Comments on: Time for some fringe Socceroos to step up

By: Mackey

Mackey — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:57:48 +0000

That is a worry, but Vidosic, Holman, Culina and Macdonald have all been in scoring form for their clubs, hopefully they can take that confidence into the match.
Hell, even Williams was banging them in for Boro a few weeks ago in pre-season.

By: The Bear

The Bear — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:00:27 +0000

only if Arnold, Verbeek or another Feyenoord old boy is in charge : /

By: David

David — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:48:39 +0000

LMAO bit harsh but very funny
here is a fun fact in this squad only 20 national goals have been scored between the players 17 of them were scored by ether Bresc n Kennedy LMAO

By: Mackey

Mackey — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:41:18 +0000

I would like

——–Kennedy——–
———–Macdonald—
Bresc————-Holman*
——Grella—Culina—–
Stef-North–Millsy–Williams
———Schwarz———

*Please note I don’t actually WANT him there, I just acknowledge that Pim is a far superior coach than I will ever be and he will play, so am just getting used to the fact. If he ‘reverse’ headers it again or stands on the ball I will have a coronary.

By: dasilva

dasilva — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:39:08 +0000

I expect

Stefanutto at left back
Milligan and North at centre back
Williams at right back

This would be consistent with Pims selection during the WCQ

We know that Stefanutto is the back up when Carney and Chipperfield are unavailable
We know Williams is the back up to Emerton and Wilkshire
Milligan is the first choice back up centre defence to Coyne and Neill. This is shown by the fact that Milligan was selected for the Bahrain match when Neill was suspended
When Milligan was rested as he was on the yellow card, North took over for the japan match (North also replaced Coyne in the Bahrain match in the 78th minute as well).

So if he is consistent then those will be the defence selected (unless Pim wants to be experimental and test out other players)

Here is my expected XI
The only doubt for me is whether Jedinak is there or Holman.
Kennedy
Bresciano McDonald Holman/Culina
Grella Culina/Jedinak
Stefanuto North milligan Williams

By: Ando

Ando — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:11:31 +0000

Kisnorbo, sweet jesus. I’m a Leeds Fan and still think the guy is poo. I’d love to see him win a ball in the air with his forehead for once, instead of the back of his skull. Pair Beauchamp and Spira in the middle. Milligan and Stefanutto out wide, and send Kisnorbo back to under 6′s to learn how to play.

By: Mackey

Mackey — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:09:08 +0000

Oh and I forgot Jade North too!

By: these_are_words

these_are_words — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:02:25 +0000

Holminho to score a hattrick

By: elmarso

elmarso — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:41:28 +0000

Good to see Robbie gettin’ crazy in the red hot Adelaide club scene, bringing the game into disrepute & hopefully never getting a call up again

By: Mackey

Mackey — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:38:41 +0000

While all the talk is of Holman, what about the back 4? That’s a huge headache trying to pick a starting combination from Stefanutto, Kisnorbo, Spiranovic, Williams, Milligan and Beauchamp?

By: elmarso

elmarso — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:38:38 +0000

Hoping Ruka really steps it up in these friendlies now it seems Viduka is all but gone

By: Ando

Ando — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:18:36 +0000

Did he fall over the ball and carry it into the net?

By: AndyRoo

AndyRoo — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:09:32 +0000

Sorry mate, he wil likely be in the starting line up on Saturday.

He is the only Ausie playing in the ECL and he scored a goal on the weekend. He will be captain by 2014

By: Ando

Ando — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:49:40 +0000

If Holman plays another minute for Australia then I will burn my jersey and support New Zealand. The guy is a hack. It’s almost as bad as cornthwaite being capped.

By: Ben of Phnom Penh

Ben of Phnom Penh — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:03:33 +0000

A good chance for Milligan to show his wares. I agree that a Troisi call-up would be welcome.

By: David

David — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:28:17 +0000

Dear god i hope Craig moore never players for Australia again his way to slow, old and his just no good

By: Mr

Mr — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:31:49 +0000

Garcia is on my bolter list, hopefully he comes back from his injury in good shape. Williams has added the dimension at the back, that alongwith Wilkshire may free up Emerton for that true winger role that he loves.

