After news broke yesterday that Lucas Neill is on loan to English Championship relegation-contenders Doncaster Rovers after just one month at Watford Hornets, can the Socceroo legend still make the World Cup squad?
With a grand total of 97 minutes in all competitions in 2014 – 90 of which were for Blackburn Rovers Under-21 squad in early February – Neill’s loan move to Doncaster is very much a last-ditch effort to put the 36-year-old central defender on Socceroo coach Ange Postecoglou’s radar.
While a six week training stint with former team Blackburn Rovers early this year has kept Neill’s fitness at a suitable level, the Championship club were unable to offer Neill a position on their roster.
His fitness and obvious leadership qualities were seemingly enough for fellow Championship adversaries Watford to sign Neill as defensive injury cover until the end of the season.
However, with Hornet defenders Tommie Hoban, Essaid Belkalem and Joel Ekstrand returning from injury, it appears Neill has seen too much risk to his ambition of reach a third-straight World Cup by remaining at Watford.
With his last-minute loan move to Doncaster expiring on April 22, it gives Neill just six games and 540 minutes to give Postecoglou some thought to pencilling his name into the preliminary, 30-man roster for the May 26 World Cup farewell friendly against South Africa in Sydney.
Neill’s first game for his new team will be away against Leeds United on March 29.
Neill will be up against a four-game backline combination of left-back James Husband (age 20), centre backs Abdoulaye Méïté (33), Paul Quinn (28), and right-back James Coppinger (28), although their last game was a 0-2 away loss to FC Burnley.
Of those pair of centre backs, Quinn may be the obvious choice for Neill to replace. As a recognised right-back, Quinn is out of position in a team with eight available centre backs (including Neill) for Doncaster manager Paul Dickov to choose from.
What Quinn has over Neill is 790 minutes over ten games in all competitions in 2014 alone. Abdoulaye Méïté has played all 1215 minutes of regulation time in 2014 at the centre of defence and is the obvious first choice.
While Neill may have another season left in his legs, time and games are running out for the 96-cap Socceroo to prove his ability to handle Postecoglou’s plans for regenerating and transitioning the national team in time for the World Cup.
Postecoglou has left little room for confusion to all Socceroo hopefuls surrounding his desire for his chosen squad to play regularly, play well, and at a high-enough level of training and fitness to adequately realise his philosophy on the pitch.
Watching the Leeds game from the bench could well mean Neill watching his last chance for earning a plane ticket to Brazil pass him by.
Should Neill play all six remaining games of his loan spell at Doncaster, he could still find he has left it too late in terms of earning a place through shear weight of game time banked in his ageing legs.
Neill’s last game in England, the day before his loan period expires, is set to be against his first English side, Millwall, at The Den.
It would be a fitting way for the fiftieth Socceroos captain to bow out of the game should he not make the World Cup or field any club offers next season.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Breaking news from FFA is that Ange Postecoglou has told Lucas Neill that he has not made the 30-man preliminary Socceroos squad set to be announced next week. “In the end I just had to make a decision not so much about the recent history but the last six months in terms of form and fitness,” he said of Neill, who made his international debut as an 18-year-old. “There just wasn’t enough evidence there for me to say he’d be able to hold up in a World Cup. “It was both a combination of the lack of regular football and the little niggles he got that made the decision for me." Postecoglou felt it was important to inform Neill personally of the decision prior to the World Cup squad being announced given what he's achieved at international and club level. Postecoglou has indicated that the decision is in relation to the World Cup in Brazil and that Lucas Neill has every intention of playing in Europe next season. http://m.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/neill-omitted-from-socceroo-world-cup-squad/90345
Griffo
Roar Guru
Neill was rested in Doncaster's 1-2 loss away to Ipswitch Town this morning due to hamstring strain picked up in the previous Bolton match. Its seen as a precaution for Neill to regain full fitness by Paul Dickov ahead of the remaining games as Doncaster now at great risk of dropping into the relegation zone. Neill's next chance to help Doncaster pick up points will be at home Saturday morning AEST as they face promotion chasing Derby.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Apparently Neill was subbed due to concern over his hamstring: “Lucas Neill felt his hamstring cramp up so we’ll assess him as well, but the good news is that Tamas came back on tonight and that is a big plus for us." - Paul Dickov Read more at http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/article/paul-dickov-we-feel-aggrieved-1479065.aspx#lsuuHsiWbeocwKkQ.99
Griffo
Roar Guru
For those still subscribing: Neill made the starting lineup at right back at home versus Bolton Wanderers this morning. Neill was substituted in the 65th minute due to a knock. Doncaster Rovers 1 : 2 Bolton Wanderers Next match is the weekend away to Ipswich Town - Doncaster are now four points from the relegation zone. Neill's loan has been updated to end on the 26th April after penultimate game of the Championship against Reading.
