For all your discussion regarding the squads of all World Cup competing nations. One of the great parts of the WC.

I'll kick off with an ideal squad of 23 for Australia:

GK: Ryan, Langerak, Galekovic

DFs: Spiranovic, Sainsbury, Good, Williams (Ognenovski), Davidson, Wilkshire, Franjic

MFs: Jedinak, Milligan, Holland, Sarota, Leckie, Oar, Rogic, Bresciano, Troisi, Vidosic

FWs: Cahill, Kennedy, Taggart

And when England revealed their World Cup away kit, present were Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling...



Edited by proud2becanberran: 1/4/2014 02:43:47 PM

Very close to the squad I'd pick. I have a lot of data to support my selections too.

I think Ogger should be in the squad regardless of Williams' fitness.

I think Eugene should be second choice keeper. I've watched him play since 2006 in the HAL and the ACL. I've hardly seen him make a mistake, maybe 2 two in that huge expanse of time. Even though Langerak, Jones and Frederici (who has done well for Oz in friendlies), none have played anywhere near as much match football as Eugene. Langerak and Jones have made some shocking mistakes for Australia.

Eugene's foot skills are not that good on the deck, but they've improved under Gombau.

Jones, like Frank Juric, has had a huge career of just being a reserve at big clubs in Europe. When Juric returned to the HAL, he was no better than the local keepers.

Original squad:

1. Ryan
2. Vukovic
3. Langerak

4. Franjic
5. Wilkshire
6. Sainsbury
7. McGowan
8. Ognenovski
9. Spiranovic
10. Herd
11. Davidson

12. Jedinak
13. Milligan
14. Bresciano
15. Rogic
16. Oar
17. Vidosic
18. Troisi
19. Sarota
20. Ruka

21. Kennedy
22. Leckie
23. Cahill

EDITS:
7/4/14 - Herd OUT ---> Taggart IN
20/4/14 - Ruka OUT ---> Halloran IN

Also, at this stage I'd be 50/50 over Vukovic and Galekovic. I'd take 4 keepers into camp and then pick 3.

Edited by eastern glory: 7/4/2014 10:13:12 PM

Edited by eastern glory: 20/4/2014 02:40:57 PM

Mine's very similar to EG's.

1. Ryan
2. Langerak
3. Vukovic (if he actually plays in Japan, if not Galekovic)
4. Franjic
5. Wilkshire
6. Sainsbury
7. Good
8. North
9. Spiranovic
10. Davidson
11. McKay
12. Jedinak (C)
13. Milligan
14. Bresciano
15. Brattan
16. Rogic
17. Vidosic
18. Troisi
19. Sarota
20. Leckie
21. Kennedy
22. Cahill
23. Taggart

Starting line up of.

Goalkeepers:
Ryan
Langerak
Brighitti

Defenders:
Davidson
Spiranovic
Good
Franjic
Wright
Cornthwaite
McGowan

Midfielders:
Milligan
Bozanic
Holland
Jedinak
Brattan
Nichols
Vidosic

Wingers and Forwards :
Oar
Leckie
Taggart
Troisi
Halloran
Rukavytsya

GK
Ryan
Langerak
Galekovic

DF
Spiranovic
Good
Sainsbury
Ognenovski
Wilkshire
Franjic
Davidson

MF
Milligan
Jedinak ©
Halloran
Leckie
Rogic
Bresciano
Oar
Troisi
Sarota
Holland

CF
Cahill
Kennedy
Taggart

Hmm this is hard, I'll take the angle of who's certain, so far, rather than my own squad, though FTR I'd doubt I'd differ much from you guys:


GK: Ryan (#1), Langerak, ?

DFs: Spiranovic, ?, ?, Williams (/?), Davidson, ? , Franjic

MFs: Jedinak, Milligan, ? , Sarota, Leckie, Oar, Rogic, Bresciano, ? , Vidosic

FWs: Cahill, Kennedy, ?

= 16 all-but confirmed, bar/forbid injury/ies :/

The rest (7 spots) is up to a band of contenders numbering a dozen or so, for each of the respective areas of the team and ofcourse form and fitness are big determiners there. There are 3-4 players who I could also all to the above list, but their injuries/fitness issues are the hang-up - the likes of Curtis Good, Trent Sainsbury, Ben Halloran and others - especially when it can affect their subsequent match fitness/appearances and form too. McGowan is highly likely, but regular football the pre-requisite. Alex Wilkinson's performance/errors against Ecuador did him no favours and again club form/fitness a priority too. Matt McKay a strong chance, but depends on squad the wider composition/demands - McKay's 'tactical/positional flexibility' works in his favour. Lucas Neill's last ditch attempts at regular but high-level football could still see him swoop back in - but that's an emphasis on 'could' and that, like everybody else, is still a 'wait and see' work in progress.

