Socceroos suffer 3-1 defeat to South Korea

Thank God Australia wasn't in the harder group ie with the two Koreas, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Yeh - you can't just use it over and over, that's for sure - that's why I was thinking it's something you pull out unexpectedly when you need it most - use it from the first game and it will lose its lustre quick smart. It's the fact that it's unexpected that is its value - not the fact that it's long. I should add though, pumping the ball down the channels is a little bit different than having a long throw in coming in from near the corner flag - expecially if it catches the defence out - that's the key.

Thanks Bear agree they used it to much, but it's definitely a handy skill. Even if you don't fling it into Kennedy the fact that you can must scare the opposition too create more space to generate an easy throw to a team mates feet.

Not serious...so maybe 2 weeks i am guessing. Read it in a recent post match article. Re: long throws, it is a bit like long balls. We have talent on the ground AND in the air. Losing possession in the air can be worse than from the ground... and the opposition needs to be in two minds with the long throw use. Good to have in the game, but better to use it more wisely.

If you got it - you gotta use it - it all depends on whether he can hold down a position doing the other 99% of the stuff that would be demanded of him. Even the commentators mentioned Stoke - so didn't go unnoticed!! Might be just the thing to pull out in the 2nd half in a knock out stage to catch a team completely unawares.

Yeh they have gone up a level that's for sure. Was he badly injured, I went home as soon as the game finished and havent heard anything about him.

On another note, was anyone else surprised at Milligan's long throws?!? They were massive! Much longer than any he has done at Sydney FC or the Jets. I love watching the beautiful game, but at the World Cup I definitely wouldn't mind Pim to use the "Rory Delap" strategy against the best teams.

I think he is out of form compared to 2006 when he was one of our very best but I beleive it's due to the tough time at club level. Having a lot of injuries and adapting to English Football. I wish he had of stayed in italy but if gets in the Blackburn team and stays there he will be one of our stars again.

Is it likely that the Dutchman can identify this in one of his players? Y'know, the Dutch are famous for their own brand of "confidence"... sincerely i hope someone has a quiet, firm, word to him.

Ok I accept your point that Grella can be quite arrogant to his detriment. I hope Pim used his fame man management skills and give Grella a kick up the arse so that Grella can play at an even higher level (the same with Lucas Neill). Nevertheless he is still one of our best player and I do take exception to comments that he is ordinary. If we are going to get to the knockout stage in the World Cup, we need Grella to be at his best. I don't think the likes of Jedinak and Valeri can cut it.

I concur KB. However, more likely that a Korean or Japanese league manager did. I noticed that Carle was marking the 'batman' sub, and Foxsports commentary team remarked that _that_ Korean player was a very popular figure in Japan (J League player) and in South Korea, just coming back from injury. Also a Verbeek endorsement may work wonders to get the coin up on a contract bid, may entice Walnock to let him go. He and Carle seem to have a decent relationship.

Bear Di Canio has hinted on this above (and I partly agreed).

The dept of the backs is immense. Not in quality, but surely in quantity. I wish I could say the same about the trialing of strikers over the last year. Is Pim an OCDD (Obsessive Compulsive Defensive Disorder) manager...?

I'll be honest. I question his temperament. You can be a tough competitor without getting a "reputation". Some of his comments in the media post WC and Asian Cup especially, display all the hallmarks of an arrogant arsehole. Confidence is one thing, infallability is another. I hope Pim looks closely at Grella's development this year, and ensures he does not take selection too much for granted. Grella is a top player, but i believe he is not playing to his potential what with all the raised elbows in challenges and constant complaining to refs and the like. Anyone else feel this way?

You might be right - I just ain't sure it's that clear cut yet.

Two good performances in a row against some stiff Asian opposition for Carle. Pim subs him on at the 58th minute while we are chasing the game, and takes off Holman. I think it's safe to say Carle is in the ascendancy. Regardless of what any of us say or think.

But that's still the way of the world - you don't give someone a start at international level if they've had zero club time, just in the hope that he will eventually come good - it doesn't work that way. Having said that - North has had a dream run in comparison - but that has to be viewed in the context of a highly unstable back four, currently.

yep it sounds unfair extremely unfair since he has had no match time at club level ... and his manager said it was no fault of his (Carle) own... ~~~~~~ KB

Spot on Pip

Bear, I hope a few EPL managers saw Carle’s 30 min cameo in the second half ... ~~~~~~ KB