It’s becoming an all too familiar trend – player X puts in a decent weekend shift and come Monday, he’s had his name thrown into the ever-growing pool of token national team bolters.
A well-taken brace or a one-off plaudit-receiving performance shouldn’t be a high-ranking prerequisite for a Socceroos call-up.
But at a time where our national team set-up is largely unsettled and evolving, there seems to be a growing need to christen as a possible Socceroo anyone who shows a glimpse of something that’s outside the ordinary.
The A-League season may only be four rounds old, but the #bolter hashtag has somehow managed to sprout its ugly head more times than has been warranted.
We’re certainly in a transition period in the national team, which has been and will continue to be characterised by experimentation and chance giving.
Though we need to be mindful that with every name we casually drop into selection talk, we cheapen what it means to be called up to the Socceroos.
This past week, Nathan Burns was touted in some circles for a place in the upcoming Asian Cup squad.
Burns is no mug – he’s represented Australia at all junior levels and has seven senior appearances to his name.
And while he’s lately shown remnants of his promising youthful self, it would be unfair, to both Burns and his peers, to slate him for national team contention at this stage.
Bruce Djite too has enjoyed an admirable start to the season. The Adelaide target man has more than ruffled a few defensive feathers and has a couple of decent strikes to show for it.
But no sooner had the ball hit the net for his equaliser against Melbourne City last Friday, were there calls for Big Bruce to be included in Postecoglou’s next squad.
There are others of course. Corey Gameiro, Luke Brattan, Connor Pain and Mitch Duke. And I won’t even mention the article that advocated for David Williams.
These types of names may well be jostling for a Socceroos spot somewhere down the track. Yet let us remind ourselves that international selection demands a sort of unquestionable quality.
Playing for the Socceroos is a privilege. National team caps are earned – they’re not handed out on whims or half-thoughts. Our conversations regarding selection should reflect this.
That’s not to say that some of these players being mentioned aren’t worthy of playing for the Socceroos. It’s just that there’s a particular hastiness in bringing out the wax stamp before it needs to be.
Terry Antonis is someone beginning to show the type of maturity and intelligence that we know he’s capable of.
He’s a fine player who at 20 years of age can count himself as one of the most technically gifted players in the league.
Antonis’ fine form is certainly one of the contributing factors to Sydney FC sitting where they are. But to say, after just four games, that the Asian Cup “beckons” for Antonis (as one article put it) is positively premature.
It’s definitely not an outrageous claim, but it’s the sort of declaration that we need to be using sparingly.
I’ll admit to being guilty of this at times – in August I championed Tomi Juric as the Socceroos’ long-term number nine – though that’s an affirmation I’ll stand by.
Postecoglou’s bar should be set high – high expectations will inevitably yield high standards.
And with this, we need to begin to recognise and acknowledge flashes of form for what they are – flashes.
So in the meantime, let’s sit back, allow things to marinate and give the players themselves the chance to offer up their own names as Socceroos candidates.
Beny Iniesta
Guest
Why would Ange even consider the likes of Tim Cahill, Mile Jedinak and Mark Bresciano for selection at the Asian Cup? These guys need to be moved on so we can build for the 2018 World Cup. We need to be giving more young players a run in the Asian Cup to give them valuable experience for the 2018 campaign.
micko brissy
Guest
I love poppa for what he's achieved, but the big fella (tomi) needs some guidance on the right runs and decision making, from a guy like Gombau.
Leonardo
Roar Guru
The Socceroos are at their lowest ebb since FIFA Rankings started, so there are gaps in all positions across the park and Ange needs to fill them. So of course fans then suggest a player they think can do the job. Maybe they can, maybe they can't. Ange needs to sort that one out. I really don't envy Postecoglou and his job right now and since the artificial high of Brazil 2014, I am losing confidence every week in how we are going to go in the Asian Cup. Please prove us wrong! :)
AGO74
Guest
The Parma move falling through is the best thing that could have happened to him. That club have a habit if buying dozens of players on cheap and instantly loaning them out to 2nd and 3rd division teams in the hope that they strike it lucky with 2 or 3 players who they'll cultivate further at Parma before on selling for big $$$. The majority of Parma purchases end up on the scrap heap. Have a look at the size of their out on loan squad - http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parma_F.C.
