With captain Mile Jedinak ruled out of the Socceroos next AFC Asian Cup clash against Oman, coach Ange Postecoglou has a decision to make as to whoo to replace him with in the starting side, and what role they’ll play.
Mark Bresciano, Mark Milligan, Matt McKay and Terry Antonis are all options for a coach who will likely want to use the same formation as he did against Kuwait, with the one ‘screening’ midfielder at the base of a three man midfield. So let’s run through these four candidates to find out who can best fill Jedinak’s boots.
Mark Bresciano
Mark Bresciano is a veteran of the Australian team and has a wealth of experience at international level. His ability to see a pass is unrivalled in this current Australian team and most observers would agree that to have him initiating play would be a positive.
Whilst he has shown the ability to play a deeper midfield role for the Socceroos previously this is not his most effective position. Breaking up the opposition’s offensive breaks and general defensive duties have never been Bresciano’s forte and question marks remain over his ability to play out a full 90 minutes, having generally been used by Postecoglou for 20-30 minutes shifts in a more advanced, high-impact midfield role.
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan has been a mainstay under Postecoglou in central midfield and appears the most obvious ‘like-for-like’ swap for the injured captain. He is mobile and well suited to the role of breaking up opposition attacks. He plays at the base of midfield for his club Melbourne Victory, however this is as part of a holding pairing with Carl Valeri where he has a licence to get into more attacking positions.
Milligan hasn’t featured for Australia since the friendly against U.A.E in October and hasn’t played a competetive match for a month due to suspension after elbowing Sydney FC midfielder and Socceroos teammate Terry Antonis. As a result, it would be very risky for Postecoglou to pick Milligan for a starting role but he is an experienced campaigner who has done the job for his country on a number of occasions in the past.
Matt McKay
Possessing a huge engine and plenty of tenacity, McKay is an experienced central midfielder, comfortable in almost any role, even playing many times for the Socceroos under Holger Osieck at left back, highlighting his versatility.
He generally plays a more advanced central midfield role for the Brisbane Roar, ahead of Luke Brattan in a 4-3-3 formation, but he should be able to adjust Postecoglou’s style of play.
He was called upon as a replacement when Milligan injured his hamstring during last years World Cup and performed admirably before backing up with a strong performance against Japan in December.
Terry Antonis
At 21 years of age Terry Antonis is the youngest member of the Socceroos Asian Cup squad. He is currently in the midst of a breakout season at Sydney FC, where his partnership with Milos Dimitrevic in the centre of the park has been impressive.
A sound technician and excellent reader of the game, it would represent a surprising and risky selection given his inexperience. However Postecoglou has consistently shown a willingness to give youth a chance in his time as national team manager, with his selection of 22 year old Massimo Luongo to start in the opening Cup match against Kuwait in just his sixth game being vindicated.
So, who do you think should get the nod? Have your say below.
Fadida
Guest
Matthew Leckie 17 internationals 1 goal. He's a wide player. He needs space to operate as his touch is frequently poor. He is very hesitant around goal. Simply not a natural goal scorer, and hence not suited to a central role
Fadida
Guest
Agree with his improvement but it's still not taking 2 players to replace him.
Paul
Guest
No McKay as he is past his use-by date. Unfortunately he is mates with postecoglou so will probably get the nod. Draw or worse with McKay selected! What about Chris Herd? EPL player. Perhaps, Bresciano for 60 minutes with replaced by Milligan or Antonis depending on the score at the 60 minute mark!
James Anderson
Roar Guru
No goal threat? .. i doubt any bundasliga team would chase a player who they see as a hard working winger/striker who cannot offer any goal scoring threat.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
He is our best footballer. It helps that he plays in the epl, as a captain. Have another geese at the kuwait game and look at how far his passing game has come. He is no longer just a tackling machine, he now has quite a passing range which assisted in two of the goals. Milligan can do it, but wont b as good as jedinak in breaking down play
Wainscoting
Guest
Would prefer Spiranovic there. Anyone but Milligan is fine.
Rob Gremio
Roar Pro
i agree with you on McKay, actually. Milligan is probably a better winner of the ball, but McKay is better with the ball, which may tip the scales in his favour.
Fadida
Guest
Leckie is no central striker. Has to be Juric or Burns. Both offers goal threat that Lecke doesn't have, for all of his work rate.
