Thompson slams Socceroos' critics

LOL - too true! I dont mind that he is insane, what I also don't mind is him having a pot at unamed critics f his age when having finaly been givn a decent run - he is knocking them in for fun... I have a much bigger problem with the comments of our keeper in recent months frankly.

Johnno, Regarding Thompson, last I checked Belgium is in Europe? He managed to score a goal every other game there over 187 appearances for Lierse. He was also a part of the 06 WC squad. He didn't get any playing minutes but he was a member of that squad. Sure he's not my cup of tea either and I agree that he's not the answer but let's get it right if we're going to bag a bloke.

great point Griffo on holman. his best games have been playing central, his name is even 'hole man', and yet HO persists with playing him where he has been consistently less effective. perhaps the emergence (finally) of Oar will allow HO to swing Brett back into the centre, somehow.

Unlike the Jordan game for example, 4 of the factors that make games in Asia so difficult weren't factors in this one. Iraq were a very weak side. The game was played on neutral territory in reasonable weather conditions and on an excellent pitch. That we created so few chances was down to our lack of creativity, which goes back to Osieck's team selection. It then took him 20 minutes too long to make changes, by which time we'd lost our way and were a goal down. None of these factors were "Asia" related. I'm sorry Ballymore but the blanket statement "no easy games in Asia" can't be thrown up every time people want to critique what was a very poor performance tactically.

Hi all I live and work in Jordan and was at the Socceroos game last month. Make no mistake this is a football crazy country. The Nashama, is the pinnacle of sport here, and Jordan is a small, but very proud country and football team. When they play they are literally playing for their countries pride. And especially when they play, what they perceive to be the "big" teams in Asia, like Japan and Australia. National team players are mainly from the 3 main domestic clubs: Wehdat, Faisaly and Ramtha, so their teamwork and the understanding is already there, not developed during a 5-day pre-game camp, like the Socceroos, with players from, I am guessing, about 18 different clubs. The atmosphere at the Socceroos game was intimidating. Not "fear for your life" intimidating, but scary, and certainly nothing the Socceroos players would be used to. I have seen the Socceroos play in Australia and at the World Cup, and the atmosphere was on another planet compared to those games. Don't forget that Jordan came within minus 2 minutes of beating Japan at the Asian Cup, after Japan scored in the 92nd minute to snatch a draw. So please please do not underestimate how hard it is to get a result in the Middle East - at home Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar are not easybeats. Away from home is a different story and they simply don't travel well. So I would expect the Socceroos to take all 9 points from the upcoming games, PROVIDED they play well.

When will people learn that a) away WCQs are hard & b) Asian teams are no push over. 6 years in people still can't work it out. Slow learners it seems. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.

Whether you agree or disagree with Thompson, I much prefer someone passionately speaking their mind than producing the usual cliche-ridden dribble so often heard in sports interviews. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.

A win is always good. We were positioned better, passing better and running off the ball more than previous game. Holger putting a rocket up their collective backsides, fueled by standing near the abyss of not qualifying for Brazil had as much to do with the performance as not playing UAE. Iraq were set up for the counter attack, but were dangerous and no walkover. I wonder how much their Sweden friendly cost them. The Iraq Socceroos are a bare minimum needed for the rest of the qualifiers. The Jordan Socceroos should never be seen again. Jordan et al are no Solomon Islands et al - Asia is not Oceania. We should be tough for these teams away, with respect, but never a cake walk. We should not be fearing them, however. We should never fear anyone. McKay will be left back unless someone new impresses against South Korea. Cahill's move to MLS seems to be agreeing with him. Second game Holman has drifted in and out - wide positions not suiting him as good as being in behind the strikers. Bresc not used at all...interesting. Then if Kennedy returns... 3/4 home games now. Do Kangaroos have nine lives like cats? We have used up all but one - a loss in Japan is our only slip-up permitted now. We can do it.

Hey Archie, news to make you sad again, Danny Allsop resigns tonight, forthwith. http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/253929,victory-allsopp-quits-immediately.aspx Probably found out that he didn't have a role in the new tiki-taka, 1-4-6-0 formation that Ange is moving to. But hats off to Danny, did provide some memorable stuff. Thanks.

