Passing the armband in the Socceroos

Whilst watching Australia’s insipid performance against Egypt the other night, I couldn’t help but contemplate the post Lucas Neill era.

Like many of his teammates, Lucas wasn’t at his best against Egypt, hasn’t been for some time, and sadly I can not see his form reversing.

He will be 36 come Brazil 2014 and surely no longer an automatic selection. He did himself no favours pre-game either, with his stunningly out of line comments about his perception of Egypt’s gamesmanship, due to a longer than expected bus ride the Aussies had to endure before their training hit out.

He commented that Australia should in future follow Egypt’s example and that we were being, “Way too honest and way too nice” to visiting teams and was critical that we leave our visitors with a feeling of, “Wow, what a fantastic country.” Isn’t that exactly the perception we want to convey before the December 2nd announcement?

His comments were at best ill thought out, at worst they were damaging to our bid. Not the words we should be hearing from our captain in a country that has a member on the FIFA executive committee, eligible to vote on December 2nd.

Those comments aside, there’s no doubt he’ll lead the Socceroos with pride into January’s Asian Cup and give his heart and soul for the green and gold, as he always does.

But post January 2011, the FFA must look to the future – a future that does not include Lucas Neill, at least not as Australia’s captain.

At the completion of the Asian Cup, I expect there to be some changes to the national set up, as Holger will look to build a younger team with Brazil 2014 in mind. This in my opinion is also the optimal time to hand over the captain’s armband. Which begs the question, who is next in line to lead the Socceroos?

One assumes the FFA and Holger will choose a captain that can see us through to Brazil 2014. Most likely ruling out our current deputy in Mark Schwarzer.

So the obvious name that springs to mind is Tim Cahill. Arguably our best and most high profile player. He also possesses all the off-field qualities required by an Australian captain and is a leading example for all our young hopefuls trying to make a name for themselves in Europe.

He is well regarded and recognised throughout Europe and idolised by so many back home for his exploits in the Premier League.

The only problem is that Timmy will be 34 years old by the time Brazil 2014 is upon us. Will a 34 year old still be in our best 11? I believe he will be. Unlike Neill, Cahill still has some of his best years ahead of him in my opinion, which is evident by his current run of form. His Everton contract is due to expire in 2014, which will take him into his 34th year and up to the World Cup in Brazil.

Cahill, while not officially captain of his club – that responsibility falls to the ‘evergreen’ Phil Neville – did deputise for Everton while Neville was injured earlier in the season and there is no doubt that he is an on-field leader for the Toffees and held in the highest of regard at the club.

There are other elder statesmen that I’m sure would love the job and no doubt fulfil it with aplomb. Jason Culina, Brett Emerton and Luke Wilkshire to name a few.

But they too will be well into their 30’s and if the FFA chooses an established Socceroo, then I would assume they will fall below Cahill in the pecking order.

Unfortunately our younger generation of leaders do not appear ready at present to make the step up to captain the Socceroos, given their current standings in the game.

Players such as Nathan Burns, Matthew Spiranovic and Rhys Williams are all yet to cement their places in their respective club teams either due to injury or lack of opportunity and are not yet guaranteed a place in the Socceroos starting 11 – surely one of the many criteria that needs to be ticked for a prospective Socceroo captain.

So post Asian Cup, I hope to see a new generation of players step up in preparation for Brazil 2014.

And for the FFA and Australian public to thank Lucas for his fantastic years as Aussie captain as he hands the reins over to ‘Super Timmy’, who will hopefully lead the younger brigade to qualification and beyond.