Roar Guru
Joined July 2011
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Great article fatboi.
I reckon you could possibly replace Steve Johnson with Adam Goodes who of course started as a soccer player, having only turned to AFL in his mid teens. Playing the number ten role in this team would also see him track back (more than I’d imagine Johnson would) in order to help Judd and Ablett.
I’d also play Franklin over Riewoldt simply because he does virtually everything better than the big Tiger. Maybe even Travis Cloke as the centre forward?
You absolutely nailed the back 4, while I think your choices of Rioli and LeCras playing outside the CF are really well considered. Would have somehow loved to have squeezed the likes of Swan and Boyd in, however I guess that would result in changing the team to a 4-4-2, with those guys holding, Judd and Ablett the attacking, creative mids and perhaps Cloke and Goodes up front together.
You’d have to go either Fletcher or Dale Morris as goalkeeper.
Wow. A seemingly useless exercise that’s really actually worth some thought. Again,great job!
An AFL Socceroos 11: fantasy of a dreamer
Kewell and Cahill functioned extremely well at the Asian Cup in January despite Cahill carrying an injury. In fact their combination was so good it resulted in the Socceroos best ever tournament, nearly pulling off an Asian Cup victory.
In fact I think it’s fair to say Osieck’s preferred attack consists of both Cahill and Kewell, however he’s simply exploring his options with almost three years to go until the World Cup. With that said, Osieck is very much open to change and his squad selection in recent times has acted as an open invitation for anyone wanting to take either of their spots.
Time to take a chill pill about Tim Cahill
Great article! Despite how awful Manning’s injury is, we’re at least now gonna see exactly what lies at the heart of the Colts’ franchise. We’ll find out just how much their run game can handle as well as the exact mettle of the receivers. Its gonna be really intriguing.
Life without Peyton Manning? Not so bad
Personally I’m not a huge fan of returning to ‘Footscray.’ I do kind of agree with Smorgan about the club doing so much work in the west and very much representing that very significant and ever-growing part of Victoria. With that said, I’m always referring to them as ‘Footscray’ so in that respect it wouldn’t be so radical a change.
I’m also not totally sold on jumper change either. I guess I’m not one for glorifying the past be it in sports or elsewhere, particularly when ours (the Dogs) hasn’t been overwhelmingly spectacular.
Interested in your thoughts however, and of course who you think should get the coaching job?
Keep up the good work by the way, I really like your pieces.
The Bulldogs must take a trip to the Butcher
Certainly not Fevola. I really think that apart from the risks associated with him, the Dogs really need to be thinking long-term insofar as solving their problems regarding key position forwards. After all Baz was bought in at a similar point in his career and his retirement has left left us (them) with the same dilemma.
Someone who could give the Dogs 8-10 years service alongside Jones (who really has had a remarkably under-appreciated year) would be ideal.
The Bulldogs must take a trip to the Butcher
Great piece Tony and thanks for the Villa-Boas telegraph link. An excellent explanation of both the good and bad features of the 4-4-2 diamond formation. Not one I’m not totally in love with, but as you suggested, deployed brilliant by Laviscka when Sydney won their most recent title. It’s becoming more and more obvious just how crucial wingers/wider players are in the modern game and in the increasingly popular 4-3-3. Not only does one have to be sharp and precise, but most importantly you have to be accountable, Karol Kisel being an excellent example.
Quick question- Who would you regard as the most equipped players in Socceroo contention to carry out such responsibilities?
It's all in the dynamics of the formation
Great article, and a victory for art over science.
Darren Fletcher Man United's forgotten man
And Liverpool, like Rangers, have been performing splendidly in recent times…….
Glad you liked my article in any event.
A-League set to lose the nose from its face
Fantastic news!!
And again, thanks for such a brilliant preview.
Eurobasket 2011 preview: Can France break duck?
I think you just re-hashed my article mate, yet began my by sighting mine as the problem in the debate.
I certainly don’t advocate any set formation and believe strongly that the players should indeed shape the chosen formation.
Not sure how you missed that??
Which tactical system is best for Australia?
Great preview! Any word on TV coverage?
Eurobasket 2011 preview: Can France break duck?
I also believe in the 4-3-3 system and don’t believe its defensive at all. The problem as I see it, is that the 4-3-3 often acts as a disguise for something more akin to 4-5-1, where the wings (as you rightly point out) sometimes disappear and leave the striker very much unsupported.
I don’t think we’re ready to play the 4-3-3 the way the likes of Barcelona or even Brisbane do (we’re far, far away to be sure) while we haven’t really got the talent in the back 4 which indeed kick starts that particular formation.
I’m advocating a flatter 4-4-2 type look, at least for this team. It would mean asking Oar to track back a little more, in the same vein as Matt McKay for instance, while I think Amini should partner him there. I don’t know quite who should occupy the two more defensive midfield positions in the absense of Kantarovski and any other natural fits, though I suspect Atonis and Petratos would be our best bet for now. Maybe Grant could be moved into the midfield, or Sam Gallagher perhaps?
To address the first comment I’m just a little sick of hearing about processes and development and learning. Its the Under 20 World Cup for Pete’s sake! It’s kind of a little pathetic continually losing at youth level yet attempting to justify the results by the old ‘learning the right way to play’ rhetoric. Surely that’s what their clubs are doing for these individuals as well. Surely there’s some sort of a duty to deliver some positive results when it comes to representative football?
Young Socceroos must take game to Spain
Great article janek, and brilliant work Michael! Would love to see more of your stuff. Thanks for getting the ball rolling Fuss.
Branko Culina takes a big tactical gamble