By Pippinu -
August 14th 2009 @ 12:43am
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Taking a look at the Socceroos’ depth
The Australian Socceroos during a training session at Ballymore. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Following on from the terrific result the Socceroos got yesterday morning against the Irish on their home ground, discussion amongst some Roar participants naturally turned to next year’s 23 man squad.
I know this subject has come up and recent months. All I can say is, expect it to keep coming up until the team is officially selected!
One reason for the current interest is the realisation that our depth is perhaps as good as it has ever been – and I mean in the history of the Socceroos.
That’s the good news.
But it also means that something like 10 to 12 players are going to be unlucky in missing the cut.
So as a discussion point, I decided to think of three current or potential Socceroos for every position, except for four strikers and four goalkeepers (4-2-3-1 formation), giving a list of 35 (the squad of 23 plus twelve emergencies).
I’ve shown the current age against each player for information. For the sake of convenience and clear presentation, where players are capable of more than one role, I’ve slotted them in where I think they fit best.
The only question I have for you is this: who would those twelve emergencies be?
Goalkeeper
Mark Schwarzer, 36
Adam Federici, 24
Brad Jones, 27
Michael Petkovic, 33
Right back
Brett Emerton, 30
Luke Wilkshire, 27
Rhys Williams, 21
Left back
Scott Chipperfield, 33
Dave Carney, 25
Shane Stefanutto, 29
Centre back
Lucas Neill, 31
Craig Moore, 33
Patrick Kisnorbo, 28
Matthew Spiranovic, 21
Adrian Madaschi, 27
Jade North, 26
Defensive mid
Vinnie Grella, 29
Jason Culina, 29
Mile Jedinak, 25
Jacob Burns, 31
Carl Valeri, 25
Billy Celeski, 24
Right mid
Mark Bresciano, 29
Richard Garcia, 27
Dario Vidosic, 22
Left mid
Harry Kewell, 30
Michael Zullo, 20
Aaron Mooy, 18
Central attacking mid
Timmy Cahill, 29
Brett Holman, 25
Nick Carle, 27
Striker
Josh Kennedy, 26
Scott McDonald, 25
Nikita Rukavytsya, 22
Bruce Djite, 22
This sort of presentation gives a good indication of the overall balance of the team and requires some tough decisions.
Some names are obviously making up the numbers at this point, and would be the first to drop off (Celeski and Zullo), unless they did something incredible in the A-League this season.
Others were very hard to fit in, such as Sterjovski and Coyne.
While others again are a chance to replace one of the three in a particular position. And I think Scott Jamieson would be in that category given the uncertainty surrounding that left back spot.
Anyway, no whining or complaining, this is merely to kick start discussion. So off to it!
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Midfielder said | August 14th 2009 @ 1:38am | Report comment
Just to add a couple more to your list Troisi, Holland, Simon, Burns Nathen(playing in Greece) , Inman, Beauchamp, Herd, Danning (SFC), Williams (Fury) … plus a heap of others
The squad is looking very deep
tifosi said | August 14th 2009 @ 5:30am | Report comment
Pip, i see you now have Guru status !!!
It seems Australia is finally developing a list of young players that will take us into the future.
Who Pim picks for his world cup squad will be very interesting to see.
dasilva said | August 14th 2009 @ 7:12am | Report comment
Yeah I agree with Midfielder that Troisi should be in that list. As far as I remember, Troisi started more matches and scored more goals then Bruce Djite last season when they were both playing at the same club.
He’s been unlucky to miss the squad.
James Holland is playing as a defensive midfielder for AZ Alkmaar Reserve team and was in the latest socceroos squad. So I probably drop off Celeski from contention and put James Holland there.
dasilva said | August 14th 2009 @ 7:47am | Report comment
Also I would put Sterjovski to be in front of Vidosic and Garcia as second choice right winger.
He is the type of player that performs better for the Socceroos then for their clubs and you got to respect his clinical finishing.
sheek said | August 14th 2009 @ 7:25am | Report comment
Just talking to a soccer-’expert’ work colleague this morning, it’s refreshing to see the ‘next’ generation starting to show their wares.
