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Brett, we should have done this a long time ago. But now that you will grace the field with a Premier League club, it seems fitting to make it official. We, the football people of Australia, are sorry.
For the first four years of your Socceroo career, bar the goal you scored against China on debut, we derided you. We chastised you. We used you as a scapegoat.
Now every Socceroo fan has egg on their face.
What you have done since the start of the 2010 World Cup has been remarkable. Your goal against Ghana was a joyous occasion. Your goal against Serbia simply exquisite.
That you flourished under Pim Verbeek is even more awe inspiring. That man would have trouble getting Barcelona playing in an entertaining and expressive way. The less said about him the better.
You have forged out a long career in the Dutch Eredevise, playing at this high level to the bemusement of many Socceroo fans who didn’t see such experience translate to the green and gold.
You made us wait, but now you are delivering. Each time you have stepped out for the team since that game against Ghana you have been exemplary. You tenaciously defend, hustle and press, an essential ability needed to play the most modern styles of football.
You have a technical ability with the ball at your feet unmatched in the Australian side. You have even won the praise of our team’s harshest critic, SBS Chief Football Analyst Craig Foster. He believes you play in the space behind the strikers and in front of the holding midfielders superbly.
You are almost the only option we have in this vitally important position. So much so that Tim Cahill’s place in the starting eleven has been questioned.
You are what all upcoming Australian footballers should aspire to be. A player who displays intelligent movement, advanced penetrating passing and sound technical quality. You balance this with admirable defensive skills.
You are the perfectly rounded modern footballer.
The Premier League is where you deserve to be.
However be wary. Alex McLeish does not exactly play a pretty game. His sides, especially when he was successful at Birmingham, were built on tight defense. He is yet to impress at Aston Villa.
Regardless of this, hopefully the arrival of a player like yourself changes the mindset at Villa Park.
Best wishes in the Barclays Premier League Brett, you will succeed.
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