After another accomplished display on the left flank by Michael Zullo and Matt McKay for the Socceroos last night against Oman, will David Carney be able to break back in to the Socceroos squad?
Carney has been out of the Socceroo squad for some time with injury, and just recently he signed a deal with Spanish second division club AD Alcorcón.
Since 2006, when he has largely taken over from another makeshift left back – Scott Chipperfield – Carney has held down the Australian left defender spot, picking up 39 caps for his country.
Carney, like Chipperfield, is normally a left winger or attacker and was forced into a defensive role because of the Socceroos’ lack of left-footed players.
Chipperfield was a roaring success at left back with a great touch, high work-rate, good reading of the game and solid positioning play.
The former bus driver’s success led many to believe that the same would apply to Carney. It has not.
Don’t get me wrong, Carney has done well for Australia in a position he never should have played. He’s popped up and scored some great goals, six in fact, including memorable strikes against Ireland and Paraguay.
But a left back is not there to score goals. He is there to make runs, defend stoutly, be strong in the tackle, track attacking runs and clear off the line. He is there to cross the ball, support play and get the ball to the midfield. A goal from a left-sided defender is a bonus.
Carney is, and has always been, an attack-minded player. Hence his best club spells at Sydney FC where he has been in that role, and the 27-year old has signed to play with AD Alcorcón as a left winger.
Carney’s defensive frailties have long been an issue for Socceroos’ supporters, particularly after his failure to cover the far post for the decisive goal in the Asian Cup final against Japan.
And then along comes Michael Zullo and Matt McKay. Both naturally left-midfielders or players used to playing further up the park, the ex-Brisbane Roar pair are performing very well at left back for Australia. Suddenly we have some depth in that tricky position.
Many were dismayed at Ersam Gulum’s defection to play for Turkey, but with Zullo and McKay we have stability and promise. Both are quick, nimble and technically sound. Both are unafraid to get stuck in and are settling into international football very nicely.
I can’t see Carney getting back into the Socceroos squad, not as a left back. He has always been a left winger, and that is where he should stay.
He should be competing with the likes of Brosque, Holman and Kewell for the left midfield or left forward Socceroo position, rather than be Australian’s answer to Ashley Cole, Gareth Bale or Philip Lahm.
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