Great to have a go at your critics when you've scored 3 in 3 games including the winner in a vital away WC qualifier...touché Archie. The Socceroos are on track to qualify but only half the matches are complete...plenty still to do. Seems that many have very short memories or are too young to remember that we couldn't qualify for 32 years! We have managed to qualify twice in a row but l am certainly not willing to take that for granted as some here seem to. It ain't no formality...don't care whether the middle eastern teams are rubbish or not they will fight to the death (almost) and playing in extreme weather conditions ain't easy. Out team is far from perfect and needs some changes however to come from behind and win, playing away, against a fierce ( if not technically gifted opposition) with qualification at significant risk then l would describe it as a very gutsy effort. The team could have capitulated and then we would have had something to whinge about. Small steps for us, we have a 7 year old national league and a limited number of players in the top world leagues. Nothing wrong with being critical to bring about the right outcome...however to slag off the team after the effort put in to come from behind and beat Iraq away is just not on in my eyes.

So because Steve Horvat messed up the offside trap 15 years ago anything Bosnich says is to be disregarded?? Having said that neither he nor Slater offer any insight. I just object to the logic of such arguments :) :)

We scored 2 & created at least 4 more (Robbie K went 1m wide, Timmy had a shot saved, Matty McKay got behind the defence but his cut back was slightly wide; Robbie K got behind the defence & Timmy took a shot instead of leaving it for Holman to tap into an empty net) But, I agree, we should have created much much more. Unlike other matches, I was totally relaxed in this match ... until that counter-attack when IRQ scored. For once, our defence was never troubled. Schwarzer had one save all night.

Iraq were only slightly better ;) Obviously joking but they were woeful so dominating them is hardly worthy of praise That Bosnich and Slater didn't make it to a WC is irrelevant. Jose Mourinho never played professionally while Roy Keane was superb. One of those two knew a bit about coaching and tactics and one didn't. Poor argument

American Samoa was pretty dominant.....

What game were you watching Fuss? We created 3 chances of note before the goals. Against a very very poor Iraq team. Not their excellent sides of the past. We were undoubtedly the better side but carried no threat, due to the non-selection of anyone bar Kruse with an ounce of creativity. Most of the possession was in the back 2/3 against a side who put no pressure on the ball. As soon as vision and technique was required we lost possession. I'd much rather us have 50-50 possession but more quality in the front 3rd. The '97 Iran game (wipes his eyes as he types) was a superb first half performances where we created 8-10 great chances (Aurelio tut-tut). Iraq was scrappy and horrid. Not saying the sky is falling, or sack Osieck, but don't put lipstick on a pig and call it Total Football (or mix your sayings!)

Bosnich was shaking his head after the game saying we won but geez ... I'm with Bozza. BUT, to say I wasn't thrilled (and stunned) by the win would be an understatement. I damn want Holger's Socceroos to get to Rio and then let's ride our luck even further.

Simon Hill ... "expert"? Give me a break. Simon's a football fan & I have as much regard for his views as anyone else, who is merely a fan & hasn't played senior international football. Bozza - superstar, who has played at the highest level. His knowledge of the Game - particularly, international football - is beyond question. When studying "Evidence" during my undergraduate days, I learnt that, when it comes to weighing up "expert opinion" - most often opposing views - a decision-maker will give higher weight to the opinion of the more qualified expert. So, I fully accept Bozza's & Robbie Slater's views. I also accept the views of Lucas Neill & Mark Schwarzer, who have both played football at the highest level - just like Bozza & Robbie. The thing about Bozza & Robbie is that ... they never ever played in a FIFA WC finals tournament. They FAILED when the pressure was on. They BOTH played in that team in Nov-97 at the MCG against IRQ. By contrast, Lucas & Schwarzer have proven they have the bottle. Schwarzer saved the penalties that got us to the WC in 2006 & he saved numerous goals that got us to the WC in 2010. Lucas had the bottle to take a penalty in the shoot out against URU. He was a standout player in Germany. So, at this stage, I pay more attention to Lucas & Schwarzer; than I do to Bozza & Slater.

If Holger would blood a few promising players in meaningless friendlies he'd have a gauge of their abilities and have more depth, and importantly more COMPETITION for places. A large part of the problem in recent games is that some players aren't pushed by fear of non-selection. That we don't have an experienced stand-in for our heroic, but 40 year old Keeper is simply because he plays him in every game. Ditto left back, right back and centre back.

You are simply unbelievable, you really are, Fussball. How you saw that game and Simon Hill, who described the Australian performance as "excruciating", and Bosinich and Slater saw a different game is beyond me. You are forever tipping your hat to "experts". I take it you have somehow managed to completely disregard Hill, Bosnich and Slater, all of whom were absolutely damning of Australia's performance against a very poor opponent.