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When Holger Osieck was at the helm of the Socceroos, there were three certainties in life: Death, taxes and players being picked on reputation rather than form.
Finally, we have a leader with a bit more sense who offers no such guarantee.
And when Ange Postecoglou names his squad on Wednesday for the upcoming friendly against Ecuador, the big news story will be Lucas Neill – whether he is included or not.
While it’s hard for a coach not to consider his captain in one of the last remaining chances for international exposure before the World Cup, it will be more of a shock if the veteran is included.
His career over the last two years tells the story.
Since a relatively successful season with Al Jazira in the UAE during 2011-12, playing opportunities have been few and far between.
He was benched more often than not while at Al Wasl last year and cameos for Sydney FC and Japan’s Omiya Ardija did little to buck the trend.
We’re almost 100 days out from the biggest event on the football calendar and the man currently in line to lead us there is clubless; has been for a while now. Heck, he’s even being linked with lower league clubs!
Although the rumours of Neill moving to NSW NPL side Sydney Olympic on Monday may have words of hyperbole from the former NSL side, it’s a sign of how desperate the 35-year-old is becoming.
If your national team captain is at a crossroads where he considers moving to a state competition just to stay relevant, he simply isn’t good enough.
It’s as much an indictment on Neill as it is on Osieck. Neill should have cemented a regular first team spot early in 2013; Osieck should have dropped him and passed on the captaincy when he failed to do so.
Instead, the Socceroos will head to the World Cup with either an over-the-hill, underplayed centre back or a centre half pairing with minimal experience playing together.
It means Ange has no choice but to omit Neill from Wednesday’s announcement.
Unfortunately, the serious injury to Rhys Williams means Neill is in with a bit more of a shout, but Postecoglou has a good chance to select his ideal defensive combo for the World Cup and test the legs against Ecuador.
Sasa Ognenovski and Matthew Spiranovic have both impressed for their respective clubs this season, while little-known Tomislav Mrcela was reportedly contacted by the gaffer last week. Alex Wilkinson, Ryan McGowan et. Al. also provide decent options.
Neill isn’t Tim Cahill, we can live without him.
The best case scenario for Neill is he heads to Brazil with eight weeks of consistent football under his belt. Had the training run with Blackburn eventuated into something more, things may be different.
The alternative dilemma Postecoglou has is that of playing Neill against Ecuador to at least give him some minutes until (if, more than when) he finds a club.
But experience counts for bugger all when Alvaro Negredo or Robin van Persie are running at a set of tired legs.
Thankfully, there are question marks over Postecoglou’s defensive selection. Surely he knows that no amount of morale boosting can make Neill a valuable part of the Socceroos squad come June.
Lucas Neill signed for English Championship club Watford after this column was published.
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