Lucas Neill’s signing with Championship club Watford is an optimistic turn of events for the Socceroos skipper, and one which should be received by the football community as a positive event in World Cup preparations.
In recent months, a large amount of hostility has been shown to the Australian centre-back. Whether this hostility is appropriate has taken on its own debate, but essentially the arguments come down to age, regeneration and experience.
On the left side we find a small but dedicated band of pro-Neill supporters who state that as long as a player is the best in his position, all other factors should not matter.
When Postecoglou came into the top job he assessed several options for the friendly against Costa Rica, and Neill played the full 90 minutes. This gamble by the newly appointed Australian coach paid off, with Australia winning 1-0.
On the right side, however, the majority of supporters wave their banners and scream for rejuvenation.
A player that isn’t playing should not wear the armband for his national team, no matter how well he plays. In this argument, experience and respect for a national great matter little when Australia is under-performing.
And they had a point. In the wake of two 6-0 thumpings, something had to be done.
But something was done. Postecoglou is now in charge, has assessed every position and will continue to assess every position until the World Cup.
If Lucas Neill was chosen against Costa Rica, to captain and play 90 minutes, then quality shouldn’t be questioned – unless of course you do not trust Ange to make the right decision.
But we witnessed it too. He was convincing, albeit against a lacklustre Costa Rican outfit, but convincing nonetheless.
Now Lucas Neill has signed with Watford, and, assuming he gets game time, will head into World Cup selection season as our highest profile defender eligible for selection. No other defender plays at a level equal to the Championship.
And still the cries for rejuvenation come thick and fast.
I can understand that without a club, Neill could not have been chosen for the World Cup. Infrequent game time would surely mean that others are better in his position – or at least, one would hope so.
But he now has a club. He will most likely get game time and match fitness to be eligible, just like every other Socceroos defender, for selection.
If he is the best in his position, he will be chosen. And the football community should back whatever choice is made, because we trust that Ange knows best.
So far, he has proven he does.
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