Smeltz confused by goal drought

Shane Smeltz knows the goals aren’t flowing. Hhe also knows the team isn’t performing. He’s just stuck for the reason why.

Perth Glory striker Shane Smeltz knows the goals aren-t flowing like they should be, he also knows the team isn-t performing like they should. He-s just stuck for the reason why.

The Kiwi star also knows he has to be part of the answer and must take on the role of leader very soon.

The Glory of course have gone from the penthouse to the outhouse in just one season. The results aren-t there and the All White is flummoxed as to why that is the case, though he thinks a clear lack of confidence could be part of the issue

“We have had similar squad and the same coach as last year and we looked to improve for the next season and for whatever reason we have gone the other way,” Smeltz said.

“I think confidence is always an issue when you-re at the bottom of the table for any player and that-s when strong characters will come out and you can always overcome these things but everyone is human, you-re going to feel disappointed, your confidence will get knocked and that-s when strong characters have to step up.

“I like to look to myself as an experienced player in this group. We need players to stand up and I-m one of those.”

If he-s going to step up it means no more botched chances in the final third and finding the predatory nature that for so long has been a hallmark of his game, until this season when injuries and inconsistent football have seen that final touch wane on gilt-edged opportunities.

Smeltz, a big game player of some renown knows he has a big role to play when league-leading Central Coast visit Perth on Saturday and he believes they can get the better of the Mariners if he plays a role and his side play to their best form.

“Everyone here is hurting and is feeling frustration,” Smeltz said.

“You wouldn-t expect anything different, The only way we-re going to change that is by going out and putting things right. We have seven games to go and we haven-t given up and I think this week is the first step.

“The table doesn-t lie, they have been really good. We have to focus on ourselves but in saying that we understand facing the best team is a hell of a task.

”Every time you play against them they play the same way, they know each other so well. Alistair has his own thoughts on how we can deal with that and we have a few things we are working on to combat that.”

While they can try and combat the teamwork of the Mariners there is one threat the Glory will really have to work on neutralising and that is veteran striker Daniel McBreen, who is having a banner season for the club and himself.

It-s an achievement Smeltz, a former Golden Boot winner is somewhat amazed at and knows he will be hard pushed to better the in-form Mariner, who he was full of praise for.

“Without knowing him too well he has always been a striker that puts in 100 per cent.

This season he is getting his reward, he is in a very good team and he has scored some good goals. You talk about confidence and as a striker when you get on that run things go your way and he-s continued it throughout the season. It-s great to see a bloke his age have this sort of season at this stage of his career.”