It is not long now until the Socceroos run out against some of the best teams in the world. Teams that boast the attacking talents of Robin Van Persie, Alexis Sanchez and Pedro Rodriguez.
If the display against South Africa is anything to go by, then the Socceroos’ defence is far from prepared.
The partnership against the Bafana Bafana of Alex Wilkinson and Ryan McGowan had a combined total of 11 caps, and while they could have done worse, they also could have held up a lot better.
They looked shaky and despondent, and it was lucky that they were playing a side with strikers from Bournemouth and Ajax and not Barcelona or Chelsea.
It was the first time that these two have played together so perhaps we shouldn’t be too critical of them.
But maybe we should criticise Ange Postecoglou for cutting adrift former captain Lucas Neill and 2010 Asian footballer of the year Saša Ognenovski, two players that have been there, done that and know what is required of them.
Postecoglou was dealt a cruel blow when Middlesbrough captain Rhys Williams was ruled out of the World Cup back in January with an achilles injury. Postecoglou then made the decisions that an “unlucky” Lucas Neill would not make the World Cup due to lack of game time, all the while leaving Sydney FC defender and 2011 Asian Cup sensation Sasa Ognenovski in the dark over his chances of making the squad.
The issues at the back reached a new low on Monday when it was confirmed that Curtis Good would not be fit for the World Cup due to an injury he picked up playing for the Socceroos against Ecuador back in March.
Good, who had spent 2014 on loan to Scottish club Dundee United, was apparently the favourite to partner Matthew Spiranovic at the back in Brazil, even though he has only one cap for the Socceroos and only 40 professional matches in his still infant footballing career.
The Socceroos are going to Brazil with four centre backs, all of which have not shown anything at a level that would make anyone confident that they could go toe-to-toe with Arjen Robben or Fernando Torres. McGowan, Wilkinson, Bailey Wright and Matthew Spiranovic – 28 caps in total, with a combined number of professional matches of 565, 40 less than Lucas Neill.
Ange has judged these players on their age. Neill is 36 and Ognenovski is 35, both are close to the end of their careers but they still have the footballing brain to be there for the Socceroos in Brazil.
Ange cited a lack of matches as the reason Lucas Neill wouldn’t be considered for selection, even though he managed five games in 2014, only two less than Marco Bresciano has played since the turn of the year. But no one would want to see the bald maestro miss a spot in Brazil.
Saša Ognenovski did exactly what Postecoglou wanted from his players in getting game time. He got a contract with Sydney FC, in which he has been a permanent fixture playing 10 games for the Sky Blue and steadying their defence to make the final series, but he has gone on record to say that Ange has not been in contact with him.
Lucas Neill has 96 caps and Sasa Ognenovski has 22, and combined they have as many caps as the seven defenders in the Socceroos 27-man squad going to Brazil.
Much has been said about how Postecoglou is the manager to undergo the “transition” that Australia have seemingly been going through for the past five or six years, but the World Cup isn’t the place to experiment and test new players. Spain won’t be doing that, Brazil won’t be doing that, Argentina won’t be doing that and they are a few of the favourites for the trophy, so why are we following a model that has no proven track record?
You need to pick the best 23 players and if the Socceroos were to do that, Lucas and Saša would be in the squad. Ange’s snub is not because they are bad footballers, instead he is leaving them out for their advancing years, and it is a real shame.
What if Ryan Giggs was an Aussie? He has played a dozen games since the start of the year but he is 40 years old. So does that mean Ange wouldn’t pick him even though he would undoubtedly be our best midfielder?
Deep Thinker
Guest
Neither of them should have even played for the Socceroos in the past year. Slow defenders like Neil and Og are likely get taken to pieces against the world's best strikers. I don't think Neil's reaction to Postecoglou's appointment helped, which was, lets just say, less than enthusiastic.
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Southampton were very keen also and you can bet if he's playing well this season Premier League clubs will come calling again next January.The only reason he's still at Boro is because Boro has rejected offers for him,do your research hen.