Rob Gremio
Roar Pro
Nuh, I would get rid of Troisi who didn't really do much during the game except miss his mark with passes. Yes, he scored a goal, but that wasn't exactly as a result of a marvellous flowing move. But, I would remove Troisi to try Tommy Oar in the centre of Mid where he was playing. That's where Oar has been playing most for Utrecht and doing well. As for Jedinak, yeah, probably Milligan for his defensive work, but if it was about initiating the play, I would go with McKay.
Fadida
Guest
Oh come on. Jedinak is a good player but it's his leadership that'll be missed rather than his ability as a footballer. Milligan can certainly fill his spot easily. By himself. Its no 2 man job
billyelliott
Roar Guru
As I said in another forum - Antonis deserves his shot, irrespective of age/expereince. He is the form, Australian, midfielder in the A League, ran rings around Milligan against Melbourne a few weeks ago, has a bigger engine than both Milligan and McKay and a much better passing range. As someone has said previously - provided he has been performing in training then he should be picked. Leaves Cahill with the armband.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
You're right, Antonis is a different kind of player, perhaps Milligan instead for this one, but we need a young replacement to emerge eventually for the Jedinak/Milligan duo, perhaps Brattan or Amini (neither the same sort of player though). Leckie as a central striker offers more than Burns of Juric can when starting. Both, at this level and experience, are impact players until they get more game time, and starting them in such a crucial match is a bit of a risk. I'd love to see Burns start out wide, but not central where he isn't used to. Leckie, Troisi and Kruse can all interchange and therefore will be quite effective against a less crammed Omani defence.
The Bear
Guest
I choose Bratten. However I like the notion of Spira with a shuffle at the back. Did Wilkinson and Sainsbury play club together. Surely.
Pete
Guest
Antonis doesn't offer the same presence as Jedinak or Milligan. I'd rather Antonis play as an 8 for Australia (Luongo could play as a 10). Leckie can't play central either ... you'd be better with Burns or Juric in the centre (Cahill could probably be rested for Oman, but doubt it is needed). I think Brescanio should be our number 10 (starting). He won't last a full game but offers great passing and touch.
langou
Roar Guru
Mods, what are doing adding lines to peoples articles for no reason?
Chris Aloi
Roar Rookie
This was my first article, more a piece to start discussion more than anything. Thanks for reading. My article wasn't heavily edited however the Roar editor did, to my amazement, decide to ADD this line which I never wrote nor implied, nor believe: "As a result, it would be very risky for Postecoglou to pick Milligan for a starting role but he is an experienced campaigner who has done the job for his country on a number of occasions in the past" I expect Milligan to get the nod, like most. Personally I think Matty McKay is the best candidate. Would have no problems with any facet of the role IMO and is a safe, experienced pair of hands and importantly is IMO a far better ball user than Milligan. Not many seem to agree, I concede that. However I would love to see Antonis given the job but seems a tad unlikley. Furthermore, if Milligan is not selected then I consider his NT days somewhat numbered going forward, with the likes of McKay, Antonis and Mooy being the preferred ahead of him at CM. This is coming from a Victory supporter. But all things considered expect Spike to get the job, I hope he does well.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Both? Sub troisi off? ... Perhaps the boots of Jedinak are too big to fill
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
Oman are a team that seem to give the Socceroos a bit of grief every time the two sides meet. Bresciano, with his experience will be useful in settling the team and giving the team some composure in midfield, then if all goes to plan he can be subbed off for someone such as Antonis.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Milligan is the obvious choice. But, there could be an argument mounted to put Spiranovic into the DM role & Wilkinson to partner Sainsbury at the back. Got to admit I was a bit disappointed with the Sprianovic-Sainsbury partnership at the back. I assume Spira is the one with the lead role to organise the defensive line, but I had a good opportunity to watch him for the full 2nd half & he doesn't seem to be a "talker" & our back 4 seemed disorganised when put under pressure.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
We were always going to see a different squad in this Oman match anyway I think. Troisi struggled on the ball against Kuwait, and I think has more to offer out wide. Drop Cahill to the bench and bring Leckie central. Then Antonis, Bresciano and Luongo could start in the middle. Jedinak is a huge loss and we need to fill his experience. But Milligan hasn't been playing regularly, and if Antonis has been performing at training, then I think now is the perfect time to give him his chance. So bringing Bresciano on offers that stability and experience, and all three of these midfielders are capable of playing in Jedinak's holding role, which could see them interchange as much as the forward three.