It seems that every A-League player with dreams of pulling on the green and gold in South Africa has been linked with a transfer/loan in the January window to ensure game time in the months leading up to the World Cup.
The problem, as I see it, is that there are lots of candidates but too few spots up for grabs.
Who will be the outfielders for the Socceroos in South Africa?
There are 20 slots for outfield players – roughly four strikers, eight midfielders and eight defenders.
The following players can pick their squad numbers now:
1. Josh Kennedy
2. Harry Kewell
3. Tim Cahill
4. Mark Bresciano
5. Scott Chipperfield
6. Brett Holman (gulp)
7. Vince Grella
8. Jason Culina
9. Brett Emerton
10. Craig Moore
11. Lucas Neill
12. Patrick Kisnorbo (muted gulp)
13. David Carney
14. Luke Wilkshire
15. Rhys Williams
I reckon the following are also certainties, only slightly less so:
16. Scott McDonald
17. Mile Jedinak
That’s two strikers, nine midfielders and six defenders (noting that there are players in that list that can play in different positions).
That’s three spots for the taking and lots of potential takers.
I’ll look at those candidates (and the goalkeepers) soon. Stay tuned!
hoodooguru
Roar Rookie
So this explains you trolling Part 2. Petty, but each to their own. I'm no fan of Kisnorbo, but he's been a Socceroo regular for a little while now. I'm a big Spiranovic fan, and would love to see him make the squad. However, he's certainly a fringe player. Kisnorbo isn't.
hoodooguru
Roar Rookie
Just by saying it doesn't make it so. As much as you might wish it otherwise, Pim's already got 'KISNORBO, P' down on the team sheet.
dannyshepherd
Guest
i wouldn't mute my gulp... to put him as a certainty is ridiculous... spiranovic is just as much a certainty as kisnorbo... he plays in the third flight because of his lack of pace which has cost aust over the years...
David
Guest
You ask me why covic isnt in the squad i guess the same could be asked about every player in asia? couldnt it same with kewell i noe he didnt want to take kewell cuz he needed a break but this match is very important. All im saying to answer your question why not call Covic if his got a shot. Covic chosen when the fifa dates were on against Oman im pretty sure. I also feel Pim has mainly taken euro based players that arnt playing regulary only ones he did take were jedi n Wilk and clearly whilk was chosen cuz he is our best defener of late and i think he wants to gve Jedi i run especially now Clinas out jedi will definetly start.
Brian
Guest
AndyRoo I've always been a big fan of Galekovic but his game against Kuwait was disappointing. I must admit if Lowry gets game time he would be in. Regarding back-up keepers Pim's policy seems to be to invite everyone so that they've all been a part of the squad at some stage and then pick the most in-form ones come the final squad. I'd say Pim doesn't have a clear idea at this stage.
Mr
Guest
Looks about right at this stage Brian. I'd say Chippers, Moore are still a risk due to injury/age this far out. Next cabs off the rank are Carle, Garcia and Djite.
AndyRoo
Guest
I think that looks pretty close Brian. We will get a better idea once the January transfer window closes. If Carle doesn't move he has no chance at breaking in. Spiranovic also needs a move to get game time or Lowry will take his spot and anyone who gets a good move (e.g Galekovic) will come into the running. If garcia keeps playing he might get a spot because their will likely be an injury or two. I can imagine Lowry coming in for an injured chipperfield or such.
hoodooguru
Roar Rookie
I've submitted part 2, so hopefully that will be up soon. Working on Part 3 (the goalkeepers) at the moment. Interested that both you and David picked Covic. His league is on winter break at the moment - if he was a WC chance, why not call him up for the Kuwait game? Is he injured? Anyone know why Petkovic wasn't selected? Turkey is also on a break.