Unfortunately, our conversation was interrupted by an alarm turn-out. Hopefully, I can get the benefit of his knowledge later on.
Midfielder said | August 14th 2009 @ 9:05am | Report comment
You’re right Sheek the Goldern Generation (a name some have coined the current squad) is being replaced by some new boys who appear to be stepping up to the mark….
Kazama said | August 14th 2009 @ 8:56am | Report comment
Sorry to hijack your thread Guru Pip (will comment if I can find time today) but:
A reminder to all the Roarers that we have our own EPL fantasy league over at the official site. If anyone’s keen make sure you get your team in before the season starts tomorrow night! You too Pip!
The Roar Fantasy EPL 09/10 League – Code: 41532-13109
http://fantasy.premierleague.com/
Pippinu said | August 14th 2009 @ 6:37pm | Report comment
ok – I’m in!!
drew777 said | August 14th 2009 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Some players seemed to be placed in wrong positions. ie:the attacking Celeski in a defensive holding role?
I think the key to this squad is having Kewell fit and in form. Everything seems to work better when he is on top of his game. I know it is sad to say, but Dukes is no longer needed in this squad. Yes, he holds the ball up well, but we have Kennedy who can do the same AND score more often. With McDonald there to add the pace if we need an injection, Viduka becomes obsolete.
My only concern is the fact that the squad is ageing. Most of the preferred players are around 30 upwards. I know we went through this when Popovic, Muscat, and the likes left, but I just do not see the immediate quality players waiting to replace the guys who are set to retire. After all, when Dukes left we were left very bare up front and our striking stocks were discussed for a long time. I recall The World Game holding lengthy discussions over how to best solve our striking problem.
Now I can’t help to wonder if the same will happen when some of the older guys leave the squad like Moore, Neil, Kewell, Cahill, Bresciano, Cullina, Emerton, Schwarzer, and Grella. Now that list makes up most of our first choice line up. 9 ageing players is a hell of a lot worse than 3 or 4 as it was when Poppers.
Pippinu said | August 14th 2009 @ 9:14am | Report comment
There are a stack of players around 29 to 31 (our very best are actually in that group) – all of them played together last WC and they will be the basis for the next squad.
So as far as next year’s WC campaign goes – I’d see that as a bit of a positive.
But this fact does get me thinking that the likes of Moore, Chippers and Dukes (all 33+), are going to struggle to make the squad – I would say that no more than one can get through just on the basis of maintaining some balance (depending on injuries, etc, so I wouldn’t rule them out completely).
We’ve said a few times before on this forum that there appears to be a bit of a generation gap around 24 to 28 years of age – and that might be telling in the next campaign.
Having said that, we appear to be quite blessed in the 21 to 23 age group – so maybe it won’t be a long term issue.
Olrac said | August 17th 2009 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
Considering that World Cups are 4 years apart if your age gap is in the right sequence you can get away with it.
The next qualifying campaign and the next asian cup should be made up of soley players who are going to play in 2014. This will allow us 4 years to develop a team, the players that are 33 and above at the end of this world cup should be told to expect allot less game time for the next 4 years. In fact I would go so far as to say they would be injury replacements only for younger players. That would be my direction if I was the post 2010 coach.
dasilva said | August 14th 2009 @ 9:31am | Report comment
I have very little faith in Kennedy holding the ball. When the ball goes to his feet at international levels. We tend to lose possession straight after.
Viduka is the best option in keeping possession at the opposing half and I believe all the style debate would have never been an issue if Viduka was available and playing.
Although saying that, I was very impressed with Scott Mcdonald performance against Ireland where he finally got the handle on the lone striker role. He kept possession, played off his team mate and did actually held the ball. The result, the most fluent attacking performance Australia has played under Pim Verbeek. If he keeps this type of performance up then maybe viduka would become redundant. It all depends if Scotty can maintain his performance.
Pippinu said | August 14th 2009 @ 9:36am | Report comment
Das
I think we have to accept that it might be a long time before we see another bloke like Dukes in our ranks (who is without peer as a lone striker).
