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Ange Postecoglou has wandered around Europe and Australia looking for the best of the best we have to offer in each of the positions available.
Soon we will know his choices. I’ve made mine, and I’d love to hear yours for the upcoming Ecuador match.
Here’s the options as I see them…
The Goalkeeper
Surely the front-runner after the departure of Mark Schwarzer is Mat Ryan at Club Brugge.
A pleasure to watch since we started seeing him at Central Coast Mariners, he is improving a lot each year, with a promising future ahead.
Other possibilities are Mitch Langerak, although he is not getting the game time needed, or Eugene Galekovic, though he would seem too old for what the Soccerroos are looking for.
The Defenders
At left back, a troublesome position for the Soccerroos of late, Michael Zullo almost selects himself, based on the form he’s having.
Same goes for Jason Davidson at left centre back. Some backup in the squad of having Craig Goodwin might be helpful.
As far as a right centre back goes, you could pick Michael Thwaite, Matt Smith or Trent Sainsbury from the A-League to give both a commanding presence and leadership in the backline, as well as some solid skills.
Hard to pick between them, though to be honest, as long as Lucas Neill isn’t playing, I’ll be happy.
At right back, you can’t go past Ivan Franjic, who is having a stunning season, and the added flexibility of playing well just about anywhere.
I would have been tempted to pick Jade North in the backline, but watching him in the A-League for Brisbane he doesn’t seem to play as well of late.
Possibilities as well for David Carney (CB) or Luke Wilkshire (CB), who are playing well, but don’t really fit with the desire to try the new or young players.
The Midfield
Though injured of late, I’d still pick Matt McKay in the squad, as a left winger, rather than at left back, where he’s been played previously.
You can’t go past Mile Jedinak as a Central Midfielder for the cracker season he’s having in the Premier League.
I’d go with him as captain as well.
Working alongside Mark Milligan in the centre of the park will serve them well, as well as working with Tommy Oar down the right wing.
So many good options in midfield, though.
I wanted to put in Tom Rogic down the left wing, though he’d probably work better off the bench as a sub (for impact value).
Mark Bresciano is always good in central midfield, though he isn’t match fit, and surely the purpose is to test younger players.
It pains me to leave Adam Sarota out, particularly given how good quality he is, but to drop Milligan or Jedinak would be a mistake.
It likewise seems a pity to leave Nikita Rukavytsa out – maybe he could sub for Oar as he tires.
A second striker/attacking midfielder
Dario Vidosic is extremely skilful in this role and is hard to go past, though Mitch Nichols, Aaron Mooy or James Troisi would certainly step in well here.
Striker
Tim Cahill, though sometimes more of an attacking midfielder would serve us well up front here, as would Josh Kennedy.
I think Archie Thompson will be forcibly retired, so he’s out of the running. However, if the aim is to test the young guns, surely giving Adam Taggart, Tomi Juric or David Williams would be worth testing out on this stage
So my squad and first team choices as outlined above would be
Goalkeeper
1st choice
Mat Ryan (GK) Club Brugge
Reserves
Mitchell Langerak
Eugene Galekovic
Defenders
1st choice second choice
Michael Zullo (LB/LW) Craig Goodwin (LB)
Jason Davidson (LB/CB) Matt Smith/David Carney (CB)
Michael Thwaite (CB/DM) Trent Sainsbury (CB)
Ivan Franjic (RB/RW) Luke Wilkshire (Right Back)
Midfielders
1st choice second choice
Matt McKay (LM) Tom Rogic (LW)
Mile Jedinak (CM) Mark Bresciano (CM)
Mark Milligan (CM) Adam Sarota (CM)
Tommy Oar (RM/AM/W) Nikita Rukavytsa (RW)
Second Striker/Attacking Midfielder
1st choice second choice
Dario Vidosic (AM) Mitch Nichols (AM)
Aaron Mooy /James Troisi (AM)
Forwards
1st choice second choice
Tim Cahill Tomi Juric
Josh Kennedy Adam Taggart/David Williams (FW)
Do you agree that these players are the best for these positions against Ecuador or would you pick someone else.
What do you think? What would your squad be? And why?
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