He's not talking about the football. He's talking about the drinking they're going to do after the final group game.

What happened that time Paul Wade went to the World Cup? Oh, wait a sec...

You guys are right, who say that Wadey is known to exaggerate. I wondered for a little while, why he wasn't still a pundit around the traps for Fox or even SBS (As he was for SBS, NSL days). He certainly has the experience and pedigree - but this article reminds why. Always tended towards the negative IIRC and to be fair the younger brigade coming through offer more than most before, with all their experience of playing in Europe, as too in the A-League. Unfortunately the negative Paul Wades, Rale Rasics and co have kind of been left behind.

Sure he's 'not wrong' in a sense and we all recognise the challenge they face. Perhaps Wadey knows unconsciously that reminding these boys of the challenge they face may help them in their resolve to perform at their best?

In some ways, with all the gentle touch, diplomacy we've heard from those within football, we also needed to hear a degree of 'cruel to be kind' and the odd warning of the risks that await are certainly not a bad thing. But former Socceroo Captain Wadey and co are certainly amongst the first in line in their support for these boys and the NT too, most certainly.





=d>

Yeap, a blank page awaits for a new chapter to be written, with new heroes, Weatbix-box heroes and 'names' to become synonymous with our new generations struggle forward. WC 2014 is just the start of the journey in writing the next narrative.

BTW We are all prepared for the 'Band-wagon Syndrome' - we've been there, done that (WC 06 etc). People will quickly hop on-board and off, perhaps, but the football fans will still be there in numbers and ever more enthused, no matter what, given the over-due regeneration that is occurring and the excitement post-WC entering into our Asian Cup hosting. It's an added benefit that we'll be able to move on quickly, no matter how things turn out in Brazil. The boys will be better for the experience and I still feel, like many of you, that we can still defy the more miserable of expectations. If expectations are soo low then technically we have 'nothing to lose' (As c3024446 said, expectations were greater for previous 'peaked' gens) and, once the tourney begins, anything can happen ofcourse.

Edited by gloryperth: 16/5/2014 01:26:55 AM

Losing 1 nil is not gritty trying to win by attacking is gritty.

Oddly enough he was captain of a side that had semi professional players and they handled themselves quite well IMO, that said there is always a chance our guys will do better then everyone expects

possibly the most positive post i have ever seen on this forum.

Lets hope so. The possibility of getting smashed in all 3 games is there...and, it could be very demoralising. Man management will be so vital if we do get smashed...

He's right. We don't want to admit the truth, but we will. While we believe it'll be good character building, and preperation for the majority of this squad for the Asian Cup and future WCs, it won't do the national team any good in the eyes of the world, or more importantly the local media who will flog our floggings for all they're worth.

It will damage our reputation in the eyes of the general public, most importantly.

Wadey notoriously likes to exaggerate. But the reality is we will still likely lose all the matches comfortably. It would be wonderful if we could nab a draw, but I just think our opposition will be too strong.

I honestly think our best chance will be against Holland. Which kind of says it all really. Chile are underrated and I back them to make the second round.

Paul Wade has been irrelevant for a number of years.

Paul Wade, a bloke who never played in a WC or never played in Europe.

Well, we all know it in the back of our logical minds, but is there really a need to say it. Typical Wadey beat up. Lets just enjoy what comes our way and hope for the best. Unfortunately we got the crappiest draw imaginable, but that the way it goes.

I think conceding less that 10 goals will be an effort here. The top 2 from '10 WC and the best South American team after Argies/Brazil.

A draw would be an amazing result, as would 2-3 goals scored.

Personally, I'd rather us lose a gritty 1-0 than lose 4-1 playing "attacking" football.

This WC we have absolutely nothing to lose, and I'm excited for this. 2010 we went in with high hopes after 2006 and were pretty unlucky in the 3 games (Cahill and Kewell red cards anyone?) and still nearly got through the the Rd16. Anything can happen.

I want to see new stars. I want to see our young kids getting a go and running their heart out for 90min hoping that they catch the eye of some good Euro clubs. Hopefully, some of the kids have blinders, turn themselves into the next Kewell or Viduka, and come January next year at the Asian Cup when Kruse and Williams are back we will have a team that everyone is excited about.

Yeap! If our boys needed any extra motivation to fire them up, then it should be this - Ange should read out some select quotes in match lead-up!

When we're under-dogs, under the thumb, underestimated - it's all the better environment for our boys to thrive, just as it is for most Australian sporting teams!

"Look they don't rate us... They don't think we belong... We're not given a chance... They disrespect us... Their arrogance disregards our competitive spirit..."

We appreciate it when it's coming from outside, externally, but a so-called 'internal' gee up like this will hopefully add incentive to the 110% effort we need to give it all we have. If that's not enough, then so be it, but this side and this bunch of boys can't be having regrets or worse - it's a fantastic stage, opportunity and it's all there for the taking. The bigger the stage, as our opponents 'may' be, the bigger the opportunity and exposure. We belong, we've earned the right, a long and arduous process - alot of blood, sweat, hurt and even casualties on the way (Holger, Neill, Holman etc).

Australia is not a nation to just make up the numbers and again, under-estimate us at your peril. No matter what, we'll be competitive, no matter who it is - because we're Australia and that's our tradition and even record. We have alot of aspirational, ambitious boys who've come off the back of some strong consistent form in some decent, developmental leagues of the world. Not unlike earlier Socceroos generations, this is an opportunity to create 'new names', new heroes, for those who seek to and do, 'step up' and seize the day - show their stuff against our 'fancied' opponents. This is a tournament scenario in South American conditions - a fairly equalising scenario as we've both benefited (WC 06 etc) and suffered from (AC 07 etc), in past tournaments!

Thanks Wadey.

That's the spirit.

It ain't going to be pretty, but I reckon there's a point to be had against the Netherlands.

Probably, but we can go there and actually give it a shot.

I'd rather us go for it than park the bus.

Edited by iridium1010: 13/5/2014 07:08:27 PM

Thanks Paul

Socceroos will 'get absolutely smashed' at World Cup, says Paul Wade

theguardian.com, Tuesday 13 May 2014 13.08 AEST   

Ange Postecoglou Ange Postecoglou is likely to look at younger players before the World Cup. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP Image


As Ange Postecoglou prepares to name his preliminary squad for next month’s World Cup, the former Socceroos captain Paul Wade has delivered some heartening news for Australia’s opponents in Brazil.

"We are going to get absolutely smashed," Wade said on Tuesday. “It's a massive step up for them, it really is,” he added of a squad that is likely to include players with limited international experience, such as Adam Taggart, Osama Malik, Luke Brattan and James Troisi.

The Socceroos face Spain, Holland and Chile in arguably the hardest group at the World Cup, and Wade says Australia’s team spirit will help them. Up to a point.

"As a footballer, we talk about the green and gold,” said Wade. “As a footballer, you have pride in yourself and your performance and helping your mates out. That all comes into play. But right now, without doubt, we're going to get hammered."

Tim Cahill, Josh Kennedy, Mark Bresciano, Matt McKay and Eugene Galekovic are likely to be the oldest members of the squad with most pundits tipping Postecoglou to go with players who will feature in the 2018 World Cup campaign.

Wade, however, sees the lack of expectation as an advantage for Postecoglou. "There's no pressure on him because we're not expected to get out of the group," he said. "A lot of people are saying we won't even score a goal or get a point."

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/13/socceroos-world-cup-2014-brazil