Can the Socceroos win the World Cup? Perhaps they ought to be considered contenders after putting four goals past an outmatched Czech Republic.
I am, of course, joking about Australia being considered as tournament contenders.
But why is that any time something positive happens for the Socceroos, our first reaction is to tear it down and think something negative instead?
Why are we so conditioned to automatically think the worst about the national team?
Perhaps that’s one area of the game where having a new coach in Bert van Marwijk might help.
Ange Postecoglou might have revolutionised the Socceroos had he taken the team to the World Cup finals and played a 3-4-1-2 formation in Russia.
But there’s no point denying certain aspects of his regime had become toxic – including his relationship with certain elements within the mainstream media.
And while some were quick to proclaim van Marwijk nothing more than a stop-gap measure here for a quick pay cheque, maybe that’s exactly what the Socceroos need?
It’s a moot point anyway. There should be serious questions asked of Football Federation Australia’s role in Postecoglou’s decision to resign – but resign he did.
And now the Socceroos have an interim coach in charge who behaves as though he couldn’t care less about a single thing the FFA says or does.
So why shouldn’t we start to believe that van Marwijk knows what he’s doing?
He’s certainly tightened up Australia’s back four. After a disastrous performance in van Marwijk’s first game in charge, the Socceroos have now gone two games without conceding.
Handing Trent Sainsbury the armband in Mile Jedinak’s absence suggests van Marwijk is happy to pin his defensive hopes on the on-loan Grasshoppers man.
And playing Mark Milligan alongside him – where Milligan’s ability to read the game is better utilised than in midfield where he’s hampered by a lack of pace – could prove a masterstroke in Russia.
Then there was the use of Andrew Nabbout up front. Sure, the Czech defending was ordinary, but the Urawa Reds attacker still had plenty to do for his goal.
And the fact he was able to finish with such pace and power suggests Nabbout could be a useful addition to the squad – even if he doesn’t start in Russia.
But what van Marwijk mostly brings – regardless of who he chooses for his final 23-man squad – is a sense of self-belief.
Had Postecoglou stayed the course, maybe he would have done so too.
But having had no prior experience of Australian football and its internecine politics, van Marwijk seems to have simply shrugged his shoulders, rolled up his sleeves and got on with the job of picking the best possible squad for the finals.
Mathew Leckie played like a man transformed against the Czechs – scoring twice – without having to worry about defensive duties.
(AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
And Mat Ryan seemed to solidify his position as Australia’s number one goalkeeper – not that it was in any doubt – by playing the full ninety minutes.
Even the fact teenage tyro Daniel Arzani was only handed a six-minute cameo seemed to suggest van Marwijk knows exactly who is in contention for a starring role in Russia.
And that probably spells bad news for Fran Karacic, James Troisi, Nikita Rukavytsya and possibly even Josh Brillante.
But maybe – despite another luckless showing up front in a national team jersey – Jamie Maclaren will earn a stay of execution, given the question marks over Tomi Juric’s fitness.
It goes without saying that it would be unwise to read too much into a performance against a Czech side with nothing to play for on neutral territory.
But then it’s probably also worth acknowledging that van Marwijk seems like the last coach on earth to actually to do that.
France will provide the sternest test imaginable. Everything so far suggests van Marwijk is up for the challenge.
lunchboxexpert
Guest
The lack of continuity of players between world cups shows why young players shouldn't, in general, be selected to give them world cup experience. Four years is a long time between world cups and a lot can change in this time. Most players careers span only two or three world cups. Players should be selected because they part of the best team for their country. Sure if two players are the same then pick the younger one, but two players rarely satisfy this.
fadida
Guest
Good point. Historically I think (haven't checked) that many countries would have a decent attrition rate from WC to WC. Of the players mentioned; Taggart -would be there but for injuries. Our best striker. Oar - found out as being one dimensional O'Halloran - chosen based on potential and physical characteristics. Went to the right league but hasn't fulfilled potential. Langerak - the pitfalls of not being a being a first choice keeper for too long. Brad Jones suffered it for years. Holland - a workmanlike midfielder neither physically strong (Jedinak, Irvine), technically excellent or a goal threat (Mooy, Luongo, Rogic). He made the right career moves but is just limited. See also Jimmy Jeggo Spira - agree, wrong career choice. He should be partnering Sainsbury. Vidosic - a not quite man. Not quite fast enough, strong enough (Leckie and Nabbout), doesn't impact games enough. Didn't make great career choices and doesn't appear to be hungry enough Davidson- we have 5 left backs that are all similar (as left backs are) Huddersfield was too big a step, didn't get the game time he needed. Bozanic - was only ever handy at CCM. Somehow found his way to Switzerland, made a brilliant goalscoring start but has since returned to his baseline; A-league squad player. A few made poor choices, some didn't kick on, some were never very good. Some will stay injury free and lead our attack for the next 5 years.
Fadida
Guest
I must have missed the press release when the truth came out? As far as I'm aware it's all speculation. What I do know was that Ange stated family reasons for his leaving, among others. He understandably wanted to spend more time with them, which he couldn't do traveling the world. Then he moved to Japan and left them behind.
