By Jesse Fink
August 28th 2008 @ 1:01am
All aboard Luke Wilkshire’s Russian ark
I’ve made a point of singling out Harry Kewell for his bravery in joining Turkish giants Galatasaray. Now I’m extending the compliment, and deservedly, to Luke Wilkshire for his extraordinary move from Dutch side FC Twente to FC Dynamo Moscow, home of the great Lev Yashin.
Extraordinary for two things.
First, the size of his fee.
$10 million is a gobsmacking amount of money for a player that only a few seasons ago was wasting away in lower-tier English football. Second, the choice of destination. Wilkshire becomes the first Australian to play in the Russian Premier League, so he becomes yet another of the great trailblazers of the Australian football diaspora.
Years ago I edited my SBS Sport colleague Matthew Hall’s excellent book about Australian players abroad, The Away Game, which documented the paths of Joe Marston, Craig Johnston, Eddie Krncevic and Robbie Slater, among many others, to English and European football.
The first wave of football migration was to England. Then to western Europe. For a brief while it was South-East Asia and Japan. Then it became eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Now it is becoming western Asia and Russia.
Far from being a comedown from the leagues of western Europe, the recent performances of Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Cup and Russia at Euro 2008 has shown the Russian game measures up. So, from a career development point of view, this is far from a bad move for Wilkshire and also, crucially, brings him closer to his great mentor, Russia coach Guus Hiddink.
It was Hiddink who recognised Wilkshire’s qualities when he was flapping about as a squad player for the Socceroos in 2005.
Hiddink fast-tracked Wilkshire into the first XI as a utility player, able to switch from defence to attack to virtually anywhere on the field, and made a virtue of his fitness. Other players with similar traits – Brett Emerton, Jason Culina, just two examples – have gone on, like Wilkshire, to be vital cogs in the Socceroos machine.
(Whether that has been to the detriment of creative mien in the side – to wit: the continuing omission of Nicky Carle – is not for me to debate. I will just get my head shot off if I dare raise Nickygate again, though I will say for the record here that his absence from the just-announced squad for the Netherlands friendly and Uzbekistan WCQ really is beyond the pale.)
But it’s clear to me, from watching the game and my own insights gleaned from discussions with Pim Verbeek – that Wilkshire is the sort of player our Dutch coaching mafia wants to see springing forth from our youth development programs.
Not too flashy, but fast, nimble, adaptable. Able to follow instructions and not talk back.
Any kid wanting to break into the Socceroos would do well to study the game of Wilkshire closely. (Whatever you do, fellas, just don’t take any notice of Nicky Carle, if you know what’s good for you.)
Undoubtedly Wilkshire has benefited greatly from Hiddink’s enormous influence and munificence in getting this move to Russia but he’s had to back up that hype with performance.
I was not a great fan of Wilkshire when he first started playing for the Socceroos but few critics, including me, could quibble that he hasn’t earned his stripes as a Socceroo. He’s also been putting away some valuable goals in the Eredivisie, something he has yet to do for the Socceroos in nearly 30 internationals.
But they will come. It is just a matter of time.
And I will be cheering him all the way. To be the first Socceroo to play in Russian football is a historic achievement.
поздравления, Luke.
Jesse Fink's columns now appear every Wednesday and Friday on The Roar.
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Midfielder said | August 28th 2008 @ 3:07am | Report comment
Good move IMO top club and Champion League matches.
Pippinu said | August 28th 2008 @ 8:48am | Report comment
The Eredivisie ain’t such a bad place to be, in particular, when we consider the direction we have gone with our NT coaching staff in recent years.
Not saying it’s a bad move (the proof of the pudding will be in the eating) but any move away from the Eredivisie should always be carefully considered.
Sammy C said | August 28th 2008 @ 9:16am | Report comment
Interesting move for Wilkshire, particularly given McLaren has just rolled into town - anything to do with the move perhaps?
Maybe…. I tend to think Twente jumped at the $10m transfer fee, when you consider Grella moved to Rovers for around $4m it’s almost too good to refuse?