As Ange constantly re-iterates, players need to be conditioned and playing regularly/in-form. The bar is higher than before and all players must meet that pre-requisite, these days.


Going by above, only 1 striker role free - Adam Taggart 'could' be odds on, but he 'could' also be battling against the likes of Troisi. Midfield rotation is largely sorted so it's just 1-2 fringers - McKay could still be odds-on - less Ange seeks a fourth enforcer/DM in the rotation, Bozanic or another wide player could be on for the other possie though hopefully the likes of Halloran fighting fit and in-form again? Brattan could still be a chance over McKay, depending on the squad demands - IF Ange is seeking immediate back-up depth to deputise deeper playmaker Bresc, esp if he sees Rogic as more advanced, then Brattan could be the choice?

Defence is the big variable and we all know that. That's where all the mysteries and on-going intrigues lie - from an injury plague lead by star Rhys Williams, to the Lucas Neill conundrum to young and inexperienced up and comers, to other oldies hanging on like The Og, Alex Wilkinson, Jade North, Patrick Kisnorbo and co.

It ironically seems 'open slather' for the area of the field where you need the most stability, security and consistency!

Edited by GloryPerth: 7/4/2014 12:48:00 AM

1. Ryan
2. Langerak
3. Galekovic

4. Franjic
5. McGowan
6. Sainsbury
7. Ognenovski
8. Spiranovic
9. Zullo
10. Davidson

11. Jedinak
12. Milligan
13. McKay
14. Rogic
15. Oar
16. Vidosic
17. Troisi
18. Sarota
19. Leckie
20. Ruka

21. Kennedy
22. Taggart
23. Cahill

Edited by Roar_Brisbane: 7/4/2014 09:02:33 PM

Since Herd is no longer a footballer apparently, I'd take him out and put Taggart in. Obviously different positions but I feel like my squad has enough defensive cover as is.

I have a strange feeling Troisi will start against Chile in Cuiaba on June 13. I would start all of Rogic, Bresciano, Oar, Leckie and Cahill ahead of him but James' form has been very good and I get the feeling Ange will name him in the starting XI.

Edited by proud2becanberran: 8/4/2014 08:05:42 AM

1. Ryan
2. Langerak
3. Jones

4. Franjic
5. Wilkshire
6. Sainsbury
7. Good
8. Neill
9. Spiranovic
10. Zullo
11. Davidson

12. Jedinak
13. Milligan
14. McKay
15. Rogic
16. Oar
17. Vidosic
18. Troisi
19. Sarota
20. Ruka

21. Kennedy
22. Leckie
23. Cahill

Train-on squad: Brattan, Taggart, others

I am a Victory supporter. I think Troisi has been inconsistent and disappointing in the HAL, given he was coming back as a Socceroo. I think Nichols was better. Troisi has had some good performances, but not consistently enough.

Nathan Burns was quite good for Jets when playing in the HAL.

Since Taggart is so young, he has the potential to improve quickly in a short period of time. He has banged in the goals in the HAL.

Credit to Holger for seeing something in him before anybody else. I think he should be in the squad of 23.

One other in the HAL is the fleet footed David Williams with the cannon shot. Like Taggart, he has scored a lot of goals lately , after being profligate earlier into season when Aloisi was coach.

To put it into perspective.

Viduka, as probably our best ever striker, scored 29 goals in 24 matches in the NSL at age 20. Taggart at age 20 has scored 15 goals in 24 matches in the a-league.

If he can continue scoring at half the rate of Viduka, he should have an impressive career, keeping in mind that Viduka went on to score a goal a game for Zagreb and Celtic, and then a goal every second game for Leeds over a period of 9 seasons.

GKs:
1.Ryan
2.Langerak
3.Federici

Defenders:
4.Sainsbury
5.Good
6.Neill
7.Williams
8.McGowan
9.Zullo
10.Spiranovic
11.Davidson

Midfielders:
12.Jedinak
13.Milligan
14.Sarota
15.Oar
16.Halloran
17.Rogic
18.Vidosic
19.Luongo

Forwards:
20.Leckie
21.Kennedy
22.Cahill
23. Juric

No Franjic or Wilkshire?

