With Pim Verbeek announcing his extended squad for South Africa last week, the focus was rightly on the 30 players who made the cut. Less focus has been given to which seven players of the 30 selected will be watching the tournament on a big screen at the Blacktown Workers Club.
These “not so magnificent seven” that are cut will go from having one of their best days as a professional to one of their worst. All in the space of a month.
Some will be spared more heartbreak than others, though.
By far the unkindest cut of all will be for the three or four players who will leave for Africa as excitable as a kitten, only to be asked to return home before a ball is kicked.
Oh, to be in first class on that cheerful flight home!
So which seven players will Pim eventually chop from the squad?
Of the defenders Jade North (1) and Michael Beauchamp (2) are the men most likely. North has barely played a game in 18 months. We all know what Pim thinks of players who don’t play regularly and whose name isn’t Harry Kewell.
For Beauchamp, he offers no versatility beyond his honest aerial efforts at centre back. Unfortunately for him, other players in the squad can play his position as well as he does and can also play elsewhere.
Turning to the midfield, Mile Jedinak (3), Richard Garcia (4), James Holland (5) and Nicky Carle (6) are all strong candidates to miss a berth in the final 23. Jedinak is held in high regard but he is fighting for one spot with Carl Valeri, who should get the nod if past selections are any guide.
Garcia is not among the elite attacking midfielders in the squad, and James Holland, while picked in the extended squad with the future in mind, has not played a first team match at his Dutch club since February 2009.
He who polarises, Nicky Carle, will fall short as well.
His midfield craft would be a valuable option, but it’s tempting to think that Pim has only picked Carle to placate his advocates in the media, knowing full well in his own mind that Carle has Buckley’s of surviving the final cull.
Of the strikers, Nikita Rukavytsya (7) will draw the short straw. While he adds a much-needed pace option up front, Pim can afford one less specialist striker in the squad with his unwavering faith in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Even with Kewell under a cloud, there are midfielders in the squad that can cover the position if needed.
Despite being more profligate than prolific in a national shirt, Scott McDonald has to be selected as one of the strikers given the faith that’s been shown in him through the qualifiers. To do otherwise would be an embarrassment for Verbeek.
So there you have it: North, Beauchamp, Jedinak, Garcia, Holland, Carle and Rukavytsya will not be at the World Cup.
Of course, this is subject to change, particularly if one of the “not so magnificent seven” has the mettle to take out a teammate on the training paddock.
David
Guest
I cant see Verbeek doing anything besides picking a squad playing a formation that doesn't suit he's team and closing he's eyes and on the 78th min replacing Cahill with Holman...
Moonface
Roar Guru
As other people have mentioned, I would think the starting line up will pick itself and the starting eleven will be basically the same as the last world cup without Viduka and Sterjovski. The bench players will probably be the key to the games, because of injuries and depending on whether we get the early luck or not. Pim will stick with like for like – defensive midfielder for another if things are going our way. Players like Jedinak and Valeri. Let’s be realistic, Kewell, Bresciano and even Grella will be lucky to survive 3 games in 12 days. And if Cahill gets injured early on, well . . . Going to need a lot of luck and some good replacements and some good impact players. Maybe another young Aussie star is born in the heat of the World Cup. The biggest decision will be who he picks as the impact players to come on if we don’t get the early goal, not our fair share of luck, or the wrong refereeing decisions. If we are a goal or two down, who will be asked to come on – a defensive midfielder or should it be an attacker or attacking midfielder who will be able to turn the game – players like Rukya, Carle. Coaches like Pim do well when things go well and you get a goal or two, but when the Socceroos are up against it, he isn’t sure what to do. Hiddink had the right attitude with attack is the best form of defence – when we were one down against Japan, his reverted to a back 3, pushed forward and brought on 2 attackers to win the game decisively. I can’t see Pim doing that.
Gibbo
Guest
no i think mick is right here - the internet and sports blogs are no place for sharing opinions!
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Thanks for the Link Art.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I cant disagree with that Mick* but prior to June 1st I think everyones going to have a stab at predicting who plays. * I also prefer more positive discussion (about the Roos), Foz and Murray both seem to be on board with this too.
Mick
Guest
Look Andy, I just don't think it's healthy to knock players before they've even had a chance to prove themselves.,
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
That's harsh Mick but for your info someotimes I sit on a bean bag rather than an arm chair when watching those late night qualifiers.
Mick
Guest
Armchair experts shooting from the tv couch.....how about you get some real experience 'Junior' before you start mouthing off at players and predicting what Verbeek will do. Are you part of the Socceroos? Give me a break. Leave selection choices to the experts. As we say up in NQ, wise up mate.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
We have Wilkshire who can also play defensive midfield so I don't think we need 5 but I feel it's Valeri that would be more likely to lose out. I am a big Oar fan but would be surprised if he made the 23, Pim has already said as such. Will be interesting too see who he picks for NZ and wether it's all the fringe guys.
Tom
Guest
Agreed. It would be mad to leave out Jedinak given his form in the Turkish league. If we're playing two holding midfielders, then we can certainly afford to bring Grella and Valeri as well. Vidosic and Ruka are both more likely to make the squad than McDonald, I would think. Its funny how keen people are for McDonald to make the squad. His national team performances have been considerably worse than Holman's and he's not really in great form at club level at the moment. And he can only play one position, and its not really a position the Socceroos use in their preferred formation. He seems to have a lot going against him.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Junior - you've got it wrong with Jedinak and Ruka as they will make the 23. Jedinak is a must for the 23. His progression this year in Turkey has been impressive. Check out this vid of highlights from 2 weeks ago in a match between Neill's Galatasaray v Jedinak's Antalyaspor. He is in everything, passing, flicks, defensive duties at set pieces and two assists to win the game for his team. Both times he puts the ball past Neill to find the striker. A midfield dynamo in every sense. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91pA16SM2qQ
David
Guest
Vidosic, Ruka and Jedi will all go lmao.
The Bear
Guest
I would of thought a like for like replacement for Bresciano would be Nick Carle. I think the loss would be easier to take, if it were Carle stepping up for Bresciano. Good speculative article...but why Blacktown??
viper2716
Guest
Who cares i just want it to start . He will only use the same players for each game the rest will carry the gear . Great to see harry kewell on 60 minutes , gave me a huge boost , to see him running.
The Special One
Guest
Injuries aside, i think these will miss the cut. 1/ Beauchamp 2/ Oar 3/ Holland 4/ Vidosic 5/ Garcia 6/ Lowry 7/ North A lot of the younger guys are here just to get used to the experience and it will serve them well in the future, but at this time its too early to be throwing them into the World cup. The biggest injury concern would be Bresciano, who if he doesnt make the final squad, would be replaced by Garcia.