Is Matt Smith Too Nice?

[tangerinedream]

Credit where it's due to the big striker with his 16 goals in all competitions given there's been precious little contributions from others in the side. We all know his strengths as well as limitations and if he's given the right kind of service then he will definitely score a lot more goals. We also know that he's an articulate and well spoken individual with his head screwed on, BUT, I've been asking the question to a few fellow supporters - is he too nice? Every week we see his shirt literally pulled off his back and held down illegally (as was very evident against Forest Green yesterday) with referees regularly choosing to turn a blind eye to his manhandling and annoyingly so given that they're supposed to have tightened up on these sort of offences (particularly in the 18 yard box). Smithy tends to take the treatment dished out to him with surprising grace given it happens every game but just so often I'd maybe like to see him have a bit of a 'dig' against the offenders to let them know that he's not to be messed with. In the 'old' days big bustling centre forwards were well versed in the art of 'physical' competitiveness and I just wish once in a while Matt Smith would hand back a little of what he receives!

[chipbarm]

He probably knows that given the poor quality of L2 refs and linos their shirt tugging and grappling will go unpunished whilst he gets booked for retaliation.

[je85]

Yesterday even Smiths shorts were being pulled running in on a ball from a free kick 1st half.

Not so much yesterday but this season Matt Smith has dragged defenders down as much as it has been happening to him. Whether the refs are being told or it’s a perception, but my theory is he is seen as an instigator of these tussles. Location of some of these ‘fouls’ that are given for Smith is verging on hilarious this season, but my biggest issue is the refs focus on Smith. I was in the west stand yesterday and first half both Watson and Tilt should’ve been awarded pens for holding. And that’s before you get to the horse collar on Lund in the build up for the goal. What I struggled with yesterday was the refs assistant offering zero support to the ref, he would have seen both instances clear as day.

There is a complacency about the refs in our league this season around holding, persistent fouling, and basic time keeping is shocking but they are an endangered species I keep being told.

[tangerinedream]

Jan 7, 2024 13:58:31 GMT je85 said:

Yesterday even Smiths shorts were being pulled running in on a ball from a free kick 1st half.

Not so much yesterday but this season Matt Smith has dragged defenders down as much as it has been happening to him. Whether the refs are being told or it’s a perception, but my theory is he is seen as an instigator of these tussles. Location of some of these ‘fouls’ that are given for Smith is verging on hilarious this season, but my biggest issue is the refs focus on Smith. I was in the west stand yesterday and first half both Watson and Tilt should’ve been awarded pens for holding. And that’s before you get to the horse collar on Lund in the build up for the goal. What I struggled with yesterday was the refs assistant offering zero support to the ref, he would have seen both instances clear as day.

Two things. Given Matt Smith's size the referee's tend to be less sympathetic to forwards with his build then if he were say 5 ft 10 ins. I do agree with you that he does tend to get involved in shirt pulling contests far too often instead of making a clean attempt at getting to the ball which I think would give him an overall better chance of gaining a free kick and while I don't advocate him kicking lumps out of the opposition defenders a little 'reminder' of his proximity now and again would serve as a reminder not to mess with him.