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This week Ange Postecoglou selected a 46-man provisional squad ahead of the Asian Cup.
While some names in the squad such as Terry Antonis, Daniel De Silva and Joshua Risdon suggest that this squad represents a positive change for the future, there are still a number of lurking problem names in the list.
It shows that Ange is unwilling to shake free of the old Socceroos image and forge a new successful path. This is a result of a deeply entrenched nostalgia for the Socceroos that has built up over the past eight years and needs to be forgotten.
In the recent Fox Sports post-game show following the Japan game, the panellists of Mark Bosnich, John Aloisi, Robbie Slater and Ned Zelic revealed their Socceroos team.
They chose a 4-3-3 formation:
Ryan
Franjic, Spiranovic, Sainsbury, Behich
Bresciano, Jedinak, McKay
Kruse, Cahill, Brosque
It revealed all that is wrong with the national team at the moment. It suggested that the Australian football public is unwilling to let go of its golden generation.
This is not a fault of the analysts or the Australian football public, it is instead the fault of Ange, as no viable solution has been provided.
Let’s analysis three key sections of the Socceroos to reveal how Ange can save the team and what squad he should pick for the Asian Cup.
Problem players
Whereas many of the names that became synonymous with the negative image of the Socceroos (such as Lucas Neill) are gone, there are still unfortunately many that remain.
These names include Marco Bresciano, Matt McKay, Mark Milligan and Alex Wilkinson. While Wilkinson is perhaps a bit unlucky to fall into this category, all of these names are older players past their prime that are standing in the way of younger players who could come in and revolutionise the Socceroos squad.
These players would be fine if there was no realistic younger solutions who could take their place. However, evidence shows that there are in fact young Australians who can step in and provide the same or greater input to the national team.
For Bresciano, the replacement should be a simple one – Tommy Oar. Oar is playing as a number 10 in Holland and currently has six assists in the Dutch League. He is a regular and could really energise the Socceroos midfield.
For Matt McKay, Oliver Bozanic and James Troisi represent younger and more viable solutions that play fairly regularly in higher quality leagues in Europe (Switzerland and Belgium respectively). James Holland and Josh Brillante are replacements for Mark Milligan for similar reasons.
Daniel De Silva has been playing as a left central midfielder in a diamond for Perth Glory and represents a long-term replacement. Furthermore, Terry Antonis also provides an alternative long-term solution and has been playing consistent minutes for Sydney FC.
For Wilkinson it is an unfortunate situation. He was a worthy inclusion for the World Cup, however there is no way he is a better solution than Trent Sainsbury, Curtis Good, Rhys Williams or Matthew Spiranovic, who are all younger and playing at better clubs.
This is of no disrespect to the older players. They have all performed admirably for the Socceroos but it is now time for them to respectfully retire. We must by all means celebrate their contribution but remember that everyone’s time in the Socceroos is limited and that no player can last forever.
Playing style
The playing style of the Socceroos since Ange took over has been one positive change. This style has revolved around keeping possession while getting to the byline and putting in crosses for Tim Cahill.
The highlight game of his tenure was definitely the Netherlands game. This match represented all that Australian football should be about as a secure yet exciting plan was employed. While the results haven’t been there yet, we must continue these strategies and ensure that the playing style aligns with the Australian spirit of ‘giving it a real go’.
The only criticism I have is the continued use of the 4-2-3-1 system over the 4-3-3 system that has been encouraged in the national curriculum. What is the point of having a national system if our national team does not even stick to it?
Furthermore, it must be said that the 4-2-3-1 system is far too safe for a national team that should be going for results. This is because instead of having two holding midfielders in front of the back four, a 4-3-3 allows for a box-to-box number eight alongside a more creative number 10.
This system could work for Australia due to the fact that we have a great ball winner in Mile Jedinak who can easily hold the midfield line on his own with strength and precision. Proof of this can be seen in the Japan game where a 4-3-3 system was finally employed and Jedinak was given more influence.
He was rightly lauded by John Aloisi who stated that it was “Jedinak’s best game for the Socceroos”.
Selection policy
While the selection policy implemented by Ange of only selecting players who have played consistent minutes for their club teams has been a positive one, there is one other criteria that should be added.
Players should be selected based around a four-year plan where only younger players are selected with an eye on the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
This must be the selection policy used for the Asian Cup to truly remove any deadwood in the team only there for nostalgia’s sake. The only exception to this rule is Tim Cahill as he has been the life blood of the Socceroos attack and unfortunately, there is no other striking prospect (outside of Tom Juric) who can lead the line and win headers up front for the Socceroos.
However, this leniency in regards to Cahill expires after the Asian Cup when it is time for Timmy to retire.
The most important rule of all, however, should be that no one is guaranteed a spot in the team. Long gone are the days when Lucas Neill could sit on the bench for Al Wasl and still captain the Socceroos – this team is far more important than any player.
Final squad
Goakeepers: Matthew Ryan, Adam Federici, Mitchell Langerak.
Defenders: Ivan Franjic, Ryan McGowan, Trent Sainsbury, Matthew Spiranovic, Rhys Williams, Aziz Behich, Jason Davidson.
Midfielders: Mile Jedinak, Josh Brillante, Oliver Bozanic, Terry Antonis, Massimo Luongo, James Holland, Daniel De Silva, James Troisi.
Forwards: Tommy Oar, Matthew Leckie, Robbie Kruse, Tim Cahill, Tom Juric.
Starting line-up (4-3-3)
Ryan
Franjic, Sainsbury/Williams (if fit), Spiranovic, Behich
Antonis, Jedinak, Oar
Kruse, Cahill, Leckie
I believe that this is the best squad available for Ange Postecoglou to select. This is a squad that would really change the complexion of the national team and set-up a true plan for the future.
Not only are they a young team (the average age of the squad is 24.6), they are all mostly playing regular minutes for their club sides. We all understand how hard Ange’s job is, however, now is the time to take risks.
We must gamble on young prospects and hope that they will surprise us and perform admirably on the road to Russia. We must remember that we are a young footballing nation and we do not have a past to dwell on, we have a future to look forward to.
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