Has McGowan ever had a good game at RB? Surprised he's actually been called up.

Agreed guys that Elrich is the clear RB option in the squad - though McGowan is more experienced at NT level, has been utilised there before too (To mixed results). He could still plump for Elrich, given the nature of the coming home fixture. Tajikistan away is another story though?

Ange has made it clear that Wilkinson is his preferred third-choice CB, behind Spira and Sains. He'd be fourth-choice I suspect, if Curtis Good was fit and seeing more senior football, but that isn't the case presently.

No way is Milligan playing anywhere but DM, especially now that Jedi is in-doubt!

Behich or Davidson at LB, whoever showing the form and fitness at club level recent times, that simple.

The bigger question/s are who will partner Milligan/fill Jedi's void? McKay has been the standard stop-gap and normally would, but with Luongo and Rogic back AND too that it's a home game against a weak opponent, we will be expected to try to over-come the parked bus. A Luongo deeper with Rogic in the hole, seems more possible than we previously may've presumed? Especially given how we missed Luongo's presence against Krygystan?

Or, safer, more balanced route - it's Luongo back to his role behind the striker and either the experienced McKay or the the less experienced Mooy in there?! Mooy's chances 'may' elevate as he's more effective than McKay, going forward?

Kruse-Leckie on the flanks seems quite likely and has been utilised before, but neither are natural left footers and with the recent form of Nathan Burns at J-League level, that surely impresses Ange. BUT Burns didn't quite deliver against Krygystan and with Kruse a key differential and Leckie pretty much un-droppable at present, I don't think we'll see Kruse not starting... less his fitness remains an issue? Oar can't be considered, with he being without a club so long.

I disagree with Leckie being undroppable. He was pretty quiet against Kyrgyzstan, and he's not as effective against defences that sit back and give him much less space. I think Burns or perhaps Oar could deserving of his spot

Good needs to remain injury free and play some first team football first.

Good won't ever play as a full back in an Ange team. No way. Maybe in a disciplined club side but our full backs are some of our most attacking players.

Rogic is definitely not capable of play as a false 9 if that's what you are trying to imply.

Surely Cahill will lead the line again? How many of you think that won't be the case? Especially facing Bangladesh in Perth - congested defences and set-pieces will bring Cahill and his talents into play more. We'll need a target in there.



That's the crux, a perennial dilemma for Good in recent times.

It will be .... for our NT, once Good secures some .... form at senior level. The most likely way Good can achieve that is via a .... loan move. If Good can, then it will be .... for him and .... for our NTs! :D



Good points angusozi, hadn't thought of that. He 'seems' an ever present in the side under Ange, especially with his club form too. He still had his 'moments' against Krygystan, like that run bypassing the defender - but his effectiveness in those sorts of tactical encounters is still mixed, yes.

Oar was good in his cameo, last match, but his being without a club so long still counts against him. Infact his selection is an exception, likely due to that good recent NT form. James Troisi not soo lucky, his last performance against Krygystan was below-par and he too without a club for a while now, so a spell away from the NT for him. Burns is the one who is really pushing well to retain his place in the team - can't do much better than his recent form in a league as strong as the J-League. Provides a good dilemma for Ange, especially if Kruse is fit enough to be seriously considered for a start.

Edited by GloryPerth: 27/8/2015 11:45:51 PM

I would love for Ange to add a different tactical outlook instead on relying on 4-3-3 all the time as a moment when if he has to chase a game, i.e Plan B or C.
Eventually teams will work us out so we need to continue to evolve slowly.

Someone put out 3-1-3-3 system which is a system i like given it relies on narrow wing backs or wide central midfielders to do the box to box work.

Its a paradox aggressive formation which converts from the 4-2-1-3 or even from our prefered 4-1-2-3. It's a system that helps control the game whilst helps push more players forward but the negatives are at the back, Adelaide United has used his formation with mixed success.

Ideally should be used against inferior opposition though.

And we could also play Rogic is his natural No.10 position rather than relying him to play as one of the duel No.10s which i don't it gets the best out of him.


------------------------Ryan-------------------------

-------------------Spiranovic/Wright-------------------

Sainsbury------------------------------------Davidson------------

-----------------------Milligan--------------------------

Luongo------------------------------------------McKay-------

---------------------------Rogic---------------------------------

Kruse/Burns---------------------------------------------Leckie/Oar----

-----------------------------Cahill/Juric-------------------------

Edited by Barca4life: 28/8/2015 01:43:24 AM

Barca, I may not be remembering correctly, but was it Ange or perhaps, probably, Holger who tried a 'Back three' once? I think it must've been Holger and it didn't work out, so he quickly changed back. IIRC he did so as much due to a personnel dilemma, than tactical.

Luongo in the line up naturally changes the team, given the skillsets he brings in that final third space. A Luongo and Rogic on the park together, may revolutionise us further, provided the suitable match conditions - facing Bangladesh here is certainly that!