But I agree with you that Macca gave an excellent performance in that role the other night, and surprised me because I had written him off.
However, a word of caution, whether it’s Macca or Josh, it’s clear to me that they need Timmy behind him – no other Socceroo is capable of providing the same level of all round support in the CAM position as Timmy is.
Pippinu said | August 14th 2009 @ 9:08am | Report comment
I’ve actually had that Guru status for a while!!
Thanks to all for the suggestions and comments.
Holland – yes, replaces Celeski.
Troisi – yes, should be ahead of both Zullo and Mooy.
Burns – not sure about that one, probably still a touch early.
Sterjovski ahead of both Garcia and Vidosic? Ok – you’ve convinced me!!
As for some of the other names Mid put forward – I think they’re down the pecking order to be honest.
drew777 said | August 14th 2009 @ 9:10am | Report comment
EDIT:9 ageing players is a hell of a lot worse than 3 or 4 as it was when Poppers left.
drew777 said | August 14th 2009 @ 9:19am | Report comment
PIP- I agree that it is a positive that we get them all for next year, I’m just concerned for the future after that.
The gap is a bit concerning, but the squad does show some promise as you said
It will probably be more of a coaching issue that will determine how well we adjust to the sudden retirement of a few of our guys. How good the coach is will determine how well we adapt.
Pippinu said | August 14th 2009 @ 9:28am | Report comment
We often see this sort of thing in many team sports, where a group of older players retire very close to each other – so there may well be a period of transition that might last for a couple of years.
It might be a case of staggering the retirements as best as can be managed (some might finish at 31, others might keep going till 33, etc), and fast tracking talented youngsters (as we’ve seen with Rhys Williams, who could almost step in as the permanent right back tomorrow if we were desperate).
So yeh, there will probably be a period of heart ache – the question will be whether it affects us in the run into the 2014 qualifiers – very hard to know at this early stage.
AndyRoo said | August 14th 2009 @ 9:46am | Report comment
There will be a lot of guys playing at this world cup who won’t be around for 2014, but thankfully we are involved in a lot more matches before then (an ACL campaign in between) to try and fill the gaps.
Kewell, Emerton, Chipperfield, Cahill, Neil, Schwarzer and Grella…. big shoes to fill but I am not so worried about it as (I was 12 months ago and as the next generation seem to be showing some positive signs.
Luke W said | August 14th 2009 @ 9:48am | Report comment
After the last World Cup, everyone was arguing that we could not cope with the aging of our best players. The capitulation of the Olyroos at the Olympics didn’t help, and it seemed the emerging generation was not up to the same level as the 2006 World Cup squad. A year later, and now we are saying the current squad is stronger than the 2006 squad, and I couldn’t agree more. Last time picking the squad was pretty simple, maybe one or two players could be disappointed they missed out. This time around, I think 8 or 9 players have the right to feel disappointed if Pim doesn’t select them. Anyway, going off your list of prospective players Pip, this is the squad I would take (which I can guarantee 100% will not be the squad Pim will take!):
Goalkeepers
Schwarzer
Federici
Right Back
Wilkshire
Williams
Centre Back
Neill
Moore
Kisnorbo
Spiranovic
Left Back
Chipperfield
Carney
Defensive Mid
Culina
Grella
Jedinak
Valeri
Right Mid
Bresciano
Emerton
Left Mid
Kewell
Troisi
Centre Mid
Cahill
Carle
Forward
Kennedy
McDonald
Rukavytsa
Of course, Pim will find room for Holman, probably at the expense of Carle.
Mattyg said | August 14th 2009 @ 4:14pm | Report comment
There is a big chance of Craig Moore missing out on the squad.
We are forgetting there willn be some inevitable injuries that will rule some players out of the squad, and that will leave some room for the odd surprise or outsider selection here and there.
If Cahill gets injured I can’t see the Socceroos getting a point in the South African group stage.