It will be interesting to see how he fares - the Russian League is getting alot of kudos presently and thier national players have been more and more in the spotlight since Euro. Arsharvin and Pavlegieggeigeigeheigechenko rumours of joining Spurs for eg.
Tony in Canberra said | August 28th 2008 @ 9:24am | Report comment
I have always rated Wilkshire. I think he’s a good player who has copped a lot of unnecessary shite from a lot of people… Hopefully he goes well in sunny Russia.
And Jess, I can’t help but bring it up… No Carle? Because he refused to play v China, or because he’s having a shocking start to the year with Crystal Palace? IMO, Richard Garcia has the nous, the workrate, the creativity, and the GOALS to take Carle’s place every time.
Pippinu said | August 28th 2008 @ 10:04am | Report comment
Garcia made a rather tentative debut the other week, but followed it up with a sensational (and intelligent) goal for Hull on the weekend.
One would think that if Garcia manages to assist Hull in staying in the top flight this season, that he will probably leap frog Carle on the pecking order.
Slippery Jim said | August 28th 2008 @ 10:12am | Report comment
Pippu, any comparison of the A-League to other world leagues is always a little subjective, however I was interested to read the comments of the Roar’s dutch signing Sergio Van Dijk, who compared the standard of the A-League to the middle-ranges of the Eredivisie. The Eredivisie is ranked 9th in UEFA’s top ten National League ranking, and Russia is 6th behind the Bundesliga.
I would hesitate to say any move to these smaller leagues is a great move for good player, and still disagree that Kewell’s move to Turkey was a great one, football-wise. Sure, he’s scoring goals, but even if he was playing in the Championship or the A-League he would be too, it still does not equate to a great career move. The same applies to Wilkshire, to say it is a great move simply because he “becomes yet another of the great trailblazers of the Australian football diaspora” is not a good enough reason.
Jesse, a complimentary (if slightly patronizing) article about Wilkshire, following one about Kewell, what’s with all the positivity? Are we to assume that your love life has taken a turn for the better, or have you discovered some sort of inner Zen tranquility? Keep it up is all I can say…
jimbo said | August 28th 2008 @ 10:35am | Report comment
Russian football has a cash flow problem - how to launder it and spend it without attracting too much government attention.
10 million for Luke, compared to 1M for Nicky or even 4M for Grella - nice to have a mentor working with the Russian mafia.
Luke is a solid player but not the sort of person who is going to bring in a few thousand more through the turnstiles.
Good luck to him and I hope he comes back to Oz and invests in an A-League club when he’s close to retirement.
Pippinu said | August 28th 2008 @ 10:39am | Report comment
Jimbo
heh heh, a timely dose of reality - as always!
Slippery Jim said | August 28th 2008 @ 10:47am | Report comment
The word is that Nick Carle asked to be excused from NT duties this time around due to a personal commitment (compliments of KB’s email to the FA). Which means Nick Carle pikes out yet again.
Koala Bear said | August 28th 2008 @ 11:07am | Report comment
Slippery Jim,
Sadly true, however, we still need to hear from Nicky, why, and it may be marital problems involved. As I did read once his wife found it hard living in Turkey when he was there .. I will give him the benefit of the doubt for a bit longer..
~~~~~~~
KB
jimbo said | August 28th 2008 @ 11:07am | Report comment
Thanks Slippery,
I hope Carle hasn’t done a Zelic and given up on ever playing for the Socceroos again, out of sheer frustration.
He was no chance to start anyway - its going to be a very tight defensive team that Pimbo picks.
Ah well, I look forward to when he comes back to the A-League to play for the Jets or the Blues.
