALL.
It is not like he didn't have trials and there were plenty of scouts around. And he got exposure with the AW's.
If he was good enough, he would of made it.
He is a quality player whos style of play is suited to the A-League. Also the Phoenix play very well to his strengths which is headering. (he scores heaps of headers) but as far as the Championship goes, i dont think so.
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..........So in summary, he was playing under a stink club with a stink manager who didn't know football and never saw the best out of his players. Halifax town was in debt and couldn't find anyone to replace their long term stink manager.
Bad for them and good for us.
The silly thing is that we know he would be successful at least at the Football league championship level had he transfered into the right club and even into the EPL. His ability is somewhat similar to the abilities of Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka up front IMO.
Bad for them and good for us.
The silly thing is that we know he would be successful at least at the Football league championship level had he transfered into the right club and even into the EPL. His ability is somewhat similar to the abilities of Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka up front IMO.
I'm a big fan of our Shane but, from what you've posted, how do you know he played under a stink manager who didn't know football and never saw the best of out his players? There's nothing in what you've written about Halifax to back those points up. Do you have an intimate knowledge of the relative abilities of the Halifax squad at that time? The only player you could arguably comment on would be Shane Smeltz and you've already he said that he was only 'reasonable' playing for a team two levels below Halifax.
If Shane's talent was so obvious despite playing for a club in deep sh*t like Halifax were, why didn't another English club wave some cash at Halifax and steal him off them.
As for the EPL. I certainly don't 'know' that he'd be successful at EPL level or even in the Championship. I'll just be happy if he carries on being successful in a Nix shirt for the rest of his career
Jag2008-10-02 14:47:38Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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sorry but as good as he is and as much as we love him he is no kewell or viduka, remeber not even hibs are interested in him after a good season last year lol
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No, he's no Kewell or Viduka because he actually plays matches rather than lying on treatment tables.
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So if he has all those attribures, how did he not manage to be a success at conference level in the UK? He sounds like Van Niistroy combined with George Best and Maradona.
We are evaluating him as a good A LEAGUE player and his performances in this league, the attributes listed are those seen in his performance at this levelif he was playing in the premier league comments would be based around, his lack of pace, dwelling on the ball in possession, inability to move the ball quickly and play with acking tempo, lack of quality when attacking defenders 1 v 1 ect ect
the two leagues are two different beasts at thsi level he is very good hence appears to be a van niistelroy at premier league level i presume he would be more a toiler and hard worker who is all endeavour without any real quality
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im sure harry and dukes could manage 20 odd games a season at a league level
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he isn't as good as viduka or kewell no way. ridiculous statement.
why does he score goals for the phoenix? pretty decent finisher (either in the air or off the deck) and good positioning are his best features i would say.
his touch is ok, doesn't have much pace by the looks, but is strong.
some people are getting a little carried away with the compliments methinks.
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hes always in a single mind
not thinking should i pass or should i shoot
not thinking should i pass or should i shoot
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I dont think he is '"so good"..he is good for a goal every 2nd game or so and takes some of his chances but doesnt for instance take or attempt to take chances from distance that often or simply get a shot away..he is an enigma to me.
He seems to want to get into the 18 yard box or even the 6 yard box before letting loose..his strike rate would go up if he tried to score more from outside I believe. Does he have the power to take long range chances consistently? Havent seen him take on many defenders, beat them and then score..more of a poacher like say Kevin Phillips ...although he could score spectacular long range goals as well.
Having said that I would still want him in this team
...just paired up with another striker to complement his talents.
...just paired up with another striker to complement his talents.A small town in Europe........looking to bounce straight back up....well that aint going to happen
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Farken he's not that good.. scoring 12 goals in 7 games like myself in the wednesday social comp is great from. Geez ricky should sign me!
ive got a song that wont take long, Adelaide are rubbish.. the second verse is same as the first.. ADELAIDE ARE RUBBISH
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At HAL level he's just a damn good finisher. That's about it.
He's OK at holding the ball, he does lose it a bit, his positioning is above average...
But above all else, 6 days out of 7 - Smeltz buries most of his chances. From memory his first 5 goals last year came from 6 shots on target?
There are far superior players on the ball (Brosque, Hernandez), but they fluff chances regularly. Smeltz makes up for his lack of comparative skill with very good finishing.
He's OK at holding the ball, he does lose it a bit, his positioning is above average...
But above all else, 6 days out of 7 - Smeltz buries most of his chances. From memory his first 5 goals last year came from 6 shots on target?
There are far superior players on the ball (Brosque, Hernandez), but they fluff chances regularly. Smeltz makes up for his lack of comparative skill with very good finishing.
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I think I agree with the less entusiastic comments so far, Smeltz is a talented finisher, he scores from close well, however he does have this odd habit of not shooting and trying to better his position too often. Either way as frustrating as he is, he scores goals regularly and thats all I care about.
Queenslander 3x a year.
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