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.
Dave Johnson
Guest
Softcore prawn, Fletch I am willing to bet my house, Neill is in brazil ! Surely you can't expect ap to take defenders that have ten caps between them to a WC ? Lacking pace but oozes experience. Neill has my support
mahonjt
Guest
No he isn't.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Unfortunately it's gotten to a point where people have a bias against Neill. Just look at MelbourneTerrace beneath this comment. I wouldn't call myself a fan of Neill, I'm a fan of the Socceroos, and Neill has captained the Socceroos with disticntion for several years. Sure. he is a shadow of his past great self, but that shadow is still better then half the defenders we have on offer. As I said twice in my article, if there are better players, then he doesn't go, it's as simple as that. If five central defenders better then Neill step up before the WC, then I'm more than happy for Neill to be replaced. But with a new club now, which I believe he will get adequate game time at, Neill definately has a chance to go to Brazil. And he certainly would not be the worst option. Plenty of Topor-Stanley and Ognenovski fans out there; but Ange has better judgement then that.
Fletch
Guest
Neill opologists need medication, glasses and a whack over the head with a blunt object. Neill is well past it. Move into the future. Get out of the past.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
It's worth bearing in mind that Neill was training at another Championship club recently - Blackburn Rovers - and was only good enough to warrant a solitary appearance as an overage player in a under-21s reserve game. Watford have signed him as defensive cover, and only until the end of the season. He'll be lucky to get more than a handful of games under his belt during that time, and it's likely that most of these will come as a sub. Still, if he does get a game for Watford at least he'll be wearing similar colours to the Socceroos, and if he's picked for their upcoming fixture against Barnsley he can at least claim, that while he's not likely to go to Brazil, at least he'd have played a team that's "just like watching Brazil"* *Obscure Barnsley chant, I'm not sure if it is actually still in use at Oakwell.
melbourneterrace
Guest
Neil has been poor at club level since he left Galatasary. He was an absolute laughing stock playing at Omiya, a team that was desperate for a quality defender and has played only a handful of games in the last 18 months. Neil becomes exposed easily if his cb partner steps out to make a challenge and is not fast enough to cover the back in that scenario, which happens often against teams like Spain and Chile who have forwards that just love to tease CB's out of positions. It would be a disgrace to select him for the national team after a handful of substitute appearances in a league that is totally different to the style of football Australia are facing.
Roarfan
Guest
James ,I take it that you are a fan of Lucas Neill. I don't think the fans who are against him going to Brazil have anything against him or how old he his, it is his present form which is now only a shadow of his past. You don't have to be a coach or an ex player to see this. The fact he has found another club should not get him on the plane. We want the strongest side we can muster, remember a chain is only as strong as its weakest link and a football team is the same. I would not like to see the kids blamed again if we do not perform well.. Good luck boys
Johan
Guest
Neil has been a solid servant to Australian football but to take him and play him in Brazil when he is now so slow would be a disaster and in all probably lead to three heavy defeats. The socceroos need to gain respect in the World Cup particularly as this is the one occasion that the whole of Australia follows them. Three embarrassing thrashing will be enormously damaging for football in this country.
peter
Guest
This saga has already cost football in OZ ,and if lucas neill continues to get selected for the NT there will be more leaving our code , it has gone past a joke now and people who have played and supported the game for years are being told by some that lucas neill still should represent the socceroos , you could not make this up its just unbelievable
Nachos supreme
Guest
You're saying that the championship is a higher level than the Eredivise?
ciudadmarron
Guest
Shane Lowry plays at championships level week in week out. Lucas hasn't played a game yet (and has been signed as cover).
Matthew Skellett
Roar Rookie
He's not the best any more the fact that almost no one will touch him is proof enough of that -see sense Lucas-time's up !!!!