It would not surprise me to see Chipperfield injured again
AndyRoo said | August 14th 2009 @ 10:01am | Report comment
Apart from no third Keeper thats a pretty fair squad LukeW
drew777 said | August 14th 2009 @ 10:02am | Report comment
PIP- It is probably most likely that there will be no transition problems. As Luke W said, we are a lot better off now than we were in 2006. It will probably turn out that the same will happen next world cup campaign.
However, I can’t help but feel a sinking feeling that we won’t be able to replace Kewell, Cahill, Grella, or Cullina…
Luke W- that is the same squad that I would pick for South Africa 2010. Apart from Kisnorbo. I would be taking North in his place. I know he played will against Ireland, but for some reason I just feel more at ease with North at the back.
Pippinu said | August 14th 2009 @ 10:06am | Report comment
Luke
not a bad go.
I think we have to take 3 keepers (I’m not sure if that’s convention or tournament rules), and if we want to retain 3 strikers, which I think we would, it means taking one player from another grouping.
The logical grouping would be to reduce the DMs to 3 (recalling that Wilkshire can also player there), so that might mean Jedi and Valeri fighitng for a spot. 12 months ago, I would have thought that Valeri would get the nod easily, but Jedi showed the other morning that he can mix it at this level.
Yeh, you’re right, he will be tossing up Holman and Carle – I don’t think there will be room in the squad for both.
Now I know this subject gets very emotive, but it’s not that easy for Pim. This is what he’s weighing up:
1. Holman gets game time with a good team in the Eredivisie – that actually counts for a lot.
2. Pim will go with the one system, and he’s looking for solid back ups for all the first choices. If you’re talking about a back up for Cahill, Holman probably looks more the part than Carle, who is a very different player.
3. Carle showed again in his 12 minutes that he has plenty of creativity and range of passing – but this is the big but – Pim doesn’t want a creative player in that CAM role – he wants a work horse with goal sense (ie Timmy), he prefers his playmaker to be in a deeper role (probably Culina).
So these are all very difficult questions that Pim is weighing up – thankfully there are a stack of internationals coming up over the next 9 months.
BJ said | August 14th 2009 @ 11:05pm | Report comment
Culina is the back up for Cahill. Carle is potential backup deep lying playmaker (if Culina required to push forward to replace Cahill). Abscence of Grella, Valeri and Culina and the fact it was a friendly seemed to me to be an open invitation to trial Carle as one of the holding mids
Pippinu said | August 14th 2009 @ 10:09am | Report comment
Drew
With the big four you’ve mentioned: Grella, Culina, Timmy and Kewell – you’re right to have concerns.
For starters – both Harry and Timmy are probably in out top 3 or 4 best ever Socceroos – so you don’t replace that sort of player in a hurry.
The other thing is that all four, especially the partnership of Grella and Culina – have been around forever now.
I have no doubt that we can replace Grella and Culina as individuals – but can we have the same quality of partnership??
To me – that’s the really big question which is impossible to answer.
Luke W said | August 14th 2009 @ 10:24am | Report comment
The likes of Jedinak, Valeri, Holland, Celeski and even Kantarovski gives me confidence we can replace Grella and Culina. As for Cahill and Kewell…they are once in a lifetime players for the Socceroos. Is there someone right now that can step up? Probably not, but we still have a three or four years for someone to come through. I would like to see Rukavytsa transformed to a wide striker/winger as a replacement for Kewell. He has blinding speed and a wicked left foot. He is the closest thing to Kewell I have seen in a Socceroos shirt for a long time.
Luke W said | August 14th 2009 @ 10:15am | Report comment
If we take three goalkeepers, then Valeri and Jedinak are fighting for a spot. The main thing I want to see from our 2010 squad is some exposure for our young stars with the most potential. So far Williams, Spiranovic, Jedinak and Rukavytsa have been the ones who have stood out to me as the guys who will lead us into the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. But there is still time, and the likes of Holland, Djite, Burns and Jamieson may be able to force themselves in there.
Pippinu said | August 14th 2009 @ 10:23am | Report comment
I’m pretty confident Spira will be there (far too good to miss out, even at his young age).