Midfielder said | August 28th 2008 @ 11:12am | Report comment
As an aside do you think Russian Paul will follow FC Dynamo Moscow
Slippery Jim said | August 28th 2008 @ 11:15am | Report comment
Jimbo, Grella was transferred for AU$8.6 Mil, not $4M…
The extra $4.6 million may neither here nor there for you, but it is the kind of amount I would notice going missing from my wallet
Slippery Jim said | August 28th 2008 @ 11:20am | Report comment
You’re right, KB, perhaps I should follow Jesse’s lead and start being far more charitable to our Aussie battler players…however if Carle plays for Crystal Palace over the same period I will be darkly suspicious that he has succumbed to the old Club before Countryitis.
The Bear said | August 28th 2008 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
Well, Slippery Jim, I am surprised. I thought there’d be nothing more that would excite you, then to sink the boot in some more. As if you would even want Pim to select him, and give him some game time. After all your contempt for the guy, i sincerely find it difficult to see you falling over yourself to have signed a petition for Carle’s fair and reasonable inclusion.
For someone who tries to pass himself as a rational and intelligent being on this blog, you have exercised nothing short of a personal vendetta against Carle, or is it merely because Fink rates him. Ahh, a personal vendetta against Fink.
It’s becoming clear now. Your “disappointment” of a stream of positive Fink articles, lol. Someone is a little jealous, methinks.
Graciously,
The Bear
dasilva said | August 28th 2008 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
I was once a wlkshire skeptic but now I really rate him for the national team especially if he plays as a right fullback freeing up emerton to attack like it did against Qatar. Wilkshire is a much better player than David Carney. Carney may be more technical and flashy but Wilkshire offers more solid in the back and best of all he can pass and cross the ball creating decent chances to the forwards. His combinations with Emerton are excellent.Carney is the worse passer in the National team and probably the olympics squad as well and therefore should not be playing for the soccerroos unless chipperfield or kewell is injured.
Good luck in Russia.
Slippery Jim said | August 28th 2008 @ 1:09pm | Report comment
The Bear, imagine you are a fireman. There is a raging housefire endangering the lives of a family. Should you turn around and berate some poor fireman who is doing his best to put out the fire, or should you address the main issue, ie helping put out the fire yourself. Why do you choose on your first post on this article to comment on my comment? Is it because my comments are of more interest, or are more emotive to you then Jesse’s? Are you becoming a Slippery Voyeur? Or do you have a recently developed personal vendetta against me? Why not do Jesse the respect of addressing his article first, before getting hung up on my humble thoughts. I’m just some nobody like yourself with no idea, don’t take what I say too seriously, if not for my sake then think of your health
Far from being dissapointed, I rather like this new positive, commending Jesse.
Far from having a personal Vendetta against Carle, I have only ever called for moderation from those with unrealistic views of his ability. I have always consistently said he is a good player, just not “great”. Pim, Guus, and others obviously feel the same, all of whom have a great deal of football pedigree. See Mandic’s recent comments if you don’t understand why this is beneficial for his career…
I hope Carle does well, however not do the detriment of other, better Australian players. To promote a player for reasons other than player merit is counterproductive.
dasilva said | August 28th 2008 @ 1:40pm | Report comment
How good of a move of Harry Kewell to turkey is determine by how successful he is in the UEFA champions league which is the main reason why he is there. If galatasaray flop there then perhaps Harry chosen the wrong club. If galatasaray make a run in the round of 16 which is not imposible then it would have been a great move
vicentin said | August 28th 2008 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
dasilva - gala got knocked out this morning I think.
SJ - you’re calling other people negative? That takes the cake - or the pudding that Pippinu was talking about ….
jimbo said | August 28th 2008 @ 2:02pm | Report comment
Slippery,
Sammy C said it was 4M for Grella not me.
We continue to disagree about Carle and if you wouldn’t pick him in your team fair enough.
I don’t have any unrealistic views about his ability at all, when he is given the time to prove himself he will be one of the Socceroos best players, but he looks as though he will give up on the Socceroos and end up an exile like Zelic, who I also think is one of the best players Australia has ever produced that wasn’t given a fair go and gave up in disgust.
Whatever d1ckhead we have running the Socceroos, I will always support the team and keep attending the games and cheering them on from the comfort of my lounge room, if I can’t be there as I have always done since I was a little boy.
