Ange Postecoglou is expected to stick with his guns and behave to form when he finally whittles down his Socceroo squad for the Asian Cup.
A 46-man contingent was named on Monday for the upcoming tournament, including uncapped players such as Daniel De Silva, Mustafa Amini, Luke Brattan and Josh Risdon, as well as a handful with strong injury clouds hanging over them like Josh Kennedy, Rhys Williams and Adam Taggart.
Apart from that there was little that really surprised. No Luke Wilkshire, no Lucas Neill, no Brett Holman, Alex Brosque or Sasa Ogenovski.
As Postecoglou told the media after the squad was announced, he has an idea on the 25 or 26 players in the running for his final 23-man line-up that will take part in the Asian Cup.
He has named such a massive provisional squad because AFC rules stipulate that a final squad of 23 has to be submitted by December 30, and players injured up to the start of the tournament can be replaced but the new player must come from the original list submitted yesterday.
Essentially there’s just a handful of spots left up for grabs in the next three weeks.
The certainties
Mat Ryan, Matthew Spiranovic, Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan, Tim Cahill, Robbie Kruse, Ivan Franjic, Trent Sainsbury, Matthew Leckie, Tommy Oar, Mitch Langerak, Jason Davidson.
All of these went to the World Cup except for Kruse and Sainsbury, who would have if fit, and have been immediate selections when fit in the games since. Only serious injury will keep them out of the Asian Cup.
The probables
Massimo Luongo, Tomi Juric, Alex Wilkinson, Eugene Galekovic, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, James Troisi, Matt McKay.
Several went to the World Cup and all have been trialed of late in friendlies. Likely to play off the bench but will play key roles in January.
In contention
Aziz Behich, Brad Smith, Chris Herd, Nathan Burns, Ryan McGowan, Josh Brilliante, Ryan McGowan, Dario Vidosic, Oliver Bozanic, Terry Antonis, Carl Valeri, Bailey Wright, Brad Jones.
There’s probably just three or four positions that Postecoglou is tossing up on.
He remains a fan of Jason Davidson, despite his lack of game time at West Brom, but who is his second left back? Aziz Behich or Bard Smith? Behich is playing regularly at the higher level and will arguably get the nod.
Does he go with Ryan McGowan as the cover for Ivan Franjic, like he did at the World Cup, or will Chris Herd get the spot? Herd hasn’t been featuring regularly, after going out on loan to Bolton, and McGowan is better as a centre back. Josh Brilliante can also play there and provide cover in midfield, so he could be a wildcard option.
Postecoglou will most likely opt for Matthew Spiranovic, Trent Sainsbury and Alex Wilkinson, with the fourth central defender between Bailey Wright and Nikolai Topor-Stanley. Wright is coming back from injury at the moment so the Wanderer edges in front at this point in time, but that could change over the next few weeks.
Oliver Bozanic and Dario Vidosic were both in Brazil but have hardly been seen in the Socceroos set-up since. Both also can feature across the midfield, and Vidosic in the forward line, so it really depends on whether Australia takes four forwards or five. The decision to take five could open the door for Nathan Burns who has been in good form in the A-League.
Josh Kennedy hasn’t played in ages, so I can’t see him making the cut, and it’s the same for Adam Taggart and Rhys Williams unfortunately. Time isn’t on their side, as it wasn’t for Curtis Good or Tom Rogic.
It’s a touch too early for the likes of Daniel De Silva and Mustafa Amini, and probably Bernie Ibini and Luke Brattan as well. Adam Federici is expected to focus on his Reading duties in January and Brad Jones’ time on the pine at Anfield should mean that Eugene Galekovic is the number 3 custodian.
Postecoglou could stun us all and pull a joker out of the pack with a Nikita Rukavysta, an Aaron Mooy or a Mitch Nichols, but that’s unlikely.
Which ever way he finally decides, the 49-year old will clearly make up his own mind and not pander to outside influences. He lives by the sword and dies by it. That is his way, as he remains a determined, single-minded individual who believes in what he is doing and won’t be swayed from the path.
Roll on January 9.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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