Over/under: Matt Simon will score five goals this season?

[Forum Phoenix]

*Edit double post*

 

[Forum Phoenix]

As a midfielder I think he could in most HAL squads for DM. Pretty Mile esque - missing the long range boot Mile had - and his passing range would still be a bit in question though... however I have seen him play some good balls.
More to the point though, he is faster than Mile, more of a threat on set pieces in the air, doesn't give anyone a moments peace, in a physical challenge for the ball is a handful for anyone and works as hard or harder than anyone for a full ninety.

All very good attributes and arguments for a DM imo.

 

[dibo]

As a midfielder I think he could in most HAL squads for DM. Pretty Mile esque - missing the long range boot Mile had - and his passing range would still be a bit in question though... however I have seen him play some good balls.
More to the point though, he is faster than Mile, more of a threat on set pieces in the air, doesn't give anyone a moments peace, in a physical challenge for the ball is a handful for anyone and works as hard or harder than anyone for a full ninety.

All very good attributes and arguments for a DM imo.

we've got rostyn griffiths and hutcho for that though.

 

[scottmac]

As a midfielder I think he could in most HAL squads for DM. Pretty Mile esque - missing the long range boot Mile had - and his passing range would still be a bit in question though... however I have seen him play some good balls.
More to the point though, he is faster than Mile, more of a threat on set pieces in the air, doesn't give anyone a moments peace, in a physical challenge for the ball is a handful for anyone and works as hard or harder than anyone for a full ninety.

All very good attributes and arguments for a DM imo.

All very good and well, but he would need to develop a sublime first touch under pressure to squeeze Griffiths or Hutch out of that position. You need to be able to recieve, control, look, turn and pass in that roll (not to mention dribble) and currently at striker he is not nailing the first 2 consistently albeit in an advanced position.

I agree that Matty has certian qualities which lend themselves to the DM role but isn't it a bit late in the piece to undergo such a drastic change in position? Especially when there will always be someone who can do that role better.

Matty IMO will always be a striker who defends his arse off. He will drift in and out of scoring form more than likely having red hot patches between long spells of uglyness.

One thing is for sure though you will never be left guessing if he is giving 100% or not and that will make him one of my most favourite players of all time no matter how many goals he scores.

 

[pommypete]

5

 

[Forum Phoenix]

After tonights game I'm dropping my goal tally.
BUT, I do think yes, he could do as good a job or better than Hutch or Griffiths from what i'm _consistently_ seeing in DM.

 

[Kareem]

All very good and well, but he would need to develop a sublime first touch under pressure to squeeze Griffiths or Hutch out of that position. You need to be able to recieve, control, look, turn and pass in that roll (not to mention dribble) and currently at striker he is not nailing the first 2 consistently albeit in an advanced position.

I agree that Matty has certian qualities which lend themselves to the DM role but isn't it a bit late in the piece to undergo such a drastic change in position? Especially when there will always be someone who can do that role better.

Matty IMO will always be a striker who defends his arse off. He will drift in and out of scoring form more than likely having red hot patches between long spells of uglyness.

One thing is for sure though you will never be left guessing if he is giving 100% or not and that will make him one of my most favourite players of all time no matter how many goals he scores.

+1

You cant just expect someone to play well in DM, because they have certain characteristics.
IMO Bojic had most of thos capabilities, + the major one that he had the mental game (Simon doesn't have the astute defensive mind- which is alright considering he is a striker...). And what was our biggest criticism of Bojic- was his passing and his touch.
And I think Simon would be the same...and even if he does put in some quality through balls at times- it's different for a DM.
You have to make short passes, buildup attacks. Hold the ball etc. If your a quality DM then sometimes you put through that defence splitting pass (ala Pirlo, Xabi Alonso etc.) but typically u leave that to your attackin mids (aka WeeMac and Perez). And we all know Hutch is criticised heavily for the backpassing, but sometimes (not always) that's the DMs best role, to hold the ball and simply distribute effectively.

Mind you last game vs Brisbane Hutch nor Griffiths could hold the ball...but I'll say that was a one off (hopefully)

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Against Heart he played as a DM regardless of what the sheet said, screening out skoko and got best on field.
He alos has played all over the park in his youth he said.

BUT, you can most certainly look at a players key strengths and attributes and look at allocating them across the park accordingly.
Stupid not to.

Or hey, sure, we can continue having a striker with a poor touch who can't dribble past players or shoot from range or create something for nothing - but is great at bustling, competing physically and closing down people.

sigh.