Slippery Jim said | August 28th 2008 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
vicentin, haven’t you read my lengthy and nauseatingly frequent posts about how good Chelsea, Lampard, Scott McDonald, Cahill, Kewell, are etc etc etcetera? Who am I calling negative anyway? Inferring that from what I have posted above as the main gist of my comments is totally disproportionate - a negative person would have criticized the article rather than commenting on how good it was to read something positive, surely? Why don’t we move away from me and my ultimately meaningless opinions and onto the bigger issues as per the main article…or don’t you have anything to say about that, Vicentin, since your very first comment, like The Bear’s, is nothing to do with the thread…
Pippinu said | August 28th 2008 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
sj
in fairness to Vicentin, the fact that gala got knocked out this morning does have a little bit to do with the thread, since Kool’s moves there did get a mention somewhere along the line.
Anyway, the pudding my dear friends - it’s all about the pudding!
Slippery Jim said | August 28th 2008 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
Pippu, your post about eating puddings made me hungry…after large quantities eating chicken and chips my blood sugar is back to normal and I am less grouchy…*phew* all this being nice and positive is hard work - I tell you, I’m copping it from all sides today - Vicentin says I am negative, on another Roar blog some guy tells me I’m a glass-half-full person, I can’t win!
fatboi-v- said | August 28th 2008 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
i find it very hard to like luke wilshire and for a while he was part of the pathetic foursome (wilshire, kisnorbo, sterjovski, holman) that i despised from the national team. im happy for him. he’s obviously done very well with his limited ability and in football teams we need our fair share of steady, safe workhorses who will consistantly do the job. Right back looks like the perfect spot for him and this will release emerton down the right wing as he is much better going forward.
RE: Carle
i fear something horrible has happend. i have no idea what it may be. perhaps a breakdown between Pim Verbleak and Nicky i duno. I AM OUTRAGED at his non-selection. it defies logic and if selection is based on pure footballing qualities then Carle would be one of the first picked. Maybe Pim and Arnold has turned our beloved socceroos into a glorified shop window and visa requirement satisfaction exercise? ok his club form for crystal palace may be a little off right now but at least he has a club that he plays first team football for unlike SOME….. oh dear i want answers
Tony in Canberra said | August 28th 2008 @ 2:54pm | Report comment
Jimbo - Zelic quit because they wouldn’t make him Australian captain, if I remember correctly? He also didn’t get along with Farina - there was too much accumulated crankiness!!
I don’t think there was ever a time where Zelic was left on the outer but again I’m happy to be proved wrong. I wonder how Ned’s finding Georgia at the moment?
(Insert another Garcia plug!)
Tony in Canberra said | August 28th 2008 @ 2:57pm | Report comment
I also meant to add - Milligan is an overrated disgrace to the national jerseys (both adidas and nike versions ;)) and if he’s getting caps to fill a visa requirement then the whole setup is back in the dark ages far as I think. And that’s not too far.
Pippinu said | August 28th 2008 @ 2:58pm | Report comment
Tony
my memory of the Zelic v Frankie riff goes back to a friendly played in Australia, Zelic made the long trip from Germany, and then sat on the bench the whole game. He vowed from that point on that he would never play for the green and gold again.
It was most unfortunate that we lost one of our very best players ever a touch too early in his career - on the flip side - should we really have to put up with players acting so petulantly?
The Bear said | August 28th 2008 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
Could not be bothered reading Slippery Jim’s posts anymore. I would rather shave my balls with a rabid possum. Thankfully, many on here know an honest point of view. Interestingly how many caps has Holman got now? I wonder if he needed them for his own Visa requirements in Holland. Anyone?
Graciously,
The Bear
Tony in Canberra said | August 28th 2008 @ 3:51pm | Report comment
Thanks Pippinu - I was stretching to remember the specifics bout Ned v Frank. my hard livin’ sometimes affects what part of my memory does work good an that…
But your point about petulance is agreed - hence the Milligan comment.that guy seems to have a free pass no matter what happens.