Williams might miss only because we have plenty of cover at right back – I’m not saying he should – it might just be one of those things – but he’s young enough to also be a 10 year Socceroo (like Spira).
Jedi and Ruka have a lot of competition – but I can imagine Ruka being in there for his pace – Jedi is certainly a big chance – could be a case of their form in the next 9 months, and that of the other players vying for these spots.
Dicanio said | August 14th 2009 @ 10:49am | Report comment
In respect to the outgoing socceroo’s, I dont think its matter of replacing them, but reshaping the national team in their absence.
We are basically moving from a narrow range of Really high quality players to a much broader range of pretty good players.
The advantage is that we have a larger player base to safely select from.
The disadvantage is that there are less x factors and superheros.
However there is alot of competition for the NT spots and that brings out the best in these guys. As long as we maintain a high rate of international games played the emerging socceroos will
a)learn from the outgoing
b)develop relationships with other players.
So while we might not replace Harry or Dukes or any of these other larger then life figures, new boys will come good and craft a name for themselves.
Also Wilkshire still has another WC in him, and he is for my money the underated xfactor in this Australian side. Scotty Mac’s good turnout with Cahill’s getting forward can be partly attributed to Wilkshire’s movement and ability in the midfield. The fact that this guy now plays three different positions within our NT as good as anyone else is a testament to his quality.
AndyRoo said | August 14th 2009 @ 10:54am | Report comment
I dont think we will ever actually replace Cahill or Kewell but looking at what is around I think we will still have a strong squad. A little less star power but more depth.
The likes of Kuwait should be scared as getting 3 points in Canberra will be a lot tougher
Brian said | August 14th 2009 @ 11:12am | Report comment
I would take both Carle and Djitte, not because they are better then Troisi or Holman but because they are different. After all we’re talking about the bench warmers here.
GK – Schwarzer, Federici, Jones
DF – Neill, Moore, Spiranovic, Kisnorbo, Wilkshire, Chipperfield, Williams, Carney
MF – Emerton, Grella, Valeri, Bresciano, Cahill, Kewell, Culina, Carle
FD – Viduka, McDonald, Kennedy, Djitte
Brickowski said | August 14th 2009 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
I don’t have much time to present any factual arguments here, or debate who should or shouldn’t be included.
I only have time to say this: Celeski? Where in the hell did that one come from? That guy is absolutely pants and the further away from the NT set up he is, the more comfortable I will feel about SA2010.
Pippinu said | August 14th 2009 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
Bricks
Can I be perfectly honest?
1. I was scrounging around for a 6th DM; and
2. I knew you would love that choice!
(always thinking of you….)
Brickowski said | August 14th 2009 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
The one thing I am happy about is the depth we now have at right and left fullback, coming from using Emmo as a makeshift RB to having Ratboy and now Williams there is a very good situation.
whiskeymac said | August 14th 2009 @ 12:10pm | Report comment
It’s mostly all been said but ….
Williams performance against ireland showcased some great skill, and with players like Vidosic & Ruka & Troisi & jedi & Williams getting increased game time in their respective euro-leagues they might just get the hop on some of the others. Like someone mentioned how these guys play in the upcoming season (and touch wood no one gets injured) will probably go a long way in shaping the “squad”. will Kisnorbo get back in the squad – i think i prefer him to North (benching it in Korea) but wld rather see Williams, Spira above both of them. Has Madaschi played anywhere near enough for consideration?
Nathan Burns needs to get game time – AEK is a good club but there’s only so much reserve/ bench time before he falls off the radar; Djite needs to start lighting up the turkish league; Danning maybe too young – and i dont think will get a walcott like experience – but certainly an excellent prospect if he gets FIFA clearance; mooy also….
sheek said | August 14th 2009 @ 2:04pm | Report comment
Well done guys. When I read about you lot talking football, my knowledge of the sport takes a quantum leap.
Pippinu said | August 14th 2009 @ 2:12pm | Report comment
Sheek
may I return the compliment when I read what you have to say about rugby!!
Robbos said | August 14th 2009 @ 2:47pm | Report comment
I’d agree with most of the things mentioned above. Great post as usual Pip.
