Smeltz (too many strikers)

Whilst I am not convinced with Smeltz I must admit that Rikki has a far better idea of potential than I ever will.  He managed to turn around a team that most pundits had written off towards the end of last year so I assume he knows how to get the best out of all of his signings.

I know that this topic has been covered already but i cant understand why we signed him. he can't score... consistently also..

I think hes good enough to get a contract, what worries me is that we have 5 strikers and none of them suggest to me that they'll be scoring regular, which is worrying

I agree, he was only signed because he is a Kiwi and because he scored against Wales. Lets give him a chance to prove himself though.

If he chips in with 5 or so then job done, as he will be coming off the bench. Plus Rikki Herbert has seemed to place emphasis on signing midfielders who can chip in a few goals as well.

There just aren't that many out and out goalscorers that are kiwis

Fair call.  With Covs as first option off the bench and Smeltz chipping in after him it doesn't look so bad after all. 

Ricki knows exactly what he is getting, so its a fairly risk free signing, he probably isn't on big wages either.

Looking at that list of strikers

I guess there must be more of an emphasis on the third goalkeeper now that Paston is injured too

ricki may try a few things in regards of midfielders and defenders.... i remember brockie was played as a wingback for the knights at one point and actually did better than he would have up front. smeltz would be 3rd or 4th choice striker i would have thought. Lets not forget that players will have injuries throughout the season so ricki definatly has partnerships to play around with if our starters (who would probably be the brazilian striker and maybe covs/brownlie) gets injured - mind you, a smeltz and costa partnership doesnt show much confidence in me....

Why are people putting Brown wide right?

Ricki told Smeltz that the Wales tour was his chance to impress, I'd say he'd done that, obviously don't know what he did in training but he had a good game.

True - who should that be? Spoonley? Imray?

I think if Brockie is signed he will play wide on the right, he did well there for the Knights. The squad is starting to shape up well. I think that 3-5-2 is looking like a good formation for the players they have signed. I'm really looking forward to the season to start now and see the team in action.

Must be Spoonley.

It would be pretty tricky financially, and questionable to tie up one of the first 20 spots on a 3rd keeper, plus the senior money issues.  Unless keepers are excempt from the new rules on loans.

i think he mightl be seen as attacking midfielder, he plays a bit on either the left or the right.
kiwiman2007-06-12 18:23:08

with the number of strikers in the squad Herbs might be looking at 3-4-3 or more likely 3-5-2...either way im happy with the squad so far. we could have done alot worse.

Smeltz obviously has some talent. i'd be happy to have a guy like that on my bench.

now that RKC Waalwijk has been relegated does that mean we'll be going after Vichelich?

I think it would be great to see Ivan Vicelich come home and play for the Phoenix, but if he can get a contract at a top european club then maybe that would be a better option. LondonChris im not sure he needs the experience though mate, hes 31 years old now and been playing quite regularly in the Dutch Eredivisie for Roda JC and then RKC Waalwijk, so Im not sure how much more experience he will gain especially if he stays to play in the Eerste Divisie with RKC. If he doesn't make it back to play for the Phoenix this season, it would still be good to see him back in the All Whites Jumper for the qualifiers.

Sorry i'm posting this again, the last one some how got removed??????

I agree, I have a feeling that a number of strikers, looking at coveny and smeltzy here along with plodder and maybe brown and johnson will end up bench warming all season when their places could have gone to quality players for other positions. 

I agree with TouchMe, i think ricki's snap desicion to sign smeltz on his performance against wales wasnt really smart.

Smeltz is a strong, extremely skillfully striker who can hold the ball up well with a powerful strike.

^^ Good point, he was all class against Wales and there is no reason why he can't reproduce that form in the A-league for the nix

Remembering Brockie and Costa would both be in the Under-20 numbers we're talking about 4 forwards in the senior squad of 20 which seems about right.  Your Under-20 players are the players you think will provide you the best forward path.

Also, if they sign Brockie (and nothing is definite there), he and Costa both provide cover for the likes of Daniel as well as the forward line.

is it me or was it a huge reality check wen we announced the signing of an player who was released by conference league outfit, halifax town, on the same day that melbourne announce the signing of a current costa rican international.

Don't worry. Melbourne will be even more nervous once we've signed Kaka.  

brockie is  more of an attakin mid or a second striker althow if rumours are true and we r signing george riki mite have trouble chosing the strikers also its sujjested that CB cleberson will join which will strengthen our defence

as previously mentioned he is getting old (for a footballer), and very few clubs in top flights over in Europe will go after him IMO. if WPFC could persuede him to join it would benifit the AWs as it'd be more likely he'd be available to play.

if we do sign him though i hope its as a defender who can cover mid not the other way around...we seem to have too many in that way...

Smeltz is a decent signing and should be in the top 3 strikers in the squad, if hes good enough for the national side hes good enough for here.


IF/WHEN we get Brockie i'd imagine he'll be seen as a wide midfielder...
or possibly the answer to our RB problem

I think hard news hit the nail on the head when he said that it is getting a bit carried away saying we will have 6 strikers, costa and brockie can be midfielders as well and being under 20s mean you shouldn't really count them.

With the 5 forwards we have I don't think we should sign Brockie, and I agree with the above posta, Costa could play in the midfield. I have heard of Costa's speed, so I don't see why he couldn't push for a starting place.

Ivan Vicelich for CB would be great, preferably one other good back as well though.

he wont come. he will want too much money and he has a dutch wife. the only possible way he will come is if hes offered nothing in holland.

Yeah Costa can play on the wing but where ive sen him hes best utalized up front. Who knows could work out.

Old thread, right back from the early days:

It makes for a funny read now, seeing what many of us on here thought about Judas prior to his being picked up by us.  Also questions over us having five strikers then in theory,  I wish we had that many out and out strikers now!

LOL, in retrospect there is some comedy gold there!

Haha, was that reverse order News!

(sorry couldn't help myself)

Edit: actually, your a genius, it's the order that they left the club!
aitkenmike2009-10-29 08:28:55

 





BBG!
Arsenal2009-10-29 08:30:03