Slippery Jim said | August 28th 2008 @ 3:56pm | Report comment
Don’t kid yourself, The Bear, my posts are obviously the first thing you read on every blog, followed by the article
Koala Bear said | August 28th 2008 @ 7:44pm | Report comment
Slippery Jim, is Nostradamus
don’t forget it Lards .. Chelsea for four trophies; it is written…. 
~~~~~~~
KB
The Bear said | August 28th 2008 @ 8:33pm | Report comment
Tony, I agree whole heartedly with that perspective. Even if the kid was the next Craig Moore, how can the FFA invest so much in him, when they know his track record? LOL, they didn’t even play him at CB at the Olympics? What shop window ??
The kid is going to think the NT revolves around him pretty quickly with all these “concessions” and “leg ups”. And he ain’t even that good. I know, i know it’s all getting way off topic.
In a round about way, it actually helps me respect Luke’s career that little bit more. Wow, i feel better, already!
Graciously,
The Bear
Slippery Jim said | August 28th 2008 @ 8:47pm | Report comment
KB, thanks for the vote of confidence
by the way, re your link, is Doris the one in the middle? If so rowrrrr!
jimbo said | August 28th 2008 @ 9:01pm | Report comment
There were a few times when Zelic was not played or substituted early after making a great effort to come all the way to Australia. The worst (and last) case was against Brazil where they had a public slanging match on the sideline as Ned was dragged off by Farina.
He captained the national team at 19 (our youngest ever) and was no mug. He was often the best player on the park when he was substituted - bizarre really.
We don’t know all the facts behind the rift with Farina and apparently got very nasty.
I think Farina should have had more maturity and not acted so petulantly himself, so don’t put all the blame on Ned.
The Socceroos management team made no effort to try and heal the rift and it was a great loss for Australia football.
Carle is starting to get the same fed up look about him, maybe he has personal problems.
Definite rift with Arnie and now starting with Pimbo.
Another great shame for OZ football from my point of view, but seems as though there are a few who will disagree.
Midfielder said | August 28th 2008 @ 9:19pm | Report comment
Tony in Canberra
Ned explained his side of the story about two years ago on SBS. Goes something like this. Ned was in the middle of contract negotiations and his club said do no go. So Ned phones up crankie Frankie and say is it urgent I come this time as there is a lot of heat at this end. Frank say its urgent you must come.
So Ned tells his club to get stuffed he is going to play for his country putting at risk both his contract and maybe get a rep as a difficult player with other clubs. Ned gets to Australia and Frankie for the first time says you are on the bench ………. Ned explodes I put everything on the line ………. how can I explain to club that I fly home to sit on the bench. Neds leaves and gutless former management allow the above to happen.
dasilva said | August 28th 2008 @ 10:46pm | Report comment
All this Nick Carle obsession is rather annoying. People in Bristol City value his tough tackling and hard work ethics for the club and decent passing and thats why they play him as defensive midfielder ala Vinnie Grella where he succeeded as the first ball out of defence. THey tried playing him as an attacking midfielder but it didn’t work as he wasn’t able to do a creative defence splitting pass for his team. He was sold off because they had a lot of DM in the squad. THe fact is his weakness is the ability to do defence splitting passes at the highest level. He has two assist in his ENglish career and both were in one match. THe fact is Vinnie Grella and Valeri are better DM than him and he hasn’t shown the ability to be useful flair player for any non aleague team. I don’t believe this rubbish that he can create a goal out of nothing and everyone just accepted that as fact when he hasn’t really shown it yet. You can argue that Bristol could have perservere and give Carle more chance as an attacking midfielder but he didn’t take the chances when he had it. I’m all for giving Carle a chance but I’m bemuse when people think he should walk in to the first XI.
