Blind Freddy is aware of the fact that the Socceroos need to find the net more frequently from open play.
The reasons behind the issue are numerous and form links in a problematic chain that has seen the expert penalty taking of Mile Jedinak become Australia’s most consistent source of scoreboard success in recent times.
In a nutshell, a failure to combat midfield pressure when playing against quality opposition exposes the Socceroos’ flaws in control and poise on the ball.
Possession can be maintained negatively, yet far too often the vital ingredient of possession with purpose is lost.
Australia’s 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign was littered with examples of dominant possession statistics, at odds with the number of clear chances created and thus, those converted.
The knock on effect of that opposition pressure is a reduction in the speed of ball movement, as the Socceroos attempt to build attacks. A composed and structured defensive unit can then sit comfortably in the knowledge that the Socceroos won’t hurt them with slow and stodgy passing through the centre of the pitch.
Socceroos Mile Jedinak and Mark Milligan. (SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
In turn, the service to the front three generally provides difficult and remote opportunities, as the wider attackers such as Matthew Leckie and Robbie Kruse attempt to access width pushing forward.
The subsequent quality of their crosses is often symptomatic of a slow and stifled attack rather than one featuring any explosiveness or the genuine speed and ability required to get in behind defences.
The end result sees the focal point in attack receiving chances few and far between and standing forlorn in the box, as cross after cross is cleared with ease: often mishit, misfired or misdirected.
Bert van Marwijk’s influence on the team in Russia was obvious. His commitment to a back four in which he believed did solidify things defensively and many felt it kept the Socceroos in the hunt until late in their third group match.
Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic and Jedinak were his preferred trio in midfield and only Jackson Irvine appeared to have also gained his trust. Andrew Nabbout’s motor was clearly the kicker when it came to his selection of the man up front.
Using the tools he had, van Marwijk gelled a team as best he could yet a miracle worker he is not. Despite his best efforts, none of the aforementioned cracks and limitations were glossed over. He did however, empower the Socceroos in whom he trusted and asked for the performance of their lives against France. And deliver they almost did.
Former Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Against Denmark we saw glimpses of quality yet failed to capitalise on an opponent ripe for the picking. By the time the team took to the pitch against Peru they looked tired and jaded.
Asking a team for an emotional and monumental effort on any given day can work once, perhaps even twice yet the reality is that something more sustainable is eventually required.
Short term coaching appointments however, are not conducive to sustainability.
The Socceroos continue to spring eternal hope and the next man charged with navigating the immediate and medium term challenges ahead is Graham Arnold.
His first order of business will be to address the goal drought and develop an effective, realistic and productive method to reverse the trend. Easier said than done of course yet Arnold has already alluded to his preferred approach.
I must admit, his comments last week about the mental side of the game, sports psychology and belief, didn’t exactly fill me with confidence.
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Claiming that the lack of goals could potentially be a result of players soaking up negative commentary through social media and becoming convinced of their own limitations if an interesting observation, however, I was hoping for something a little more scientific.
He took a veiled swipe at van Marwijk by suggesting that the players did far too much unnecessary running in Russia and declared his intention to play a ‘possession based game’ similar to the one that had served the ‘higher teams’ well at the World Cup.
That intention does fly a little in the face of his former club Sydney FC and its ability to absorb and counter effectively. One hopes his words are not hollow rhetoric promoting a system of play unachievable by the players at his disposal.
A possession based game with purpose will obviously be the intention. We have been there before, with varying success under Ange Postecoglou before another brief encounter with Dutch pragmatism.
However the new mentor approaches things, let’s hope for some early success and continued development of players like Josh Risdon, Daniel Arzani and Andrew Nabbout who are new to the national team.
They are key components in the Socceroos’ future, along with Massimo Luongo and Jackson Irvine in midfield.
While the psychology of goal scoring is relevant, I hope Arnold also faces the limitations in skill and execution in the squad, implements a realistic game plan and keenly sources the next wave of Socceroos astutely.
The mind is a powerful thing yet possessing the right plan for the bodies in your service is just as important.
Arto
Guest
I think Arnold will continue as he has been the past 2 seasons (whilst also developing as any person does) along the way - forthright, outspoken and positive (bordering on arrogant). Part of it is to deflect attention away from the players, part of it is to instill strong, positive self-belief. Either way, People will need to read a bit between the lines & NOT take what he says in the media at face-value as there will be an agenda behind it and maybe that agenda won't be obvious all the time. As for our playing stocks, regardless it's hard to turn water into wine so unless he unearths a new talent or has a game plan to suit some players we haven't seen too much of recently at NT level, we should brace ourselves for more of Bert's pragmatism (despite Arnold's comments about unnecessary running). We may be a bit more attack-minded at the expense of defensive solidity, but not by much, IMO - all of Arnold's winning teams have been based upon a solid defensive platform. And we have only 6mths until the Asian Cup so there just isn't time to change the play book completely AGAIN. Small adjustments from Bert's plan will be possible though & Arnold's focus on the mental side of things is likely to be a continuation of Ange's strong belief in an AUS Identity. Our main problems will again be prying open the defences of a team that sits back - as Ange struggled with - and taking our chances when they arise - also as Ange struggled with. that's not a knock on Ange, but rather a sign of the players he had to choose from. The lower-ranked teams will test ur creativity, whilst the higher-ranked teams will test our effectiveness in the final 3rd. All the while, we'll need to be vigilant at the back and avoid silly mistakes due to mental lapses...
