Newcastle Jets striker Adam Taggart’s blistering form has him well-placed for a World Cup spot, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says.
The 20-year-old has had a sensational season, topping the A-League’s scorers’ list, netting his 11th goal of the campaign in the Jets’ 1-0 win over Melbourne Heart on Saturday.
Jets coach Clayton Zane said after the game Postecoglou should be paying attention.
The Socceroos mentor says he has been and if Taggart keeps it up he’ll be on the plane to Brazil.
“I said that weeks ago, Clayton’s jumping on my bandwagon,” he said.
“Adam is scoring goals and he’s gaining a little bit of consistency now, which is important.
“If he finishes the season strongly, then yes, of course he’s in contention.”
Postecoglou said he’s also been closely watching Taggart’s teammate Josh Brillante among several others in the A-League like Melbourne Victory’s James Troisi and Adelaide’s Osama Malik.
He said while the likes of Brisbane’s Ivan Franjic and Matt McKay, Victory’s Tom Rogic and Western Sydney’s Matthew Spiranovic all got the nod for last week’s Ecuador game in London, several A-League players were very close to selection.
“Josh is another one who I rate very highly at Newcastle,” he said.
“James Troisi has shown at times throughout the year his form has been good. Osama Malik at Adelaide is another.
“Their form since has been pretty good and they all fit the type of players we want to build a team around.
“They’re the right sort of age group and the right sort of experience.
“So it’s up to them to try and step up.”
Socceroos veterans Sasa Ognenovski and David Carney have made comebacks to the A-League in the hope of pushing for a World Cup spot.
Both were overlooked Postecoglou’s two squads to date with the coach admitting they don’t fit the mould.
“There’s certainly an underlying principle in mind that we need to rebuild and when you have that there’s going to be a limited number of spots for guys who are at the tail end of their careers, that’s a simple fact,” he said.
“Sasa falls into that category of player.
“But I’m not going to discourage anyone or rule anyone out. I want everyone fighting for it.
“Even someone like David you don’t rule out because we don’t have a great deal of left-sided players.”
Realfootball
Guest
Yes, great news for Eli. Such a talent, Bit late for the WC, however. But maybe for the Asian Cup? He had Taggart would be a formidable combo up front.
cliffclavin
Guest
Beat me to it Bill. Good Call. Richie does lead the line well for Sky, but is more of an assists-man than an out and out scorer. He likes to set up others, but could step up as the main main for either Sky or the Socceroos. We could have another club V country thing on our hands!!!
Stevo
Guest
Jedi and Kiznorbo are good average players who are well suited to hussle and bussle contests but would look like ducks out of water in a technical league like La Liga or Serie A for example. When Paddy K comes on for us my heart is in my mouth, nervously waiting for the moment when he'll dive feet first into a contest and give a penalty or free kick on the edge of the box.
my left foot
Guest
Agree with the overall comments made above. In other news, Babalj played his first 45 mins coming back from injury.
Evan Askew
Guest
Nacional, 3 time world club champions, 3 time copa libertadores winners and 44 Uruguyan League titles. This is the club that Richard Porta plays for. The only reason i can think of that he hasn't being tried is that he can't speak English. Taggart if he keeps scoring should go. I don't know the situation currently on whethe Porta is playing at the moment. If he is playing and scoring goals for Nacional, then he should be looked at.
Bondy
Guest
Fadida Good observation with Kisnorbo, yes I agree I watched him on the odd occasion at Leeds and now with the Heart. You should also see that the epl and championship are glorified ?., Why, Because would you pay big money for P Kisnorbo, R Garcia, D Carney to join your club ?. The answer would probably be no, but epl clubs did . And those players mentioned aren't sold in Australia as marquees to the general public either.
Legro
Guest
What did I tell you. Yep, he deserves to be to in contention for the world cup - And I believe he should be given the nod. I had my eye on this guy since the under 20's world cup, he's got just about everything required as a striker - except maybe he's not a real aerial threat. He's got pace, great control, technique, hunger - all the stuff you'd want from a young striker. Just needs to work on his finishing and composure, the world cup could be the place - where his name might explode into the scene and hopefully gets picked up by a decent European team, needs to make sure that they offer a first team place and not warming the bench. That will be my advice to him.
fadida
Guest
Whenever Jedinak plays for the NT I'm struck by how little his game has improved, despite his EPL and champo experience. There is definitely an eiement of cultural cringe which has us automatically elevating players the second they move overseas. For years there was a cry for Kisnorbo to be first choice due to exploits at Leeds. I watched him regularly and can honestly see he was pretty average; physical, loved a tackle, but little skill. Nothing has changed! On the other hand there are the likes of Kruse and Culina who improved exponentially since transferriing. I suspect it comes down to where players are playing ie playing in Britain does nothing for your development.
fadida
Guest
It's his sharpness that impresses, as well as his short and long range finishing. He is lightening over the first few yards. Watching him tear around the Og desire despite starting yards behind was the final nail in the Og's WC coffin for me. Like watching a kid playing in an over 50's match
Bondy
Guest
Iangou I'm almost convinced that most Australians playing abroad aren't better that the ones who remain in the HAL, players like R Garcia have played premier league football and he's now at Sydney FC and not even consider for the National Team and rightly so. Its the first time in our history where Ange has almost directly gone back to the HAL "Verbeek and Osieck never did" for national team players such as Ivan Franic "good move" get a good run and are capable at International level. Players abroad can be a false market I believe.
langou
Roar Guru
Lets face it, if the selection panel was made up of regular commentators on The Roar, our squad would be 60% A-League players.
Brick Tamland of the Pants Party
Guest
Yes that's what I like about him he does most of the work himself.He's quick,strong and can score from anywhere,that was probably his only tap in this season at the weekend.Its funny he doesn't seem to create much hype but has any player his age banged in as many goals as he will potentially this season in the A-League?,Rojas is the only one that comes to mind....Also well done Perth Glory for letting him walk away from the club,another big tick in the how to run a football club box.
eric1
Guest
Porta?Why stop there?,Let's get Kerem Bulut ,Ersan Gulum and Nicky Carle back in the squad too. :)
Catnap
Guest
I think that's the best comment so far every good striker needs to be fed !!!!
fadida
Guest
Very good point. I've seen all of the Jets home games and I'd say that he scores with 1/3 of his chances. The goal v Heart was one of the few that didn't require him to both create and score... He'd have 20 goals had he been at either Roar or MV
Bondy
Guest
I'm surprised at the amount of goals Taggart gets with the level of service he receives .
Griffo
Roar Guru
Chile were great at the last World Cup, as well as being orchestrated by Bielsa. I don't doubt they will be any different this time around either. As long as we can hold our shape, play quickly and take our chances when they arrive, we can do anything in Brazil...
fadida
Guest
Agree Volley. Ange will be looking to win the ball back quickly, and as high as possible. Pace is therefore crucial (sorry Jesus). We'll also need to play on the counter, so again pace
TheVolley
Guest
Extremely fast, has a good shot and in form. Fits Ange's bill very well. I am noticing Ange is opting for pace up front which I believe is necessary for this campaign. Chile made headlines in their 2010 WC performances and we saw the same type of approach - high energy, fast, and mobile.
fadida
Guest
Agree about Taggart. He's potentially heading for the big time. He missed a couple of decent chances on Saturday but he also created them from nothing, using skill and speed. His finishing is generally very good If Ruka and Halloran can gets German second div gig then Taggart will surely get a move this season. He's superior to those two. Reminds me of Michael Owen with his acceleration (not near the same quality of course)