Kelly Smith

Kelly Smith - England Forward - World Cup 2007
squad no. 10

club: Arsenal
position: forward
age: 28
caps: 61
goals: 21

USA 0-3: Football England Rating 5

This was a massively disappointing end to the tournament for Kelly as she was unable to make any real impression on the American defence from her sparse possession.
Needed more help from her friends who perhpas expected too much from their star player. Top sides like the US can look after one player no matter how good she is unless someone else asks them a question or two as well.

Argentina 6-1: Football England Rating 9

Another tour de force from England's top player who ran the Argentinian defence ragged with her surging runs.
Won a penalty just after half time before scoring twice herself with expert finishes.
Someone else needs to approach her standards if England are to progress further, however.

Germany 0-0: Football England Rating 7

This was a more uneven display from Smith. The Germans, for all their talk before the game, were obviously worried about her and her forceful running won England several free kicks in dangerous areas as defenders dragged her down.
Wasted a couple of promising positions after half time, however, by trying to go alone with teammates well placed.
You can hardly blame her, however. As yet none of her forward colleagues have really looked convincing.

Japan 2-2: Football England Rating 9

Absolutely magnificent.
It took Kelly a while to get into her stride but she went on to completely dominate the game. After setting up several chances for other she took matters into her own hands with two fine goals and confirmed her billing as one of the worlds' top players.
Picked up a silly booking right at the end which could come back to haunt her and England.

Assessment:

Kelly Smith is undoubtedly England's finest player and a recognised world star. She has every gift a footballer could want, bar a right foot, and will be expected to be a major player at this tournament.

England would be crazy to expect their star player to do it all herself, however. Smith will be tightly marked and probably singled out for harsh treatment by the opposition. Without assistance she will probably be unable to carry England forward singlehandedly.

If her teammates can ask their own questions of the opposition and deflect some attention away from Smith though she could really shine.

Quick and strong as an ox in possession she loves driving at the opposition defence and packs a thunderous shot in her left foot.

Having been hampered by injury at Euro 2005 this is Smith's big chance to stamp her authority on a major tournament. Let's hope she takes it and we can genuinely glory in having a world class player for once.

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