Nick Carle had a chance against CHina but blew it. The fact that he blown an opportunity to show and prove Pim Verbeek and all his doubters wrong and cement himself more game time in later match has serious lower my opinion whether he has the mentality for this level. Hope he proves me wrong as I love his work in the A-leaguebut somethings tells me he will be an underachiever for the Soccerroos. Ever since Carle chose not to play against China, I’m all for Carle geting shafted.
Jesse - \Why don’t you talk about Carle choosing not to play against CHina. What about the rumours where Carle chose to skip out against Netherlands and Uzbekistan? Instead you just blame it on Pim.
dasilva said | August 28th 2008 @ 10:48pm | Report comment
By the way, what was the issues between Okon and Zelic. I heard that they absolutely despise each other. Is that true and what was that about? Was it just the Captaincy?
jimbo said | August 28th 2008 @ 10:56pm | Report comment
dasilva,
we’ll stop sticking up for Carle when you people stop criticising him unfairly.
Harry Kewell chose not to play against China, are you all for Harry Kewell getting shafted.
Vince Grella chose not to play against China, are you all for Vince Grella getting shafted.
And on it goes.
If Carle chose not to play for Australia then he may have a good reason for not wanting to play.
Maybe he’s just fed up with the criticism and getting left on the bench and has given up on ever playing for his country under Pimbo.
fatboi-v- said | August 28th 2008 @ 11:14pm | Report comment
oh and lets not forget that pim’s favourite footballer Brett Hoffman also refused to play against China so if nicky carle is going to be banished to the international wilderness then so can a lot of other regulars.
dasilva said | August 28th 2008 @ 11:27pm | Report comment
Jimbo
Maybe I was a bit harsh, I certainly don’t like him getting shafted. I say the most memorable moment in the A-league for me when I was at Hindmarsh in the preliminary final watching Nicky Carle tearing Adelaide apart where Newcastle should of have a place in the grand final. I would actually say with all things even, I’m a fan of Nicky Carle and take an interest in how he is doing in England reading about his contribution to Bristol City.
I’m all for him getting some time for National Team. I like him to be starting in friendly matches to see how he stands up but I don’t like it when people think he can waltz to the 1st XI and when people say he is a once in a generation and our most creative player. He has never proven that. There is a good reason why he was played as a DM because he couldn’t show his creative ability to his manager. I’m hoping he can show it this season but people have to realise he hasn’t done anything yet.
The difference is that Viduka and Kewell and Grella missing out is that they are virtually assured of a spot for the first XI if fit. Carle isn’t and really it was his chance to claim a spot. His not willing to fight a spot in a team when he is already not getting game time. That’s why it is so much more dissapointing then the Viduka and the Kewell.
If it turns out to be marital problems and Nicky Carle gets a divorce or something like that. Then I’ll apologise but you can’t blame people for putting question marks on his mentality. The things is that he never mention personal reason, he just says he was tired as a reason for missing out against China. Now if he said personal problems and leave it like that then perhaps people will be more forgiving.
In any case it is absolutely baffling that Jesse Fink doesn’t even mention the fact that he chose not to play. Now if you want to defend him and say he has good personal reason then fine but to completely ignore the issue and just pretend it never happens just because it makes Carle look bad makes Jesse pretty negligent journalist. He has many times wrote articles questioning integrity of people with far more circumstantial evidence than this (Arnold selection was based on self interest). To not even mention this is rather disappointin and make him look very one eyed (not that he ever denied it)
dasilva said | August 28th 2008 @ 11:34pm | Report comment
Jesse Fink blamed Pim Verbeek for not selecting Nick Carleagainst China. THat turns out to be untrue. He never made a retraction of comments. SOme people may call that spreading lies and defamation.
Midfielder said | August 28th 2008 @ 11:47pm | Report comment
When your not in the side and you get an offer to play in a friendly against a team like Holland with no more games before the WCQ’s and you say no ………. that says something to me ……… make your own calls but I think young NC over the years has had some very poor advise and if the rumors are true its a bit of the tennis Dad and if so that is sad as this was a very foolish call on his behalf.