 

[marinermick]

Against Heart he played as a DM regardless of what the sheet said, screening out skoko and got best on field.
He alos has played all over the park in his youth he said.

BUT, you can most certainly look at a players key strengths and attributes and look at allocating them across the park accordingly.
Stupid not to.

Or hey, sure, we can continue having a striker with a poor touch who can't dribble past players or shoot from range or create something for nothing - but is great at bustling, competing physically and closing down people.

sigh.

Against Heart we went to draw or pinch a win and played ultra defensive. Simon had a job to do in that game and did it well but is in no way a permanent option in midfield.

This style of play is not sustainable over a season and therefore in more attacking games we need a defensive mid that can control the game, have a good touch and distribute well. That is why I am not convinved yet with Griffiths there but believe Hutch is a superior player in that position.

If Simon cannot do a job as striker we cannot be accomodating him in other positions, especially an area of the park that we are relatively strong in anyway.

 

[MagpieMariner]

Matty closed Skoko down in the first match very well, but I have to ask the question about Skoko's fitness. From memory he was subbed off in that game then was out injured for a few. I wouldn't argue if someone disagrees with me, but that was my impression.
I've said in the past (yeah, I know, ad nauseum) that we need a little nippy goal sneak along with one of our bazookas. What we have at present are two guys so alike (apart from their willingness to work - Matty is way in front there)that the oppo defence has it easy. It's a lot harder if you have two different types working together.
If you look back to Matty's golden period, he had Sasho beside him. As soon as Sash went, so did Matty's scoring form. In fact, so did the scoring form of the whole damn team, and we haven't yet got it back.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Your right Spike.
Skoko was not fully fit yet and this may well have accounted for a reasonable measure of his success.
Loss of Sasho is a keen observation and certainly pertinent.
Thoroughly agree and as many have, have believed we need a different combo for ages.
Sasho could and used to run at players. Get a fast version of Sash and you could be right Matty might well come good and then we'd be looking very solid. So fingers crossed Zalio works out.

 

[Wombat]

+1

You cant just expect someone to play well in DM, because they have certain characteristics.
IMO Bojic had most of thos capabilities, + the major one that he had the mental game (Simon doesn't have the astute defensive mind- which is alright considering he is a striker...). And what was our biggest criticism of Bojic- was his passing and his touch.
And I think Simon would be the same...and even if he does put in some quality through balls at times- it's different for a DM.
You have to make short passes, buildup attacks. Hold the ball etc. If your a quality DM then sometimes you put through that defence splitting pass (ala Pirlo, Xabi Alonso etc.) but typically u leave that to your attackin mids (aka WeeMac and Perez). And we all know Hutch is criticised heavily for the backpassing, but sometimes (not always) that's the DMs best role, to hold the ball and simply distribute effectively.

Mind you last game vs Brisbane Hutch nor Griffiths could hold the ball...but I'll say that was a one off (hopefully)

I think Kareem is right.

I don't see Simon as a DM and we have two solid players scrapping over that spot already.

Clearly we need a nippy good quality stiker (Disco and Kwas to be cut at end of season please) to link with either Simon or McBreen. Both are hard workers (McBreen has better touch and Simon better workrate) and both deserve a squad spot...whoever is in form starts with new striker.

 

[Matt--Simon]

Well his is certainly exceeding the expectations of many this season but the is still lots of room for improvement.

 

[the J Man]

what a game from the man .a quality goal and second to none on ground
im gunna lie on hylton moore park with my boy and say to him.
"this is where the great, matty simon played"

 

[Wee-mac]

Good goal by him, his first goal from outside the area that I can remeber.

 

[cbowden9000]

Good goal by him, his first goal from outside the area that I can remeber.

That's exactly what I was thinking

 

[MagpieMariner]

Great goal by Matty, but the assist must go to Patricio - the defence and also it seemed to me Eugene, were expecting Matty to pass to him for him to shoot. Great vision from Matty to see the opening and take it.

 

[bjw]

currently sitting second on the golden boot tally with 11 goals..

 

[priorpeter]

Good chance that it'll stay at 11.

 

[MagpieMariner]

Good chance that it'll stay at 11.

Unfortunately, I think you're right.

The great thing about Matty's tally is that he doesn't take free kicks (like van Dijk) or penalties (like Smeltz); not knocking those guys' achievements, but ALL of Matty's goals have come from getting down & dirty - nobody is compelled to stand back 10 yards or so while he has his shot.