The last time we played UAE Degenek lost the ball that led to the goal that cost us the game.

I've run the lists and while having Atkinson and Davidson as wing backs looks interesting, it just can't be justified to play 3 centre backs.

It's some extra cover but our midfield and creative types higher up need to be on the pitch. 

I agree that it would be better to play them as wingbacks but yes, we need our best midfielders on the pitch and three Centre backs can't be justified, we will just need our 6 to cover on occasions. 

I just hope Arnold finally gets that if Dougall or even Stensness or a rag doll sits behind Hrustic and Irvine, they'll be much less panicky. I can't see Irvine starting though if we want to fit Taggart, Boyle, McGree, Rogic and Hrustic in. 

Shanghai’s last game was Jan 9. So fairly confident it was our last qualifier. Bloke would’ve been holed up in an apartment somewhere since.

Might as well pick Bresciano of we are playing mooy

I think Piscopo stakes a good claim. He's in the gap now of not being eligible for Olyroos but the Roos are still just that little better. I beg to differ though when I see Leckie is surely done by the end of this year and Mabil isn't exactly reliable. 

After the squad announcement and the Grand Final where our main Socceroo striker was MIA we might want to start looking for that new manager now. JMac will have the UAE quaking in their boots again 

Well with an uninspiring squad selected, our xi to take on UAE?

‐----------------------Ryan-----------------------
Atkinson---Degenek--Sainsbury--Davidson
------‐------------------Dougall-----------------
-----------------Hrustic------Rogic----------
Boyle---------------Taggart--------McGree

Vukovic, Wright, King, Karacic, Genreau, Mooy, Irvine, Goodwin, Mabil, Tilio, Maclaren, Leckie

Left out- Redmayne, Rowles, Behich, Stensness, Duke, D'Agostino

Wright over Degenek is a worthy call too with the form the former is in, whilst so too having Goodwin in over McGree on the left.

We have to play a natural 6, hence why Dougall is the man to call upon.

I think that the 23 man squad is required by FIFA to have 3 keepers.

Has Arnie checked JMAC missus’calendar or seen if he can be bothered travelling this time? 

Yes, we are going to need a miracle for us to qualify.

That's correct.

Taggart should start. has scored a couple in Japan recently and probably our best chance 

Yes should start... but we all know Duke will be Arnold's saviour. 

1:1 draw for UAE vs Gambia. 

https://youtu.be/M1Q0dsEEegk

Rogic out is a massive loss but Taggarts return from injury and recent form is a positive.

Now that Rogic is out I think we should go with something like this  

                                                  RYAN
       ATKINSON         SAINSBURY     ROWLES          DAVIDSON
                                DOUGALL        IRVINE
                 HRUSTIC                                      MCGREE                                                         
                               BOYLE             TAGGART

If Duke starts they all may as well have their bags pre packed & a car waiting outside the stadium to whisk them to the airport immediately. 

hes been in Scotland most the time since then, not sure why he couldnt just go down to Celtic and train for a few weeks considering Ange is a god there now.

just no actual desire to win these games.

Well they got married. Better make sure that a baby shower isn't coming up that he has to go to Costco to stock up for.  

Didnt he also pull out cause he didnt want to quarantine or something? 

JMac is MIA both on and off the field. I have stuck with Arnie but you can’t have a guy who just stands there waiting for someone to give him the ball

No bad, but I'd swap Rowles for Wright

Just noticed the intercontinental game is Monday the 13th. Could've sworn it was the 14th local time. 

Aircon systems have pitch at 19 degrees instead of 37 so that will be much more comfortable.

Ranked 122 in the world, between Vanuatu and Ethiopia.

Peru's warm up match a week out from the intercontinental playoff will be against New Zealand. That means they think we will win this one! :)

For what it's worth my starting XI (with ages in brackets to start thinking post this woeful campaign). Would be interested in others thoughts

Keeper
Ryan (30)

Defenders
Nathaniel Atkinson (23) vs Fran Karacic (26) – Right Back
Trent Sainsbury (30) vs Milos Degenek (28) vs Bailey Wright (29) – Centre Backs
Joel King (21) vs Aziz Behich (31) – Left Back

Midfielders
Kenny Dougall (29) – Defensive / Holding Midfielder or Riley McGree (if you want to go all out attack (23)
Jackson Irvine (29)
Aaron Mooy (31)
Ajdin Hrustic (25)

Forwards – Take your pick :)
Awer Mabil (26) – signed for a LaLiga side so they must see something in him
Jamie Maclaren (28) – better than Duke/Taggart
Martin Boyle (29) – is scoring goals in the Saudi League

NZ will beat Peru and then the spanner is the the works :D