A-League stars the headline as Socceroos lock in squad for Korea friendly

And Nabbout couldn't get a run in the A-league a couple of years ago. Now he's at Urawa Reds, the reigning Asian champs. Things can change quickly, especially for attacking players.

It's worth reminding ourselves that even Kristian Sarkies was part of Guus' train-on squad back in 2006.

What are you basing this on though. I’ve only seen Goodwin in the half dozen games I’ve seen from ffa cup and 3 rounds of A League. Maybe some highlights from Sparta last year. Same with Mabil. We only get to see the odd you tube video of highlights. One was shafted from Europe, the other has been developed slowly and has signed a new long term deal. Seems like Mabil should be ahead in the pecking order.

As much as I love the way Goodwin is playing at the moment, being in the train on squad is just about right. He played sparingly last year at Sparta and has put three good games together. We need to our players to be consistent and consistently playing. Mabil played 26 games in Portuguese premier league last year and has started this season brilliantly, while Boyle has consistently played 36 games a season the last couple of years as well as starting this season great. Any calls for the the A league guys like Goodwin and Ikonomides to start for the Roos after a couple of good games needs to tempered.

Deng I would probably put behind 5 other center backs just in the A-league, the big plus is his speed, however distribution and touch are poor. Sainsbury is the only top defender in the team, does Grant being in the train on squad mean he is on the same level. Behich to me he is soft defensively, I would rather have Grant. Grant isn't back to his full powers, but he does offer something the rest of the squad dont have, he can cover more ground and do it over the full 90. He is a lot better than Deng with the ball at his feet as well.

Leckie and Kruse need to be benched. Can't even trouble the defense of Kwuait. Yet Mabil comes on, scores and takes the game on by the scruff of the neck but people still says he's not good. I wouldn't be surprised if Korea gives us a real hiding and if we exit in the group stage of the Asian Cup. I don't have any good words to say so far.

Interesting selections from a coach who started his Socceroo playing career under Frank Arok,who in his 9 year tenure used mainly locally based players. When Graham began his coaching career it could be argued that he continued where he had left off and earned quite a reputation for taking raw local talent and combining them into HAL power houses,both at CCM and Sydney FC. Now we see his latest squad we are reminded of his predecessor AP, who spoke long and hard about using "local" talent but who invariably finished up with overseas based players in his final selections. Now with 5 "locals" named ,4 in a "train on" squad are we witnessing the same "modus operandi'. I suppose we will have to wait till the run on team is taking the field,but the personnel named in the main squad have an awful similarity to the players AP used in his final days as sole selector. cheers jb

Given that he was a part of Ange's squads when he wasn't anywhere near in as good as form as he is now it's odd he's been left out. It does serve to highlight the confusion Australian football finds itself in as two months out from our defence of the Asian Cup as there is no real answer to the question of what style will we play, so it's hard therefore to know why certain players were/weren't picked. That's not a criticism of GA, he needs time to implement the style he wants to play and is likely assessing the quality of players he has to determine that style. It's very hard to have a meaningful debate about who is or isn't in the squad when we don't know how we will play.

Ikonomidis looks a great player, two footed, quick, good on the ball. I'm very surprised he wasn't selected.

Celtic apart I disagree. Ben Garuccio and Oliver Bozanic play for leaders Hearts. It's faster than the A-league (weather a big factor), but tactically and technically it's pretty average

Arnold said the purpose of the selections was to ensure Australia had the deepest possible squad to select from as they prepare to defend their Asian Cup title in January next year, saying he wanted to “ensure that more players are exposed to our style and standards as we edge towards the tournament.” - Maybe there should be an annual Socceroos A versus Socceroos B match. Domestic players vs overseas players.

Very true Griffo. When you look at the core squad i think you're looking at 95-99 percent of the squad. And yes I really do question Ikonomides omission. Do you think Boyle is a valuable inclusion considering he might provide us with a number of options up front?

South Korea a key game for what should be for us a squad looking likely for the Asian Cup defence and tactical setup.

In that aspect Franko I wonder why Ikonomidis wasn't a train-on player.

I tend to agree, but in defence of Mabil I don't think we've seen the best of him either. As I understand it, he's been in a rich vein of form in Denmark

Graig Goodwin is better than Awer Mabil in my opinion

Secondly I have to question Grant's presence. He compensates for lack of skill with overt physicality thus regularly drawing fouls and handing possesion over. From a defensive perspective his inclusion would infer that he is on the same level or close to Sainsbury and Behich. Sorry but not even close. Deng is a far better player.

Afternoon All With respect to Martin Boyle, ok the SPL is not La Liga, EPL or Bundesliga but it's still a damned high standard of football. Thinking on a less tactical level, by bringing in Boyle that opens up future opportunities for collaboration with his Hibs strike partner Maclaren

Martin Boyle's spend most of his career in the Scottish 2nd division, last year in the SPL. I don't know that is a significant step up from A-League, maybe in pace. Ikonomidis is perhaps a little stiff not to have got in ahead of him.