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?
Nachos supreme
Guest
What's the recovery time for a broken Patella?
Mantis
Roar Guru
I agree id play him at CB and milligan CDM.
Jonathan
Guest
Are any of them any good at parking? We're gonna get killed. We're Saudi Arabia 2002.
Aljay
Guest
When I saw Carney listed as a CB I took the whole article as either a troll, or an attempt to prove that anything could get published on the roar.
Sam Clark
Roar Rookie
Lucas Neill is rubbish. He was once a very good mid-table defender in the EPL but as soon as he want to the the Super Lig, things went very very south for his career. After his stint at Galatasaray was cut, he has been moving in and out of clubs with all the verve of a 17 year old male losing their virginity - and now he can't even get a gig in a Championship's U-21 side. Yes, he has been a great servant, yes he deserves respect. But he does not deserve to be in Brazil; he will not have a club and even if he does - where will he be playing? Where the most money is, I'd suspect. Sainsbury, Spiranovic, Wilkinson, Wright, Lowry, Mrcela, Good.. these are options for the WC squad. We have to think about 2015 and a trophy we actually have a chance of winning (if Japan's XI gets a series of injuries/lobotomies before January.) In regards to this article, it's hard to take it seriously when it suggests playing David Carney at CB. I'll direct you to his exploits for NY Red Bulls whilst playing at LB...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz4J_7diKLQ Unforunately I couldn't find the video where he slips over to let a defender in. Quality stuff.
Squizz
Guest
Ange knows the HAL. What he doesn't know are the OS players. Given the time of year in the HAL and the amount of work some teams have in the coming months and the lack of football in Asia at the moment I wouldn't be surprised to see an all European based side. The team is about Ange - not the players. He has an ego and will not be afraid to gamble. Ange needs to know what the fringe players can do. I think that he will go for a very experimental team - given a lot of people games that haven't had them and given last chances to one or two others. Ryan Langerak Bouzanis Davidson Smith Lowry Good Wright Mrcela Wilkshire Herd Luongo Jedinak Holland Valeri Oar Halloran Bozanic Vidosic Sarota Leckie McDonald Ruka Sainsbury and Amini (both injured) may also be called into camp
jamesb
Guest
Dylan Neill has been a great servant for Australian football. But there comes a time where we have to move on from Neill. That time is now.
fadida
Guest
Agree the message Neill's selection would send. I also think he's been a brilliant leader and player for the NT, and as such deserves respect
Bondy
Guest
Bill It appears we are no longer waiting with baited breath on 34-35 yr olds being fit for tournament play. Thank heavens. Dylan I dont some much like criticism of skippers but people are entitled to their opinion/s I believe, he is a big boy. I dont think largely an unemployed professional leading the nation is a good look.
bill boomer
Guest
I disagree. Niell would be the worst selection Ange could make. The statement it'd make not just to the football world but more importantly to our aspiring youngsters would be disasterous. He may have had a good career but the last few years he was a disaster with transfer after non performing transfer. He is clubless and unwanted what pace he had is gone and he is 36. His selection says to younger players just forget it guys. He should have retired long since by now.
Dylan Arvela
Roar Guru
Fair enough to have your opinion on the matter but the whole article just seems to be a bit of salt and pepper, a bit hear a bit there... Some of the players you have mentioned (Sarota, Goodwin, Mooy) are very interesting and it would be very intriguing for Ange to play them. I have to say though the small part about "as long as Lucas Neill isn't playing, I'll be happy" is fairly disrespectful. Regardless of his last few performances he is the national captain and one of the greatest Socceroos of all time so to seemingly categorise him as rubbish is unfair. He would most certainly not be the worst option for Postecoglou to take to Brazil.
Daniel Hackett
Roar Rookie
Milligan Bresc Rogic Oar, Cahill, McKay Subs: Langerak, Jones, WIlkshire, Spiranovic, Herd, Zullo, Holland, Sarota, Vidosic, Holman, Leckie, Kennedy Reserves: Galekovic, Good, Valeri, Troisi, Ruka
Daniel Hackett
Roar Rookie
Thwaite?? hahah Carney at Cb?? hahahahahaha Ok iv now that iv got that out of my system here's my squad... Ryan Franjic, Jedinak, Sainsbury, Davidson
Pale Paxton
Guest
Would love to see Sainsbury and Spiranovic together in defense though I know it won't happen given Sainbsury is out injuried... Given that the Asian comp hasn't yet started we can safely say that the players who play in those leagues won't be in the squad (shame on Wilko). Bresc won't be there given his ban. Ange will again select two goalkeepers and add another out field player to the squad. Would love to see the following in the squad: Ryan, Langerak, Franjic, Wilkshere, Spiranovic, Good, Wright, Lowry, Mrcela, Davidson, Zullo, Milligan, Jedinak, Sorata, Rogic, McKay, Luongo/Mooy, Leckie, Oar, Ruka, Halloran (if fit), Cahill, Bozanic
Holly
Guest
No Leckie ? No Spiranovic ? Thwaite !! - please no. He is OK at A League level but doesn't have the touch or discipline for international football.
bill boomer
Guest
Can't believe you only rate Juric as 'honourable mention'. As our one "x factor" player i see him as a must even if only as impact off the bench.
fadida
Guest
Good is a chance given our lack of defenders. I would choose our best available side, which means that the likes of Og and North miss out, rather than being excluded because of age. The need for mobility naturally deselects a few
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Not too much wrong with your squad, except for the back line and Tommy Rogic. Rogic is not a left winger. To play him there would be to have him marked out of the match, as he would need more pace then he has to beat his markers. Nichols and Rogic are frontrunners for Attacking Midfielder, with Bozanic close behind. As much as I love Vidosic, he isn't getting enough game time at Sion, starting on the bench in recent weeks. Swap Thwaite for Spiranovic, and Craig Goodwin (who is a good attacker, but less convincing in defensive duties) for Curtis Good or Dylan McGowan, Ryan McGowan or Tomislav Mrcela. Take your pick Ange, but lets not rely on the A-League for our back four, apart from Franjic, Spiranovic and maybe Zullo. Then you've got yourself a decent squad.
Bondy
Guest
Angus I dont know about left back its a concern Davidson/Zullo, anything else not much options ?. M McKay has never impressed me as an offensive assertive player an indecisive assist player for mine. Could we possibly Nationalise T Broich ? Why Not. I'd be probably be starting Rogic , Troisi would get a spot on the bench if not start he's better than Jesus "J Kennedy" , although old The Ogg Monster chipped in nicely last night ?. Spiranovic appears shy or tame is he cut out for top flight football ?. Not a bad squad though.
Bondy
Guest
Eugene's fired his bullets, I dont think he'll be going . Apart from Bresc and Milligan its largely a former Mariners and current Roar squads largely ?.