Bondy
Guest
Fuss Is Ange after a certain number for a squad age average do you know ...
Realfootball
Guest
Amini is a textbook case of the dangers of going overseas too young. I suppose this is easy to say now, because the current A League is a very different proposition to the competition that Amini left, but really young players are much better served staying and really establishing themselves as stars here, playing week in, week out - and going overseas when their characters are more fully developed. Seriously, Mid, you can't expect Amini to get picked playing third tier in Germany. He may have been on the bench for the first team, but has he played even a single minute in competition?
oly09
Guest
First of all McKay and Nichols aren't defenders so can't compare to McGowan and secondly did you see the World Cup? McGowan was out of his depth (despite that hopeful ball forward to Cahill).
Realfootball
Guest
Ooh - that is unkind.
oly09
Guest
I never rated Bozanic either but I thought he was really impressive when he played at the World Cup and I'd like to see him get an extended run for the Socceroos.
Kaks
Roar Guru
No im not saying that there should be a selection process, i believe the coach (Ange for the time being) should select the team. However there seems to be no real purpose about any of his selections other than giving 'youth' a couple of minutes in an Australian jersey and thats about it. He also seems to completely snub players in good form for other players who have tried and failed. And yes we did better than expected in the world cup to compete against top nations, however if you look back on it now after all the fan fair has died down you will realize we did not do as well as we think we did. Then you add to that the recenet friendly results and all is not rosie.
Towser
Guest
Very Good Fadida. Maybe Dr Moreau could produce a champion team from Tevez clones.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Yes I don't think Risdon will be considered at this stage but hopefully one day, I thought before he did his knee he was a standout full back in the A-league and he is quickly becoming top of the pile again in that position.
Fadida
Guest
Agree Aljay. Taggart has massive potential.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Middy Amini has been called up for the u22 AUS National Team to play a 3 match tournament in China against: Brasil, China & Korea. Let's hope he shines! Tournament starts next week. Full details: http://under23s.footballaustralia.com.au/article/vidmar-names-olyroo-squad-for-upcoming-internationals/oq6di4t7szb19e4b18kcywrs
danno
Guest
No way Djite is more of a 'wide attacker'. He's a number 9.
Midfielder
Guest
AP certainly does things his own way, most managers in a pre tournament game would have their final squad in so they get use to systems and playing together... I can only guess with all the new players tried that Amini has done something or Oken reported it in such a way that he will never be called up ... He sat on the bench as the DM sub against Liverpool in the Champions League, and is one of the first picked in the number two side that play in Bl's 3.... At times you need faith and hope that on the night it all goes OK... the nexus behind what is being done is to have a deep squad so if players are injured or clubs won't release them we have back up players .... As I opened AP is doing it his way and the media has been hugely helpful ... does make you wonder aloud if you would buy a ticket and is not Japan suppose to be our greatest rival .... more questions than answers ... least hope he gets it right..
Aljay
Guest
Beat me to it....
Aljay
Guest
The criticism of Taggart reminds me incredibly of the criticism that was directed at Robbie Kruse. Both were the best striker/attacke that Australia had for their age at age 17 and again at age 20. Taggart, like Kruse, will also be the best attacker for his age when he is 23/24. He will likely be moved to 2nd striker or out wide ovre in Europe and will play many games for the Roos. For all those Taggart knockers, I challenge you to come up with another Australian who has scored as many 1st team goals in a season at age 20/21 as he did. I struggle to think of more than one.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@Terry Looking forward to your lacing up your boots & impressing us with your control. Good to have your daily input on football.. when the haters are talking about The Game, it really is "Game over" for other sports.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
To be fair, Terry's agenda hasn't been to denigrate Wanderers, it has been to move Mariners. Most of his posts relate to why the Mariners should move to North Sydney/Wollongong/Canberra/Timbuktu and why their current position in Gosford will cement their ultimate doom. I rather suspect Terry is a Central Coast Bear's man, and that he believes that the Mariners constitute a key obstacle in the involvement of the Central Coast in any future NRL expansion plans. I could be wrong.