By Krzysiek Moskal
What is good form? How about 6 goals in 6 games?
Patryk Malecki has stepped up his game and coincidentally has received a larger duty under new coach Robert Masskant. The troubled young winger/striker has had issues in the past with managers but has seem to found his groove under the new Wisla Krakow boss.
On the other hand there were rumors circulating that Polish boss Smuda has failed to give Malecki a shot because he had told the press he's only played a couple of good games. It was also rumored that Malecki and Smuda met in a coffee shop. Where Smuda told him to work on his defending and he would eventually get called up, Malecki replied with an offer saying I can play defensively and be of use to you and you (Smuda) should come watch a game of mine. Malecki reminisis the conversation as a very awkward one. As many of us already know and are not suprised by the lack of personal skills Smuda possesses. Lets find out if these are true.
Onto the questions and answers by Gazeta Krakowska translated by me for you! Enjoy!
Is the spring round so far the best of your career?
Malecki: Its only been 4 games, but if I continue to play like this and we win the Polish Championship then yes I will be able to say it is the best round of my career.
After the loss of several players, who were the deciders of games, do you feel more pressure on you?
Malecki: When the Brozek twins left along with Pawelek, I knew that Wisla had lost some important players. We are now left with only a couple of Polish players and I now feel more pressure and a higher responsibility. Fans stop me all over the city and tell me to play my best and they see me as the central player for our club. That is a huge responsibility, but I feel like I am not disappointing them.
You are playing very good in this round, and its nothing weird that the same topic comes up about your chances with our Polish National team. Coach Smuda said he met with you for coffee and now you know what you need to do to get called up.
Malecki: I am glad you asked me this question and I will clear it up. I never went with Smuda for a coffee and I am not a player that would contact Smuda for a meeting. It was actually a coincidence we met in a coffee shop in Krakow where we exchanged hello's I bought my coffee and sat down. That is when Smuda invited me to his table and told me that I need to work very hard and maybe one day I will call you up. He also added that I need to work on my defense and become a bigger part of it on my team. I replied to him maybe you should come to my game as I play both offense and defense every time a ball is lost I run back to help our wing back Erik Cikos on the wing. For me this was a weird conversation.
It seems you and Mr. Smuda don't have great chemistry?
Malecki: There is nothing to hide, I have nothing against him. But, maybe we just don't gel well together. And, I feel this more from him than me. The truth is this, we dont need to love each other and not even like one another. The most important thing is a good National squad. If he seems me on his team then good if not then okay. The world wont stop for the National team. The most important thing for me right now is Wisla.
Malecki is turning into a great player and I was very upset when he didn't get the call up, in his position sits Obraniak who has not been playing for his club team then you have Peszko fresh off an injury. Smuda needs to stop playing favorites and give the players who are in form a chance to showcase themselves.
Malecki has already represented Poland on the national stage with the U15, U16, U18, U19, U20, U21 and the national team with a combined record of 14 goals in 43 games played.
What do you think about Smuda's response and advice for Malecki?