1. Ryan
2. Langerak
3. Vuković

Defenders
4. Sainsbury
5. McGowan
6. Špiranović
7. Franjić
8. Davidson
9. Williams (if fit)
10. Zullo

Midfielders
11. Jedinak
12. Milligan
13. Brattan
14. McKay
15. Sarota
16. Rogic
17. Vidošić
18. Oar
19. Bozanić

Forwards
20. Leckie
21. Kennedy
22. Cahill
23. Juric

Ognenovski in if Williams is confirmed 100% out. Apart from that, no one who is not expected to be in contention for the Asian Cup. Juric>Taggart because he can actually hold up the ball with his back to the defenders, McKay and Bozanić have been good this season and are versatile and no wilkshire because he has been ordinary at club level and a liability in the NT for way too long.

Yeah its interesting the RB position, neill has actually been playing there as has williams and mcgowan can play there.

As god as franjic is going forward I feel the fact hes been playing so far forward, defensively he may not be as good I think if we have neill there he could just lay a defensive role while also not always being exposed down the middle by lack of speed.

Man these squads make for depressing reading. Nobody really expects Australia to be competitive so giving big game experience to the young lads with one eye on the Asian Cup is probably the primary consideration.

Ok so the keepers pretty much pick themselves...
Ryan
Langerak (who made a huge mistake not attempting to go out on loan this season)
Galekovic

Defenders look like a disaster waiting to happen. And anyone with Neill in the team is taking the piss.
Wilkshere
McGowan
Spiranovic
Franjic
Good
Zullo
Williams (fitness pending)

Midfielders look a little better
McKay
Sarota
Milligan
Jedinak
Holman
Oar
Vidosic
Bresciano

Strikers look embarrassing as defence
Kennedy
Cahill
Taggart
Juric

With the last spot I'm torn between Thompson's experience and ability to be a game-changer or having more depth in midfield. Since it's unlikely that we're going to be chasing a late victory you've probably gotta go with James Holland.

When is Ange going to announce the squad officially?

The deadline for squad submission is June 2nd.

The announcement for the 30-man preliminary squad is May 10th, if I remember correctly (Or was it 12th?).

From there the squad will be whittled down to the final 23, come June 2nd, excluding the three emergency/stand-by players.

1. Ryan
2. Langerak
3. Jones

4. Spiranovic
5. Good
6. Wilkshere
7. Franjic
8. Sainsbury
9. Davidson
10. Smith

11. McKay
12. Jedinak
13. Milligan
14. Sarota
15. Halloran
16. Troisi
17. Rogic
18. Oar
19. Brattan
20. Bresciano

21. Cahill
22. Kennedy
23. Leckie

If Ange doesn't start Troisi he has to go and be replaced by someone who will.

Edited by jlm8695: 15/4/2014 11:06:05 PM

GK: Ryan (#1), Langerak, ?

DFs: Spiranovic, ?, ?, Williams (/?), Davidson, ? , Franjic

MFs: Jedinak, Milligan, Sarota, Leckie, Oar, Rogic, Bresciano, Vidosic, Halloran?, ?

FWs: Cahill, Kennedy, Troisi?

= 18 all-but confirmed, bar/forbid injury/ies :/


http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/fire-halloran-world-cup-bolter

Added Halloran as a stronger chance now, due to his return from injury and subsequent form again? He missed Ecuador due to an injury, but if he's returning to fitness and showing the kind of form which saw him draw attention from Ange before - then, goodo, we have another squad member (In this case a like-for-like Robbie Kuse replacement) all-but confirmed?! =d>

-And unfortunately, closer we get to the date - more recent times Rhys Williams has all-but been ruled out, by his club coach, of featuring again this season. There was promising talk from Williams and his club coach during his recovery, but both still emphasised it was slow and steady and a return to the playing was still some way off. But the recent week or so coach Karanka confirmed, basically, that he wouldn't be rehabilitated in-time to be risked featuring this season.

-Spiranovic has made big strides this season, including in the ACL game tonight. He's risen to be our leading CB option - it's just a matter of who will partner him?

-Such a shame to see Harry Kewell finally depart the scene, including the NT scene. His quality still on display, in his finale and it's that big game clutch, x-factor that Kewell brings in spades that nobody else can or arguably ever has for this country. He could even play Bresc's role in this team, be back up or something. But I suppose that wouldn't be right and we all recognise that he tactically doesn't fit into this team and it's demands entering into this 2014 WC task.