Arto
Guest
He (@ Stevo) didn't answer your (...) because he doesn't have one! SFC weren't 'dour' - even Blind Freddy (to borrow Stuart's use of the phrase) could see that - perhaps Stevo was using the lack of huge attendences to SFC games as a reason for calling them dour? In fact, SFC were probably the exact opposite of dour as they had arguably the most direct style of play of all A-League teams during last season (despite their lack of an out-and-out 'speedster' on the wing. High ball tempo & quick pressing (when initiated) were key components of their game plan so it'll be interesting to see how Corica develops the team moving forward.
Lancey5times
Roar Rookie
We're the Carlton of world football but without the draft picks. You think a new coach is all they need to turn it around?
JamesH
Roar Guru
Arnold wants the Roos to play "a ‘possession based game’ similar to the one that had served the ‘higher teams’ well at the World Cup"? Like Spain and Germany? With comments like that I have to wonder how much of the WC he actually watched.
...
Guest
Against Syria in Sydney, a grand total of 0 times. Imposing.
chris
Guest
How many times did Aus hit the post/crossbar?
...
Guest
Yeah I have watched plenty of Sydney FC and Australian football over the last 20 years and the last way to describe Arnold’s Sydney is as dour. Again, what part of scoring the most goals in a season and getting the most points is “dour” football? Are you sure you aren’t confusing Joyce and Arnold?
Stevo
Roar Rookie
You needed to have watched the games rather than quote some stats. Thrilling entertainers they were not.
Ad-O
Guest
Australia can play whatever system they like they will still be a poor team. Our squad was in the bottom 3 teams at the WC talent wise. Getting one point and not being thrashed was over achieving for this group of players.
Ad-O
Guest
Last time I checked Arzani wasn't transferred to PSG for £166M. Mbappe is in a different ballpark.
...
Guest
Scoring the most goals and getting the most points in a season in the competitions history is “dour” football now?
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Play the game with passes going forward and attack with speed Mr Arnold I don’t think Australian fans could tolerate another era of mindless backward or sideways passing all game. Trial petratos Nabbout and McClaren as a front 3 until it pays off big time
...
Guest
Well if we are taking results in isolation he has also managed Yokohama to conceede 3 times in the Emperor’s Cup to a fully amateur side... Almost as impressive as needing the post to keep Syria from knocking Australia out of WCQ.
Nemesis
Guest
As an interesting aside, as we all know Ange Postecoglou left the AUS coaching job and now coaches Yokohama F Marinos in the J-League. He has started the season with mixed results & sits closer to the relegation zone than the ACL qualifying zone and last night the J-League started again after the WC break. Ange's team played away last night against the team that sits well above them on the J-League table. FT: Vegalta Sendai 2 - 8 Yokohama F Marinos Ange's team was leading 0-4 at HT.
apaway
Roar Guru
But they had a gifted 19 year old that they put trust in...oh, wait...
Rolly
Guest
Young players need to be cultivated and given a fair go so many talented players playing in Australia who for what ever reason are not in the junior Socceroo joey squads but are very talented which need to be discovered clealry FFA system of discovering young talent isn't working 'this needs to be fixed a better scouting system nationwide.what we are doing now is not working .the old brigade need to be removed .arzani was picked but not played ridiculous decision ..mental fitness is also important but that's where the right coach and management team comes in to instil confidence ..Arnolds position should not be guarenteeed without results .never underestimate how important a successful Socceroo team is to the nation and the sport in this country.the tv ratings for the World Cup were phenomenal . FFA have lost the plot and clearly can not manage the national team and the A league. A new governing body needs to be set up .
Buddy
Guest
I can’t claim to be looking forward to this new era and the management and playing style that might be on offer. But who knows, we could see a whole new mk 2 or maybe mk 3 version of GA. All smiles, embracing the media, open and inviting and coaching a squad that is available to the media, hungry to have meet ups with fan groups, holds open. Training sessions, completes training demonstrations at grass roots level, supplies regular memorabilia to help raise funds for local and grassroots clubs. The team will be coached imto playing a more expansive game, midfielders encouraged to find forward and diagonal passes into danger zones rather than go backwards or perform like crabs and the team will become a delight to watch, drawing in new fans and large crowds wherever they go. The dream goes on but it is my dream and I don’t really like sharing!
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Spot on analysis of our limitations Stuart. The proof of the pudding will be our results in the Asia Cup not Arnie’s mumbling commentary. Let’s hope there’s some credible substance from him. He did have the luxury of Bobo and Ninks in his otherwise dour setup. I hope he doesn’t see the need to find more players of the quality of Matty Simon as the cure to our lack of goal scoring.
Onside
Guest
How Arnold now manages his immediate response to pressure will be interesting.
jamesb
Guest
France won a world cup with Olivier Giroud not scoring a goal. France did show that you don't need the main striker to score goals.