Very impressed by Williams & Wilshire from the Ireland game like most of you & how does Carney not get a run for a pathetic championship side after showing what he can do the other night is also beyond me (and not just his goal).
There is no doubt we have great depth, but we do lack in the class dept as Kewell is not yet the player he was in 06 & no Viduka, but Cahill is getting better & so is Bresciano. I hope Emerton comes back better than ever.
But without doubt the biggest worries are centre of defence & our centre forward.
Not much was made (well at least I didn’t read it) of what was Craig Moore was doing in Robson’s last goal for GC against BR. I hope Moore makes the world cup squad as a backup, his experience will be invalueable, but if Moore & Neill is the starting centre backs against the likes of Messi, Rooney, Drogba & Pato in the WC2010 I’m worried.
The one player you all forgot to mention was Mark Milligan, lost his way for awhile but from all accounts killing it in China, I would have him ahead of North, Beachamp, Kisnorbo, Coyne & Madaschi. The smokie could also be Milicevic.
As far as the centre forward we have good players in McDonald & Kennedy, but neither are Viduka, but they will do a good job.
As Art mentioned in another post we will do well against the English speaking or Northern European sides, but will struggle against the more technical sides as shown against the Japanese.
Go the socceroos in 2010, I feel much more comfortable than before on their chances.
Pippinu said | August 14th 2009 @ 3:06pm | Report comment
Robbos
good pick up re Moore (in that late 3rd goal).
Without coming across too harsh, he:
1. was completely stuffed; and/or
2. he thought Tiatto had it covered (I think it was Tiatto chasing Robson back).
Either way – it definitely wasn’t his finest moment when the Moore of old would have plugged the hole before anyone even knew there was a hole.
I wrote on another thread somehwere that by the time we get to the eve of the next WC, Moore will be sitting around the 24th player, as an emergency if someone else can’t make it (and Dukes will most probably be sitting alongside him).
Pim now knows he can afford to think like that (he may not have been sure 9 months ago).
Davos said | August 15th 2009 @ 9:43am | Report comment
It was Miller chasing Robson, after the goal, Miller turned to his defenders with the absolute look of disgust with his arms out as to say ” where the @#$% were you guys!!
Pippinu said | August 15th 2009 @ 11:09am | Report comment
heh, heh – you’re absolutely right – I can recall it vividly now!! But Moore would have seen Miller backtracking (with difficulty!!) – what on Earth was going through his head!!
Simmo said | August 14th 2009 @ 3:11pm | Report comment
Carney – I’m involved in another large UK football forum. David Carney is held in much higher regard by Sheffield United fans than he is by the manager. After the Ireland match on of them pointed out that Carney was good enough to mark Lionel Messi out of a game (Aus v Argentina in Melbounre) but only good enough to sit on Utd’s bench the next week. This reflected their widely held view on the manager’s lack of acumen.
Viscount Crouchback said | August 14th 2009 @ 6:24pm | Report comment
Football is full of players who look good occasionally at international level but can’t hack it week in and week out at club level. It’s a schoolboy error to judge a player’s on the basis of what he does in the international game. Remember Helder Postiga scoring against England for Portugal in Euro 2004? The fellow couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo when he played for Spurs in the Premiership.
Most sensible clubs ignore international form unless it’s backed up by club form. Otherwise, you end up like Tottenham.
Kazama said | August 14th 2009 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
Pippinu, good article mate and some great comments above. I have been thinking about this a fair bit in the last couple of weeks.
Over at the fantastic Football365 they have a World Cup ladder for the English team – http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8750_5488794,00.html – and I’ve always wondered what an Australian one would look like. Anyone care to have a crack?
For me, the guys who would be at or near the top of the ladder and have booked their seats already are: Schwarzer, Cahill, Kewell, Neill, Emerton, Wilkshire, Grella, Culina, Bresciano, Kennedy, McDonald and Chipperfield. Basically all the survivors from Germany except Dukes and Moore, plus Macca.