The Bear said | August 29th 2008 @ 8:49am | Report comment
He was offered Netherlands squad? If this is true (i have yet to see a quote) then something very wrong must have happened. And dasilva, wow! let it out, amigo. If players like Holman can be fast tracked over the same period of time (due to Arnie’s interim fudgings) and now said player can pick and choose his games, then double standards are creeping into our media, and supporters. Homlan surely has not proved his worth. Fink, however, is losing some objectivity, i agree.
Graciously,
The Bear
Pippinu said | August 29th 2008 @ 9:05am | Report comment
Re Zelic again - I agree Farina was clearly not blameless and did not manage the situation well - but we still can’t have players dictating terms to the NT manager.
The Bear said | August 29th 2008 @ 9:49am | Report comment
Pip, is it ok to have players like Milligan acting like a lost sheep for the last 12 months, and Managers taking pity on him, and compromising NT values? It’s the same sh1t, but different bucket, imo. Neither is good for the game.
Graciously,
The Bear
dasilva said | August 29th 2008 @ 11:08am | Report comment
I don’t like Holman and I rate Carle is better than him. However what criteria do I get that conclusion, by watcjomg Carle play and seeing he has better technique than Brett Holman but that is purely subjective. Objectively has that better technique actually translated to a more creative and effective attacking options. Holman played in the dutch league and actually performs well and scores the goals, Carle plays in English second division as a defensive midfielder as he couldn’t put in the assist and the goals. In terms of performance has he done anything to prove he is better than Holman and Pim has every right to put Holman in front of Carle. I believe Carle has more potential than Holman but that potential hasn’t been shown yet in actual performance.
in terms of Holman missing out. Yes it was dissapointing that Holman chose not to play but he is still pretty much assured of being a impact player for the soccerroos. He is much higher in the pecking order than Carle. I was hoping Holmans overconfidence in his place in the NT bite him back but then no one perform well against China. Would that have change if Carle choose to play?
My rant on Carle is based on frustration of seeing a player who I rate not fulfilling his potential and this is why I’m singled out Carle not Holman or Milligan. It is double standard as I believe Carle can reach a higher standard then both of them
The Bear said | August 29th 2008 @ 11:26am | Report comment
dasilva, i hear what you are saying. It’s just seems that now with Milligan, that professional generousity is very much biased. The potential in Carle, one which Tim Cahill no less, agrees with you, me and many others, will ever only be just that. Potential. Did Nick not give Arnie the propper repect, lol. Perhaps Nick maintained his integrity too much, and did not follow this goon’s instructuions to the “T” after that Nigeria game (Baan’s selection, no doubt).
Such speculation is fanciful, but if unearthing the ole Zelic issue teaches us anything, is that it’s not always about football. Much to the ire and fury of us football lovers.
Graciously,
The Bear
dasilva said | August 29th 2008 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
There’s rumours that Dario Vidosic is now trying to play for Croatia after his missed selection for the Olympics despite being the stand out players in the qualifiers. This sounds familiar - Josip Simunic refuse to play for Australia after Farina didn’t pick him for the Sydney Olympics.
Arnold - you stuff us again
The Bear said | August 29th 2008 @ 4:35pm | Report comment
For every one of us who lay blame at Arnold’s feet, there’ll be a numpty who will write off Dario for the mere thought of swapping flags. Dario should have been there, he had the fitness and skill, what more do you want?
Graciously,
The Bear
dasilva said | August 29th 2008 @ 4:39pm | Report comment
Honestly both should get the stick. If you have shafted by the national side. THen you should prove the coach wrong by playing well instead of taking the easier option of playing for another country. Eddie Bosnar has refused to play for Croatia despite having Frank Farina wrecking his international careers and receiving many offers from Croatia before. I like to see him get at least one cap for that dedication and it was a shame that the japanese club didn’t release him for the friendly match against Ghana where he would have definately play.
Nevertheless - Dario Vidosic to me was a bigger blunder then Djite and Burns when Vidosic played well in the qualifiers and Djite and Burns flopped and would have been there due to potential only.