Fadida
Guest
You are the saddest, most ignorant and negative poster on this tab Peter. News flash mate, it's no longer 2010 and the world must move on.
Fadida
Guest
Showing your ignorance in your desperation to be negative. Swansea were one of a number of midtable EPL clubs chasing him. I'm not saying that makes him a star, just that it makes you ignorant :)
peterhen
Guest
Friendly Schmiendly - those Spanish players were going through the motions - contractually obliged, etc. Who cares about frigging friendlies?
peterhen
Guest
Let's see how long Ange's gung-ho style lasts when we get absolutely flogged and can't beat Asian teams. Let's just see shall we?
peterhen
Guest
Looking to move? Who was going to buy him? Nobody. That's who. He is a decent Championship player. Nothing more.
peterhen
Guest
Playing for the Wanderers doesn't exactly compare with top European football. Let's see. I liked what I saw from Spiranovic too but he could be out of his depth with the best players in the world attacking him. He has hardly had a remarkable overseas career. Why do you think no top coach has come in for him if he is that good?
peterhen
Guest
Look at our last competitive games - they are the ONLY ones that really count - and Neill was faultless - in Japan, in Melbourne against Jordan and in Sydney against Iraq. Sure, he is getting on in age but he has a lot of experience and can do a job. Ange is taking a massive risk not taking him or Og.
peterhen
Guest
what the hell do you mean 'this World Cup is not about results'. You are giving it as much respect at the East Asian Cup. The future has been going on since the end of the last World Cup. Are you saying the players in South Africa were too old too? They got 1 win, 1 draw and 1 defeat - same as 2006. Only 3/4 players are in the current squad. God.....what is wrong with you people???
leon
Guest
If Neill had been playing regularly at Barcelona, he still wouldn't be worthy of a spot in the squad.
Fadida
Guest
Spot on assessment of the Og
hardsy
Roar Pro
Og should've gone, no question. We need some type of experience at the back and although Spiranovic was missing from Monday's game I think he is better suited to play alongside Jedinak in a dual defensive midfield role. There are too many variables in Ange's thought selction process too. You can't say squad members weren't playing enough minutes or at a certain level when Bailey Wright (League One) and Tom Rogic (Clearly injured) make the 27 players on the plane to Brazil.
Roger
Guest
Wow. Fuss, I actually agree with everything you just said
magila cutty
Guest
Can't believe there are still people who think neill should be in the team. Can only guess they've been asleep for two years.
Squizz
Guest
'Ognenovski probably should’ve been the man' except when you look at who was at fault for a lot of the goals conceded toward the end of the season. Og saved Sydney a lot with his reading of the game - but his pace is gone. In spite of his size his speed in the first 3 to 4 metres used to be close to the best in the Socceroos so that if he made a mistake (which he did at Sydney) he would recover. He can no longer do that, 'playing McGowan and Spiranovic in the centre of defence against the world class players you’ve mentioned isn’t such a bad idea' No - it's a shocking idea. McGowan shouldn't be anywhere near the squad or even a HAL squad.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Spot on. Ange has been brought in to rejuvinate the squad, and his done this in quite an extreme manner. This is what we were all calling for 9 months ago, so the criticism is just dumb. At least the "young one" will have plenty more time to get better at being flogged
Andy
Guest
To be fair he was looking like moving to the EPL. He is a very good player, and certainly one of our best. Getting hung up on what league he plays in is ridiculous.
langou
Roar Guru
Yeah I agree Griffo
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Understand what you're saying Dylan, and I agree somewhat, but not with Lucas Neill. I think 1 experienced central defender should be going to Brazil seeing as though we've lost Sainsbury, Good and Williams; three players that would probably start. But Lucas Neill hasn't played enough football. Ognenovski probably should've been the man, esp. now that we've lost Good. But having said that, playing McGowan and Spiranovic in the centre of defence against the world class players you've mentioned isn't such a bad idea. Throw them in the deep end and see if they can stay afloat. It's a great way to breed new players.