Further down the order, but still more than likely going IMO would be: Carney, Valeri, Williams, Spiranovic, Holman (let’s face it, Pim loves him and he’ll be there), Jedinak, Jones, Federici
That leaves us with three spots to pick from the rest. I think there’d be one more striker – either Viduka, Djite or Rukavytsya – I think it will be Nikita unless Dukes can turn back the clock at Fulham, or if Djite scores a lot of goals in Turkey this season; one more centre back – either Moore, Kisnorbo or Madaschi – Moore is my tip but I could see Kisnorbo taking his spot if he has a bad season; and lastly another left sided player. Quite a few possibilities who that last one will be.
I’d love Nicky Carle to be on the plane but I think he’s going to miss out. Pippinu nailed it in an earlier post why Pim doesn’t rate Nicky like some of us do: “Pim doesn’t want a creative player in that CAM role – he wants a work horse with goal sense (ie Timmy), he prefers his playmaker to be in a deeper role (probably Culina).”
Pippinu said | August 14th 2009 @ 4:22pm | Report comment
thanks Kaz
that’s another approach, and those choices you have to get your last three look pretty close to the mark to my eyes.
Of course, there’s one more complete football season to go, and that will help us consolidate a few things – after which it’s a case of form and injuries – a lot can happen in 10 months or so.
Kazama said | August 14th 2009 @ 4:35pm | Report comment
I think injuries, if there are any – hope not! – will be the cause of big changes in the squad between now and South Africa. While there is most certainly a whole season before we get to the cup, I think the guys I’ve got in the top group are safe, even if they all have shockers. Probably some of the guys in the middle group are also in as long as they are fit and playing regularly.
I don’t think Pim is going to spring any big surprises like Guus did with Kennedy, Milligan, Beauchamp etc. I think Pim’s used the time he’s had very well to give himself a lot of solid options. Maybe there will be one surprise for that last left-sided spot. Or perhaps in the goalkeeping position, someone like Galekovic can sneak in if Federici and / or Jones has a bad season.
AndrewM said | August 14th 2009 @ 4:59pm | Report comment
We cant get too carried away with the result against Ireland.. They gave us so much time on the ball in midfield it would have made me look like a superstar.. I can pass like the best of them when under no pressure.
Viduka will be there.. He is by far the best forward we have ever produced and can hold the ball up which is a skill which is lacking in the entire squad at present. It will actually give the team another dimension when playing more technically capable sides.. Viduka will cause them alot of headaches.
Bolters : Williams, Ruka, Danning , Vidosic and Mooy.
Drop outs: North, Kisnorbo, Holman (PLEASE)
For the bolters It all depends on their seasons this year… Good luck!
Pippinu said | August 14th 2009 @ 5:27pm | Report comment
AndrewM
It’s a fair point about the time and space in midfield – but that has to be tempered by the fact that we had a completely experimental back 6 against a full strength Ireland outfit – fair’s fair!!
On Holman – if you had been reading Roar posts from the past year, you’d know that he has very little support amongst most of us – but equally, we recognise that Pim wants him in his squads – so there comes a time when you sit back and wonder why that’s so, and you either accept it or complain bitterly (but the latter course can get tiring and boring for everyone).
Art Sapphire said | August 14th 2009 @ 5:57pm | Report comment
You are the manager your job is to find 23 players including (3 Keepers) to play in the WC 2010.
Pleasingly, unlike 2006 we have a bit more depth.
Here is a list of 31 – good luck pruning it down to 23.
Goalkeepers – Schwarzer,Federici, Jones, Petkovic
Defenders – Emerton, Wilkshire, Williams, Neill, Moore, Milligan, Spiranovic, Chipperfield, Carney, Kisnorbo, North
Midfield – Culina, Grella, Jedinak, Valeri, Bresciano, Kewell, Troisi, Carle, Cahill, Holman, Vidosic
Forwards – Viduka, Kennedy, McDonald, Rukavytsa, Djite
Personally, I would leave out, Jones, Moore, Kisnorbo, North, Holman, Carle, Troisi, Djite
This is based on the following assumptions.