=d> Harry Kewell



Well, agree with the surrounding sentiment - Troisi has surely risen to be amongst the leaders of the pack in regards to the fringe players seeking to secure that final attacking possie within the potential WC squad? Taggart has had a great, productive, season too - but Troisi and his long awaited talent is finally blossoming, playing in a team (Victory) in the technical style it does (The interplay, off the ball movement and tactical smarts), as too Troisi's own tactical flexibility (He's a left sided boy and can play on the wing and AM) should give him the edge? Taggart can play as a winger too, but I suspect Troisi's 'capacities' and 'capabilities' may be just that much greater. Also, finally, the A-League Finals PLUS ACL football on offer for Troisi, taking him closer to the WC, gives him a distinct advantage over Taggart and some others.

So sorry to say for my fellow West Australian, but James Troisi should be the leading contender for that final attacking place in the World Cup squad?

Edited by GloryPerth: 15/4/2014 11:35:26 PM

I agree with this. I think Coe, might have come back into contention last night. He is the best "sweeper Goalkeeper" which fits into ange's system, i think he could be the third place bolter, although i acknowledge he is still behind Jones and Galekovic, but the Asian cup and finals series could change it. Gelekovic is consistent and improving his foot skills, while Jones is experienced. I think all 3 potentially give Ange something, in the unlikely (but possible) case of both 1 and 2 keepers buckling under the pressure.

I think Williams is no chance and should be removed, leaving 4 question marks in what is the hardest to pick. I do think that Lucas Neil has one foot on the plane, and will take some beating. Curtis Goode also looks to have booked his spot, with his last performance for Australia. Outside of this, i think it leaves Wilkshire, Sainsbury, North, Wilkinson, McGowan fighting for the position, with the likes of Ogenovski, Carney, Thwaite, Kisnorbo, Cornthwaite, Devere, Topor Stanley etc looking likely to miss out. There does appear to be a back up left back spot up for grabs. I think that Zullo or Brad Smith or perhaps even traore might just be an outside chance of taking this spot. Herd, Lowry and a couple of others could also force their way in, but i think they would require an upset. I think we will see Neil, Goode, wilkshire and Sainsbury take the last 4 spots.


I dont think Vidosic is guaranteed a spot, although he is a contender. I also think that Halloran is no more than a contender, albeit one who looks like he is taking giant strides and will clinch a spot. i also think that Rogic might have dropped from certainty to simply a leading contender. I think that leaves 4 spots open. I see troisi's best chance as a left midfield/winger. Luongo, you would think would be desperately close. While i dont personally agree with it, it is also very hard to see Matt Mackay missing a spot. Behind this, it leaves Holman, Bratten, Bozanic (who seems to have lost his momentum from earlier in the year), Mooye, Amini to fight over the remaining places. Personally, i think Troisi, Rogic, Halloran and Mackay will fill those four spots.


This is actually a really interesting position.

It certainly looks like we will See Cahill and Kennedy as certainties, with the third player being either Leckie or Troisi and perhaps the position going to another midfielder. Still, there are a lot of other options which seem to have been forgotten, but who i believe are probably about equal in ability. Taggart, Duke and Juric seem the obvious contenders. All young and all improving, but realistically all are not first class strikers at world cup level yet. Porta and McDonald are forgotten players, who might just be worth a gamble and capable of playing at the required level. Realistically, you would have to think that both would be golden boot contenders if they were playing in the a league. Babalj and Rukavystsa seem to have fallen off the radar, but if taking a gamble, each do have their advantages. I think that Ange will fill this position with an attacking midfielder. With the players i have chosen, i think that Holman might just get the nod.

Looking at Australia's squad, this really would be astonishing if Australia did well and qualified. Not only because of the strength of the opposition, but it is actually arguable that we will have done so with our three best players unavailable. Schwarzer, Kewell, Kruse are arguably the three best players we could provide right at this point in time, yet none of these will play in the world cup.

GK's
Ryan, Langerak, Galekovic

RB's
Franjic, Wilkshire

RCB's
Williams, Spiranovic

LCB's
Good, Sainsbury, Smith

LB's
Davidson, Mckay

RDM
Jedinak

LDM
Milligan

CM's
Rogic, Bresciano

RAM's
Troisi, Luongo

LAM's
Oar, Halloran

F's
Cahill, Kennedy, Juric

I'm not sold on what Troisi brings to the team. If we want someone who's a half decent dribbler that runs at defenders then they're a dime a dozen really.

Have you ever seen Troisi play?

Both injured