When we're with the ball, this is how we 'could' look, facing the Bangladeshi bus:

Ryan
Wilks Milligan Spira
Elrich Rogic Luongo Davidson
Leckie Cahill Kruse

Formation when in our half, defending:

Ryan
Elrich Wilks Spira Davidson
Milligan Luongo
Leckie Rogic Kruse
Cahill

Depending on how far into their half or into transition, we're in? If they counter, Elrich and Davo should already be hovering around halfway, ready to track back for support. IF Luongo is partnering Milligan, he will have a hefty workload too. Losing Jedi's defensive muscle will still be more of a blow than some may realise. We may end up with 70% possession plus, but it's also about how we handle those 10-20% of chances our opponents create, via the break - Bangladesh won't go without a chance on goal, less we put in a stellar of a pressing performance and blow them away with a goal blitz first-half.

Edited by GloryPerth: 28/8/2015 05:53:25 AM

Anyone know how ticket sales for Perth are going? Embarrassing if it doesn't sell out NIB, capacity of only 20k

Tickets for the match are selling fast with more than 17,000 seats already sold.

Read more at http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/article/wa-encouraged-to-turnperthgold/1fyyxn4h5j8p21fo67chjrs0js#o4WhHlL6jRdUKVXE.99

Pala will be happy with Ikon getting a reprieve.

-Luke Brattan tries to ditch Brisbane for free
-Melbourne Victory need new Australian DM
- Ange being a keen Victory product recognizes this and offers him a chance of getting his first cap to show what it's like when you play for Australia's best club

#WelcomeLuke

Edited by jlm8695: 28/8/2015 01:11:46 PM

Look at all those beautiful triangles:shock:

Why were Kruse and Juric selected in the first place?

Surprised Rogic wasn't given the same consideration.

Good news.

Not to mention diamonds.:)

Jack Irvine with Luke Brattan will cover DM for Mile Jedinak.

Edited by soccerfoo: 28/8/2015 04:13:10 PM

I'm not sure if Holland is injured or not?

Anyway good to see Luke Brattan get his chance. He has better distribution than almost any player in a similar position.

I'm not sure of his ball winning capabilities, ball carrying, speed over the turf, reading of the game and ability to hold position though.

The DM partner to Milligan won't be Brattan or Irvine, but surely McKay or perhaps even Mooy? Luongo (Partnering Milligan) and Rogic starting the game together is less likely, but still a chance given we're the hosts and hosting a team the level of Bangladesh. Otherwise Luongo back in his usual key position in 'the hole' behind Cahill. For our screeners/DM combo against Tajikistan, in Tajikistan, it will surely be Milligan-McKay?

IF Ange promotes Irvine above McKay and Mooy, then that would show how much he rates the Olyroo! :o :cool: That's an outside possibility, as he was a direct call-up and not a late replacement like Brattan is.



It's not a reprieve, as he didn't put a foot wrong in his debut - infact he impressed in his cameo! :) It was more he's naturally down the pecking order still, due to his lack of senior football and so many key senior players above him, like Kruse - no winger in our talent pool ranks above Kruse, when he's fit and firing.

They not perfect. :D

----------------------------Ryan

Elrich---------Wilkinson----------Spiranovic-------Behich

----------------------------Milligan---------------------

---------------Luongo-------------------Rogic-------------

Burns-------------------Cahill---------------------Leckie

You have missed the Ikon.

im stoked that kruse and juric have had the sense to stay at club and work on moving up the roster. smart moves. i would have liked a few more to do it as well - particularly rogic anyway.


AND it means there have been some great inclusions. the IKON ! halloran (who i think is a good shot to overtake kruse) and brattan. i couldnt be happier with the extra 3.


Edited by inala brah: 29/8/2015 12:07:07 PM

with the overdue rise in o/s representation and the progress of the NT structure under ange im going to make a couple predictions.

1. NT through the group stage in Russia.
-possible official dark horse status (not just in the local media wank fest)

2. Ange to step down and Muscat to take over in 2019.
-Having seen how muscat has consolidated ange ball in MelbV, I am feeling good about him taking the NT. I really want someone who can keep us on the same trajectory, and I dont think I will be alone in that.

im taking bets on these....

Please don't jinx us. I'll be happy just to qualify. Qualification remains difficult and is probably getting more and more difficult with the improvement in nations like UAE, Jordan, Oman, Iraq that always represent banana skins for our team. These teams know how to play against us by maintaining great defensive structure and launching effective counter attacks.

no jinx. jinxes are for teams that shouldnt be were they are. i cant see us pulling a group like last time. if we get an average group, we have should have the capacity to pull through it.

you would think that the dark horse means they are a chance for the trophy. i dont really see that. I do see us as a real threat to any team on the day.

Is there any news on where the Kyrgyzstan, Jordan and Tajikistan home games are due to be played? The former fixture is only 2 and a half months away, it seems like these things are usually announced earlier than this.

No news that - I assume the FFA is trying to negotiate the richest deal they can possibly get from a venue. Would imagine it'll be announced/sorted pretty quickly after this initial round of WCQ?

So not sure if already mentioned but couldn't see anything but Jedinak, Kruse and Juric have been ruled out with injury and instead have been replaced by Brattan, Ikonomidis and Ben Halloran