Melange
Guest
I'm wondering whether some of the youngsters in the '14 squad are sitting at home reconsidering their career moves over the past few years. I was hoping a few more of them would be the core of our team by now had they continued their development: Oliver BOZANIC, Jason DAVIDSON, Ben HALLORAN, James HOLLAND, Mitchell LANGERAK, Tommy OAR, Matthew SPIRANOVIC, Adam TAGGART, Dario VIDOSIC Of these I thought Langerak, Oar, Spira and Taggart would be playing a part this year.
Melange
Guest
Not too many who make comments like theirs pay too much heed to truth reuster
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Always thought that Bert was a good appointment; he was endearing from his first interview; https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/02/17/bert-van-marwijk-will-succeed-win-lose/.
reuster75
Guest
Have you got proof of what you say as they are pretty big claims to make about why AP left? AP has publicly said one of the reasons for leaving was his frustration at the inability of people in the game in Australia to concentrate on the big picture and only focus on the narrow goal of qualifying for Russia. http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/ange-postecoglou-socceroos-world-cup-australia-football/f0tctz2n0pht1jhtxb9lc6ndn
reuster75
Guest
It also gets down to what direction do we want to take as a nation in terms of playing style, development etc and what our ultimate goal is (i.e. do we want to aim to winning the world cup or is our goal just to qualify?) This conversation needs to take place before appointing a coach but in Australia we don't seem to want to have this type of conversation. So as the FFA were determined that AP's successor was Australian then GA is the best available Australian coach. As he wasn't available until after the a-league season finished the FFA appointed BVM for the world cup as in their opinion he was the best coach available for the world cup only.
reuster75
Guest
AP gave an interview to the world football show on the BBC world service recently in which he touched on his exit and that surprisingly he'd made the decision about 12 moths ago and that a lot of his frustration was around the fact all so many people seemed to care about was qualifying for qualifying's sake (http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/ange-postecoglou-socceroos-world-cup-australia-football/f0tctz2n0pht1jhtxb9lc6ndn). Have also heard Jack Reilly ex FFA director in an interview with Santo Cilauro mention that it was known behind the scenes for a while Graham Arnold was going to replace Ange, which ties in with AP's comments to BBC. I remember an interview AP gave to ABC's offsiders just after the Honduras matches and he hinted there were things that contributed to his decision he felt he couldn't reveal at that time. So agreed it's perfectly reasonable to think there was more to the story than meets the eye, and until such time as someone speaks the whole truth about what happened this type of speculation will continue.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_An5O5MRUUg Tell Stephen Lowy, I'm in my office... Ange, should not have resigned, but should have waited for the inevitable. Lowy and Postecoglou were at odds over the PFA footballer's demands... The book is coming!
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Denmark didn't really have the hardest route to the World Cup either, and although they had a couple of impressive results en route with a 4-0 over Poland and 5-1 over Ireland in the play off, they also drew with the likes of Romania and even lost against Montenegro at home. Not a team we should fear.
Chris
Guest
I take your point Chris, the madness was not a back 3 per se, but a back 3 and a formation that weakened us in every way. Which he then persisted with despite a lack of evidence that it worked
chris
Guest
Brazil would trounce Sweden by a min of 3 goals if they played each other. They look static and ponderous in defence and the one touch Brazilians would make mince meat of that type of defending.
chris
Guest
Fad I didnt like the back 3 for Aus but why say "he's abandoned the back 3 madness in Japan"? Many teams play with a central back 3 and wing backs that can motor up and down the line all day long. Personally i dont like that formation but its not madness either.
chris
Guest
I didn't see anything in Denmark (or Sweden for that matter) that makes me think we aren't a good chance against them. They didn't look incisive and looked vulnerable at times. Yes Errikson didn't play and he's a fine player. But he's not Messi.
lunchboxexpert
Guest
If you are in the job for 6 months to 18 months yes that is what you do. But if you are in the job for longer then you should be able to fashion the players into a style of play that can do better. This is what Ange was trying to do and I don't think he was asking much different from that expected of players in many other countries, nor asking what could not have been achieved by say the Australian team of say 2006 and maybe 2010. I agree that appointing a new coach after wc qualification was the way to go, not because Ange was a poor coach, but because a fresh set of eyes and ideas was needed free from the constraints of past decisions/approaches to maximise our performance at this world cup.
lunchboxexpert
Guest
Fadida, Thats not my intention. I just want people to think a bit more deeply about why Ange failed to build the team he wanted, Because, as I stated, if Australia wants a team that is going to make a world cup quarter final, a semi final or a final, this is the question we need to find answers too.
Andrew
Roar Guru
Eriksen ran the whole show in the play-off victory over Ireland, so it wouldn't surprise me to see a man-marking job on him ala Herrera on Hazard in a Man Utd. vs Chelsea game at Old Trafford last year.
fadida
Guest
The best coaches assess the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of the players available and design their system around it. Ange tried to play a system not suiting us, and even as they floundered and performances dropped off the face of the earth he still refused to change. So lucky not to be sacked. Apparently he has abandoned his back 3 madness in Japan though
Fadida
Guest
You should work for the tourism department lunchbox. Such a glowing endorsement for the country.