Williams, Spiranovic , Ruka and Vidosic will get game time this season. Moore is to old and too slow and I would leave him out and risk going into the tournament with only 3 central defenders. To do well in the WC you need to have a defence that has pace and endurance. We also need someone like Ruka to come on and run at tiring defences late in the game.
Ofcourse, I expect to change my mind as we get cloer to WC 2010.
Marty said | August 15th 2009 @ 1:35am | Report comment
I have no doubts as long as Herbert is coaching.
pothale said | August 15th 2009 @ 10:34am | Report comment
Has anyone considered that the match versus the Socceroos was the equivanlent of playing the Faroe Islands for the ROI?
None of the players was engaged in the match. the premiership is starting. It was a friendly and Trap was just find out about positions and players. In a normal match the Australisans would have been tournced but we put out a C team to try out some of the individual players and positions., Let’s aface it, Socceroos are bottom feeding in the soccr world. Don’t set tooo mcuh storre by it.
AndyRoo said | August 15th 2009 @ 3:08pm | Report comment
That wasn’t your A team hmmm can’t wait too see what irish players are better than Keane, Ireland, Duff and Given. But I guess that woud expain why everyone in this thread is more concerned with the upcoming korean game i.e an opponent who can play.
So your team couldn’t score against our b team back 4 because they weren’t trying (at home) and were charging the Irish fans approx $100 too see it…… hmm
You have been in one scrum too many Pothole
pothale said | August 15th 2009 @ 8:31pm | Report comment
Nope. Players out of position. Backing off Australian players, avoiding injury, and missing some of the first teamers would make a big difference. C Team is a bit dtrong by me, but you get the point. This was the equivalent of an Aussie or SA touring rugby side in the NH – a weakened or developing team, as they like to call it.
AndyRoo said | August 16th 2009 @ 9:10am | Report comment
Obviously no one is going to try and break a leg* playing a friendly (any friendy) and both coaches took key payers off at half time but this game was much more important for Ireand, that is pretty much your lineup for the Cyprus game whereas Australia would have 5 or 6 starters to come in.
*The first 10 minutes had quite a few crude tackles from Ireland though
AndyRoo said | August 16th 2009 @ 9:22am | Report comment
I would also say the Poms get much more excitied about beating the wallabies regardess of how many players are getting a guernsey for the first time than we are in here about the Socceroos. I think most fans are happy to have not conceeded with that back 4 as it’s likely one of them wil have to step up to fill in for Craig Moore.
MVDave said | August 16th 2009 @ 9:32am | Report comment
‘”Let’s aface it, Socceroos are bottom feeding in the soccr world. Don’t set tooo mcuh storre by it.” Sounds like you’ve had one guiness too many. BTW Socceroos are ranked 16th in the world and Ireland’s ranking????
Cahill, Kewell, Bresc, Scwarz, Culina, Kennedy, etc would walk into the Irish side
Midfielder said | August 16th 2009 @ 9:48am | Report comment
Pothale
You will have to stop this one handed typing and I understand what it is like to play so poor we had a team like yours a few years ago anyway back to your … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2ak4fz9lRg
Pippinu said | August 16th 2009 @ 11:15am | Report comment
It’s interesting that Hunt came on in the 2nd half, played ok, but didn’t do a lot of damage in a make shift aussie defence – then he comes out 4 days later to score the opening goal of the new EPL season, giving Chelsea a bit of a fright on their own dung heap.
Here’s the clip of that opening goal (and Drogba’s two), all to some Thai commentary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkaL01N1ubQ
Viscount Crouchback said | August 16th 2009 @ 11:18am | Report comment
What does that tell you?
It tells me that you shouldn’t pay too much attention to friendlies.
albatross said | August 16th 2009 @ 2:45pm | Report comment
Thai – it’s Arabic innit?
Pippinu said | August 16th 2009 @ 2:52pm | Report comment
Not 100% sure, but to be honest, it does remind me more of Thai script than Arab script. Check out this wikipedia article on the Thai language:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_language
pothale said | August 16th 2009 @ 9:55pm | Report comment
Yeah okay. All of you are right. We’re crap. And we know it.