Brian
Guest
Unless Djitte or Kennedy improve and quickly I'd play Harry up-front with Kennedy & Macca sub options. Of your sqaud I'd add Spiranovic and Vidosic as certainties. Also remember that Holman was our only champions league representative. GK - Schwarzer, Covc, Federici DF - Neill, Wilkshire, Chipperfield, Kisnorbo, Williams, Moore, Spiranovic, Carney MF - Grella, Valeri, Culina, Bresciano, Vidosic, Cahill, Emerton, Jedinak FWD - Kewell, McDonald, Kennedy, Holman
David
Guest
I would rather Kewell in front i mean we defeat Oman with ten men - Kenndy's hieght will be completly useless against Ghana, Serbia and Germany and his no good on the ball. Scott McD who i rate very highly clearly cant play as a lone striker even though he did very well against the ROI so as an impact player he might be usefull who knows As for Moory has struggling in the A-league i think his age has gotten the better of him his only going to get slower at the world cup approches i think he should be dropped even if he is a bit of a socceroo hero. I think our starting line up should be ----------Swarts---------- Rhy--Neill--Lorwy--Carney/Chippers --------Grella----Whilkshire--- Berce------Cahill-----Emmo -------------Kewell----- Bench: Holman Scott McD Vidoic Culina (cuz his been playing very average since his come back) Anta Covic OR Gelecovic (if he goes to portsmouth this TR window) Kisnorbo
hoodooguru
Roar Rookie
If Bresciano moves to the left, I think you'll find that Emerton will play up on the right, with Wilkshire at right back and Rhys Williams on the bench in cover. That doesn't leave much room for Garcia, or Sterjovski (who would fit Pim's system better). Wilkshire has impressed at DM, but Culina and Jedinak would be in front of him, as would Valeri if he makes the cut.
hoodooguru
Roar Rookie
And 365 put him in the top 10 worst footballers going to the World Cup: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8750_5772614,00.html
hoodooguru
Roar Rookie
I would love for Viduka to return, and I reckon Pim would too. What chance that he's as big as a house after 6 months off? He would give new meaning to the term 'target man'.
hoodooguru
Roar Rookie
He's been solid rather than spectacular. It is something of a shock that a player in England's third flight is a lock-in for our world cup squad.
Punter
Guest
I personally think that Kewell will take that all important lone striker role & see Bresh in LM. I also think Grella is a big worry, as big as Moore, but for different reasons, injuries, I'd have Wilshire in the middle in DM, so with those two out of the way the way opens up for one of our few EPL players in Garcia.
Gibbo
Guest
unfortuantly for richie we are best equpped with right sided players... emmo, bresh, williams & wilkshire have RM and RB sewn up between them you'd have to reckon...
hoodooguru
Roar Rookie
On Fox last night, Ross Aloisi said there were 2 spots up for grabs. I reckon that's my 3 spots less Vidosic (or possibly Valeri). It would be great for someone like Tommy Oar or Ben Kantarovski to go, but 2 spare spots doesn't leave much room for a 'development player'. In 2006, a couple of young players joined the squad for the training camps. That was good idea that the FFA will hopefully implement again.
Punter
Guest
I just watched a Hull match & one player we have all forgotten who is playing regularly in the Premier League is Richard Garcia. I also saw him play against Man U on the weekend & was one of their best players.
David
Guest
Id say vidoic will go for sure he starts or makes a early apperance off the bench in germany almost every game not to mention his youth and speed is something we lack. I think Moory is well past it i reckon that lowry kid should be given ago as well as spria if he gets a loan which looks almost certain he will. Kisnobro has been playing well for Australia but i dont rate him as a player english div 3 isnt any better then A-league, his had a few lucky games and has impressed but i reckon being 27-28 is too old for a fair un impressive player I think Tommy Ora should go the experience would be very valuable for him and Australias future. No one else beside culina from the A-league should even be mentioned Thompson hs poved many times his a dud for the national team and broques isnt better then scott McD. Strjov and the other two perth boys are all past it and imo struggling in the A-league Mile Jedinak he will go his playing regularly and his doing well in the turkish super league not to mention his only 25 so his still got alot to give the soceroos in the future.
Punter
Guest
Before I look at whos going to Sth Africia, I want to highlight the obvious, the spine of the team needs to be their strength & we badly need a centre back to partner Lucas Neill & a lone striker to hold up the ball & play the midfield in. Craig Moore is a legend of football in this country, we seem to overlook his mistakes because the man has so many credits that he could play till he was 80 years old. But he is not the player he once was, he is still strong in the A-League. His experience may help him in 1or 2 games over in Sth Africa but he will be found out by the best strikers in the world. We need to take a huge chance & take Spiranovic, he is the future & the 2nd best defender we have. Our best 2 strikers McDonald & Kennedy play better with 2 up front, but we all know Pim prefers to play the lone striker, so unless Viduka returns or Ditje all of a sudden finds form, we are in big trouble. So based on your certainties, I would add Viduka/Ditje, Vidosic and Spiranovic. I also think Valeri & Carle are in the running as well to your certianties.