Griffo
Guest
For those still subscribing: Neill has put in a second full shift with Doncaster Rovers at home to Birmingham City this morning. Neill was shifted to center back from right back after Abdoulaye Meite suffered a calf strain in pre-game warm up. Neill had a header on goal in the 50th which was well saved by the Birmingham keeper, but Birmingham came from behind to record a 1-3 win away to be equal on points with Doncaster and seven points from relegation. http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26796164
Bear Down Under
Roar Rookie
Always room for an experienced player at a World Cup. Obviously not a starter but experience is crucial and can be handy for crucial times in matches. Sure we have a hard group and if Ange writes off our chances he should only stick to players who will play some part in our future, but if he has any ambition of getting results at this World Cup, he can do worse than picking a leader who has been to 2 tournaments before.
mikael
Guest
Agree we need one older head in brazil and i dont think there is anyone more deserving than the OG at this stage. He is steady and does the job as well as being a great leader as evidenced this season with sydney. Personally think with someone with abit of speed next to him would make OG look even better.
asanchez
Roar Guru
The thing is that none of the clubs where Lucas has gone to this year really care about his WC aspirations. And nor they shouldnt. He cant just expect to walk in to a club and walk straight into the starting XI. That takes time and he needs to earn it, wherever he is playing! IMO Ange was never gonna pick him anyway. I think that's pretty clear. He is conducting a proper clean out of the squad, one way or another. Its obvious Ange & Harry Kewell also had a chat before he announced his retirement, once he realised that he had absolutely no chance of making it to Brazil. I still reckon we need at least one more experienced CB in the 23, and he should probably take the OG monster. The defense I'd take would be Franjic, Davidson, McGowan, Sainsbury, Ognanovski, Wilkinson and Devere.
bill boomer
Guest
Now if i could just get this tongue out of my cheek
fadida
Guest
How is Schwarzer "world class" and Kewell a "lemon"? Kewell at his peak was wanted by some of Europe's biggest sides. Schwarzer has longevity, but was 2 brackets below Kewell's class
Griffo
Roar Guru
Socceroos 30-man squad pretty much fly out after South Africa game: Socceroos 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil timeline: 16 May – Assemble for pre World Cup camp in Gosford 22 May – Move from Gosford to Sydney 26 May – Socceroos v South Africa Farewell match 28 May – Depart Australia for Vitoria, Brazil via Santiago 29 May – Commence training in Vitoria 2 June - 23 man squad announced 6 June – Socceroos v Croatia 13 June – 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage match v Chile in Cuiaba 18 June – 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage match v Netherlands in Porto Alegre 23 June – 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage match v Spain in Curitiba
Johan
Guest
Not so - the only socceroo not soccerwho who has world class as his badge is Schwartzer. The young peeps you mention are drongos!!!!!! Total drongos!!!!!!
whiskeymac
Guest
Both are a bit stale but of the two I prefer the Aussie one too. League of nations is more interesting internationally than moyes
fadida
Guest
Schwarzer was not close to "world class", hence he spent most of his career at Boro. He was simply very good, no better. The point is you can't judge the quality of our Australian players looking to make the WC squad against global standards. You can only compare them with other Australians they are competing against. By this standard Rogic is "talented", and the loss if Kruse a "disaster". On a global scale Rogic is a nobody and Kruse' absence irrelevant.
fadida
Guest
Schwarzer was not close to "world class", hence he spent most of his career at Boro. The point is you can't judge the quality of our Australian players looking to make the WC squad against global standards. You can only compare them with other Australians they are c
oly
Guest
Have you been watching football for the past 10 years? Surprised John Filan wasn't included in there!
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Yes usually countries participating to WC put the 7-8 guys missing out on a 'reserves list' and ask them to stay in touch/fit until the start of the tournament. Thing is (well in france at least!) same of these players are so disappointed that they don't want to keep ready 'just in case". that's why I think its very important for Ange to be clear with all players involved from the start although I believe aussie players have probably less of an ego problem than other bigger football nations. Usually only the final 23-man squad travels to the WC so no one will have to fly back home anyway. Ange like everyone else will have to provide his 23 men group by 2nd of June. Dunno where Socceroos pre WC training camp will take place but will imagine not in Brasil? probably in Oz till beginning (8-10) of June I would say?
brian drian
Guest
it's a pity AP is so short on time and matches with the socceroos, otherwise a half against south africa would have been a fitting and positive way to say thanks to Neill.
brian drian
Guest
i find Neill's arrogance grating and he clearly has an oversized opinion of his own abilities compared to reality. I suspect the reason he didn't stick around in the a league was that he thought he could get more coin elsewhere. it is his right, but with the WC in view that is very disappointing. A strong season or so in the a league and AP would have had a clear picture if he could cut it in brazil. That said, I admire his tenacity, he is now trying everything possible to get to the world cup, it's a pity he didnt think about that a while ago. Kewell came to heart for next to nothing and by doing so gave football fans here something to smile about. He had enough piles of cash, so why not? Why didnt Neill do the same? As far as his place in EPL history, he will be remembered as a solid journeyman, (no shame in that) but that is all. as far as the Socceroos, he has generally been a good face for the national team and has served the team manfully. so, well done on an excellent career, but please keep your reputation in mind, it is very much in the balance.
Johan
Guest
Because it is my national team fadida. I am not an Argentinian or Portuguese so I don't care about their team. Actually mark Schwartzer was world class but has sadly retired.