By: Mr

Mr — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:00:32 +0000

This will be the first time our entire first choice backline is not available;

Wilkshire, Emmerton, Neill, Moore, Coyne, Chipperfield, Carney.

If anything the team still looks very strong, despite being experimental as you put it. That just shows the depth than Pim has created in the past 20 months in charge. Sprianovic played the last 20 mins against Ireland, hopefully he gets another shot on Saturday, likewise Carle.

The teamsheet has only 5 players who have scored for the Socceroos – 20 goals in total. 17 of those are between Bresc & Kennedy who should both start. Will be interesting to see Macca playing through from the CAM area. Himself and Kennedy for the senior team when played together have not been on a losing team. Bresc on the left, and Culina on the right with Jedi & Grella taking care of the DM roles should provide an agressive set up.

I read that Scwarzer had to have a fitness test at half time last weekend after a knock on his thigh. He’s a strong character, I wonder whether he would allow Covic & Petkovic to step up. Probably unlikely with the new backline being tested but food for thought. Ireland played 45 mins each for their keepers last month.

By: Mackey

Mackey — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:52:17 +0000

Holy crap!

This will be a real experimental team!

By: Mackey

Mackey — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:36:56 +0000

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, I would never stoop to that level!

(yes I would)

By: Midfielder

Midfielder — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:00:01 +0000

WOW

Now they can call up Troisi with both the lefie’s out …. OMG .. I hope Troisis gets a call..

By: Mike Tuckerman

Mike Tuckerman — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:37:57 +0000

Harry Kewell, David Carney, Luke Wilkshire and Danny Invincibile have all been ruled out.

By: AndyRoo

AndyRoo — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:13:37 +0000

I cant remember ever seeing Troisi play, so I really wanted him to be selected so I could have a look at him

devils avocate would suggest he is quite the longshot to make it if he is not featuring at this stage.

By: Midfielder

Midfielder — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:57:46 +0000

AndyRoo

I think Troisi is a far better player than Carle …. and Troisis would be in my team ahead of Nick..

By: AndyRoo

AndyRoo — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:03:45 +0000

Because of their versatility I expect Holman and Emerton to both be in the squad. At the expense of Carle becaue I don’t know what value you get from Carle of the bench and I doubt Pim would start him. A case of beeing one of our 23 most talented footballers but not the best choice for a squad.

By: Midfielder

Midfielder — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:19:28 +0000

Bear

Agree 100 % with you …

By: The Bear

The Bear — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:11:01 +0000

“Pedigree” or not, once Emerton makes full fitness we should see Verbeek making a shrewd decision to leave Holman out of the WC squad. Emerton can play midfield, forward (and back) equally well. Holman plays striker/winger for hs club well, but Verbeek only relies on him to play CAM in a defensive posture. It would seem Emerton would have the wood over Holman, and then some. This would be the logical, dispassionate, and world class management decision. Holman’s absence, and Emerton’s presence would free up another goal scoring/striking position (Ruka), or possibly midfielder (Carle/Garcia).

By: Robbos

Robbos — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:02:49 +0000

There is an old saying that great players make their own luck.
Holman does make great runs & make defence splitting passes, but it normally always ends with a piece of bad luck, either his defence splitting pass was lucky blocked or his great runs fall down as the ball gets tangled at his feet.

By: David

David — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:31:46 +0000

weather it was or wasnt its true – there from has shown intertest from all over as D.Carney has moved to FCT North is going to move next transfer season apperently. But if it was i shall explain why they are being called up Australia lack a certer of defence to partner L.Niel – Peronsally im not a fan of J.North and think the K-league inst any better then our A-league. As for D.Carney the only reason he didnt get a game at leeds is becuz he called his coach a d**k h**d for not picking him to playlyk a yr ago. However his impressed at FCT, he is also able to play defensive mid which we need in our team considering or formation requiers to defensive midfielders who have the ability to play long balls forward.

By: Luke W

Luke W — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:06:59 +0000

Agreed. If we were to somehow grab a goal against a top team at the WC and leading 1-0, Holman becomes invaluable for his defensive work in the front third. The ESPN commentators of the La Liga mentioned in the Barcelona match this morning that last season the front three of Henry, Eto’o and Messi conceded more fouls over the season than the back four. Just goes to show how well a high pressing game can be when it is applied correctly.