Australia’s Socceroos World Cup players, Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill and Harry Kewell pose for team photo in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, May 19, 2010. AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill.
Regardless of whether he is Australian captain or not, the time has come to pull stumps on Lucas Neill’s international career.
In the last 12 months it has become increasingly clear that he simply can no longer cut the mustard.
He is constantly caught out in defence and his lack of pace has become a liability, which has become increasingly evident given the pacey sides around Asia, and most recently and explicitly at the 2010 World Cup.
Whilst some will argue that he simply is our best option, I disagree.
Sure he has a tremendous amount of experience and no one can doubt his leadership abilities, but there are players waiting in the wings that can certainly do the job.
Mark Milligan has looked astute in all his offering in the Socceroos kit, and given four years as a focal point, he will only get better.
Michael Beauchamp showed his capabilities at the last World Cup, and although now back in the A-League, Beauchamp was commendable when called upon in South Africa.
Mathew Spiranovic is whom many hail as the leader of the next generation of Australian defenders. He has spent the last few years with Nurenberg, although most recently has been on loan with Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan. Why not give Spiranovic the opportunity many of his fans have been calling fall?
As well include the likes of Rhys Williams and Shane Lowry. Two young defenders with European experience, contracted to both Middlesbrough and Aston Villa respectively. Both have valuable experience with both playing internationally at youth level with Wales and the Republic of Ireland before swearing allegiance to the Socceroos in the last 18 months. This international experience will do them both the world of good in making the next step.
Adrian Leijer is also a player I feel should not be discounted. Still quite young at 23, yet has numerous seasons in the A-League already under his belt, as well as a spell with English Premier League side Fulham – although some may say unsuccessful – the experience gained would prove valuable to his career.
Patrick Kisnorbo is another. Currently with Leeds United although out long-term with injury. He would have been knocking down the door of Craig Moore for the World Cup given his form last season. Although older than most of the names given here, he is experienced and well worth the position.
Neill’s performance yesterday morning against Slovenia again showed his glaring lack of pace. It is clearly evident now and Neill is only going to get slower in the ensuing four years.
He is currently playing in Turkey with Galatasaray, and with all due respect to the Turkish league it is certainly no EPL, Seria A or La Liga. The import rule that exists in the Turkish Division means the quality is hurt from the lack of imports. This too could be effecting Neill’s decline.
The time is right to make the move. The Socceroos are in a period of change and we should start making the hard decisions now… and not when it is too late.
The numerous up and comers mentioned above may not fill the Australian public with confidence that they can fill the void of Neill right now, but given time and four years of international football under their belts, the Australian back four will be more than up to the mark in 2014 in Brazil whichever options they use.
Soccergirl
Guest
Lucas Neill is a great captain and is very solid in defence. We all have a bad game here or there, but that doesn't mean we should kick him out. He has alot of experience in the game - even though there may be others who are faster, they lack the experience that Neill has. I vote 100% to keep him as captain. Besides, we are getting a large number of younger players in now - they need to have experienced players like Neill, Kewell and Schwartzer to guide them and get them even stronger in their game so by the next world cup we will get into the final 16 (at least).
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Kisnorbo played plenty under Pim even though leeds were only in league 2 at the time. Killkenny blamed Arnolds involvement as they had a falling out at the Olympics.
chocolatecoatedballs
Guest
never understood why Pim never even had Kisnorbo or Kilkenny in a game under his tenure, not even a friendly, a lot of players may have missed the boat because of his ignorance of Australian players, or should we blame the FFA for that?
jimbo
Roar Guru
Agree MVDave. I've always admired Lucas as a great player for Australia over the years and he was one of the best at Germany 06. He's also contibuting his own money in setting up the Lucas Neill football scholarship for young Australians to train in England. Chris Payne was the inaugural recipient. But as he gets older he doesn't have the same physical attributes. I can't see him making it to Brasil 14 but his greatest value will be his experience and knowledge that he can pass on. He will one day coach the Socceroos and prove to be a valuable asset and the first Australian to appear in the WC finals as player, captain and manager.
Cpaaa
Roar Pro
Agree...its time to clean out the closet. Starting with Neil, next Kewell (unless fit) and Schwarzer are in line for demotion. 100% Neil to go, its been my feeling for quite some time.
JB
Guest
You serious?? He's still pretty solid in defence. And passionate. And one of the few who could be captain. Craig Moore should have given up 4 years ago, or at least been dropped 4 years ago because he is old and slow. Neill still has it though. And yes Ogenovski should have been in the side long ago. He's a great defender.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Sssshhhhhhh!!!! ;)
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
Og (again, if he's eligable and not committed to Macedonia) is 31, and has never been at a level good enough for europe, playing well in China at the moment, but he'll have just turned 35 in the lead up to the 2014 world cup (3 April 1979), and look at the problems that cannavaro had at that age in the last world cup, and he was the best player in the world four years prior...
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Oops, I nearly let the secret out of the bag that we are all just aliases of Mister Football
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
Patrick Kisnorbo is currently 29... again this isn't exactly planning for the future. He will be nearly the same age as moore in 2014...
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
Didn't Og play for macedonia as pim constantly overlooked him for the a-league socceroos?
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Qatar would be the perfect tournament for Ognenovski but I agree I think his chance is gone. Not so much because he missed the world cup, because even if he was just in the B teams that played the Asian cup qualifiers (where he would have again been well suited) the dream would still be alive.
Art Sapphire
Guest
what's up now, Andyroo? ASX, Aussie Dollar, brownie points with the missus? I don't have a dependence on 442 like the poor General does :)
dasilva
Guest
To be honest, if we just going to pick one experience defender to go to the Asia Cup to guide a younger player. I think I would just stick with Lucas. He played reasonably well against Serbia and Ghana and a poor match against Slovenia (as well as a shocker against Germany) shouldn't get him dropped yet Unfortunately Ognenovski time was past when Pim Verbeek ignored him for the 2010 world cup
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
It's up now Art.
General Ashnak
Guest
Oh, not long term, just Asian Cup - long term we need to be looking at our much younger CBs. Also must say I am going a little insane with 442 being down! Never in my life have I missed a website before today...
dasilva
Guest
Problem is that the og monster is only 1 year younger then Neill and will be 35 by 2014. I don't think he will a long term solution to our defence.
General Ashnak
Guest
I am a firm champion of the Og monster, he has been immense for the teams he has played for. Frankly Luca$h can be put out to farm, I would much prefer the next generation of defenders to play with someone who does not through their hands up every time a call goes against them and is much cleaner in the way they play than Luca$h.
Fisher Price
Guest
Neill struggles most of the time. Rates himself, though.
MVDave
Guest
l believe with the right 'training' Lucas Neill could well be a future Socceroos coach. Definitely keep him involved in the coaching set up. He is articulate and presents well and would be an excellent choice for a home grown candidate if things went well.