Socceroos begin new era against Slovenia

yes, the A-League players were excluded because of the beginning of the season though I assume North is still in Europe. Spiranovic is just starting to firm up his starting position at Uruwa so I'm not surprised to see him missing. I would have liked to have seen Davidson in the mix and must confess I'm happy to see Djite and Burns back.

Milligan is actually quite young (25 I think) and has been involved in 2 world cups to a degree so I'm not really surprised at his selection even though his current situation and some of his career decisions aren't inspiring. Perhaps Spiranovic they are leaving out for the good of his club career in which case fair enough. North and Garcia I just don't see the point at all. In their prime for the 2010 world cup they didn't offer much, they are not guys that are going to contribute much if anything in 2014. I'm also a little dubious on Neil, Schwarzer and Cahill even but at least they are top quality players and citizens to have around for training. I just for the life of me can't see why we are taking 28 and 29 year olds to be on the bench for this game.

MacDonald has had his chance I think. Burns is going to play as the number 10! We could see an all out pace front 5 at some point in this game - now wouldn't that be sweet, a 5 man fast counter from the Socceroos =)~

Pretty strong squad and shows the depth when there are a lot more who were unlucky not to be selected. The young players who get selected in the next few Socceroos games will have the edge to establish themselves in the team for the next WC. Every game will be like a selection trial. No A-League players selected - wonder if they were excluded because the season is just about to kick off?

North is 28 and he hasn't made the grade. Why not select a player like Gulum instead? I feel much the same way about Garcia. By selecting Milligan, North and Garcia, we are treading water. None of them have the ability or the years in the tank to be of any use long term.

Jade NORTH - I am disappointed with this selection, why not Spiranovic, Sasa or Golum. Jon McKAIN I’m surprised but no problem with his selection Mark MILLIGAN a little meh Richard GARCIA too me it looks like the squad needs another full back rather than a midfielder, would have liked too see Davidson in this spot. Happy with the forwards chosen (is Macdonald injured?)

Squad has been announced Player Club, Country A-International matches (goals) Nathan BURNS AEK Athens, Greece - Tim CAHILL Everton FC, England 42 (21) David CARNEY FC Twente, Netherlands 27 (3) Bruce DJITE Genclerbirlgi SK, Turkey 8 (0) Adam FEDERICI Reading FC, England 1 (0) Richard GARCIA Hull City, England 9 (0) James HOLLAND AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands 4 (0) Brett HOLMAN AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands 34 (4) Mile JEDINAK Genclerbirlgi SK, Turkey 12 (0) Shane LOWRY Aston Villa, England - Mark MILLIGAN JEF United, Japan 10 (1) Jon McKAIN Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia 12 (0) Lucas NEILL Galatasaray SK, Turkey 59 (0) Jade NORTH Tromsø IL, Norway 28 (0) Thomas OAR FC Utrecht, Netherlands 2 (0) Nikita RUKAVYTSYA Hertha Berliner SC, Germany 6 (0) Mark SCHWARZER Fulham FC, England 78 (0) Carl VALERI Sassuolo, Italy 25 (0) Dario VIDOSIC FC Nurnberg, Germany 7 (1) Luke WILKSHIRE FK Dinamo Mosco w, Russia 45 (2)

General At least I know I'm nto the only radical :) I actually like Lucas and Kewell (I can’t think of any Socceroos I don’t like) but I would still ditch them both. I wouldn’t nessessarily retire them but I would give them a sabbatical and see where they are at in a couple of years as to the likelihood of them being able to contribute at all in 2014. Emerton and Schwarzer too. Neil is available for the Asian cup and I would want 2 experienced centre backs in that squad to go along with Spiranovic and Lowry. I would however prefer Beauchamp and Sasa for those spots. Beauchamp because he’s a little bit younger than Neil and seems a bit faster and is an outside (though very outside) shot as a squad player for 2014. Sasa because I think he would perform better than Neil in the conditions. This would also mean I could give the captaincy to Valeri.

I would like to see Sasa in the squad and Luca$h dropped. Of course that will probably never happen.

Too right!

andyroo - good pick up. I forgot about Gulum, just like the FFA did for a time. "Gulum has not appeared in Australian colours since an Olyroos camp in 2007, and is upset about Football Federation Australia's indifferent attitude towards his achievements of the last 24 months. “No one (from FFA) has bothered to contact me since I left the Olyroos. That’s the honest truth. I’m disappointed,” Gulum said. “I’m not ruling out the Australian national team at all. It’s just who calls me up first, to be honest.” “If Australia called me to the national team, just for a cap or something, then I’d be more than willing.” Better get on the phone Mr. Berger http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/aussies-abroad/news/1014563/Gulum-realises-Besiktas-dream

Gulum who just signed for Bestikas is an option (get him capped now would be nice). Lowry and Neil with Golum and Baily Wright as cover are options. Is one of the Mcgown brothers a centre back…I can’t recall and am relying on FM for that one.

I'm disappointed Vidmar chose this position instead of coaching a club overseas.

Off the top of my head. We are going to struggle to find someone to partner Neill in the middle of defence. Especially as Kisnorbo might still be injured. Berger might put Lowry in there or maybe even play Jedinak down back. We've got plenty of cover everywhere else. European based players not in EPL - be interesting who gets called up. GK - Federici, Jones, Covic Wilkshere, Neill, Carney, Lowry, Williams,Valeri, Jedinak Holman, Ruka, Burns, Bresciano, Holman, Rukavytsya, Kewell

Could be some interesting names if it's a European squad without the EPL players (all our oldies).

Here's to hoping that Nathan Burns is back on the radar