This is the idea of the warm-up games. Give those fringe players a chance to prove themselves and hit their straps.

The core of the team in Cahill, Kewell, Neill, Emerton, Schwarzer, Kennedy, Macca, Wilkshire and Grella are all playing regular football. It's just the support acts that need some more game time. Those other two players in the starting XI that are more or less interchangable that need more of a kick.

Maybe Sterj has lost it a bit, but before you write everyone off, remember that it's a bit about critical mass - if you play in a game where there are a heap of crap players, you won't look that good.. i reckon if you had Messi playing in the A-league, he'd struggle to make it - he is great, but he is getting service from Xavi and Iniesta - put him getting long balls from the back and he wouldn't look as good. All that I am saying is that the Roos will be a lot better when they get 11 high quality players on the field that can play a system and trust each other to play it well.. and keep their nerve not to boot the ball upfield - Guss did that, but not sure if Pim can do the same

I been saying it for months, we're seriously fucked. :lol:

I don't wanna say it, i want us to do really well, but when a lot of our good players are training and not playing, we're fucked. No other way of saying it, and to the people in denial who have a go at me for saying i'm anti-Australia etc etc, you'll be the first to turn around and cry boo-hoo if we get thumped.

I seriously pray to god every night to let us win the games, but when so many of our good players are training, not playing, are on the bench 24/7 or injured, you can't help but feel a dreaded sinking feeling in your stomach.

hes got no chance

Great last time around, but hasn't done enough.

If you wanted versatility you'd take Vidosic, not Sterjo.

Sterj did play well but has dropped off radically when he came back to Australia, his performances against Kuwait and Indonesia where dire and he hasn't really set the a-league alight recently. I think it was half way last year against Bahrain in Sydney where he had a cracking game on the right hand side but i don't know, i think he'd only get in because somebody's injured. Vidosic, Carle, Emerton, and Holman are all ahead of him really, if he does get in it's because of his versatility

That doesn't change that Sterjovski isn't up to it. He's lost a yard of pace and he really got into the team previously on the best form of his career, which has also passed.

As for Culina...really he's nothing more than a decent makeweight. Has never been much more than that. He'll be handy to have in the squad. But when you've got Grella, Cahill, Bresc, Valeri who can play in midfield...he's fairly interchangable.

Wish I new how to quote on this blog!

Jazzwazza: Simple theory I've noticed over the last 5 years:

Leave the A-league and you suddenly become International material.....overnight almost,
Come back to the A-league and you suddenly become no good because you don't make the sun shine out of your arse.

This happens all the time no matter who comes and goes. Perhaps...just perhaps....the HAL isn't so shite as everybody thinks. It might be different to other leagues instead.....maybe even have its own playing identity!

Yeh, I'd certainly give him a swerve. I personally think Cullina will be out of his depth now also.

Just no way. Please Pim. I was one of Sterj's biggest fans before he came home and always upped him. But his time has surely passed. We have an ageing squad and Sterj just doesn't have the chops that the likes of Cahill and Kewell still exhibit every week. Even Emerton will be a risk with his lack of match time this year. We have at least 2 older players (Bresh, Emo) for the R mid spot already so if Pim wants to take another I hope he's younger and faster than Sterj and plays in Europe or anywhere with more intensity and competition than the freakin HAL.

Aloisi and Viduka haven't played since, let alone played well since.

Sterjo played great games against the Netherlands and Argentina.

So was Aloisi and Viduka, are we including them this time too.

He was one of our best 4 years ago, lets see if itll be the same this year

Not true. HE's played soem great games. He was stellar against Argentian last year, he was key in our last world cup campaign and he values his place in the shirt. That said, if he's not playing he's not much chance. Though our stocks of tallent on the right are kind of inhibitive...after Emerton there isn't a lot other than Sterj, Garcia and if you want to throw Bresc over there.

His most recent performances for the NT were poor as was his last season in the A-League. Training in England simply doesn't cut it.
Thanks for the memories Sterj but you're now surplus to requirements.

I suppose being a Glory supporter, I hope he gets in. Yet saying that....I doubt he will get a game, bench at most, but even that would be tough considering the competition for midfield spots.

Going on this season's A League performances I'd say you're dreaming Mile, wake up son!!!!

Hmmmmmm, Good stuff. I hope he at least gets into the 27.

I'd say realistically he doesn't have what it takes anymore

No, he has got a good chance. Key member of last WC squad starting 3 out the 4 games we played. More experienced and probably better than Garcia or Holman at right midfield.

His big mistake was leaving Basel years ago when Basel wanted to keep him. Should of stayed there with Chippers.

no chance

He has been poor when he has been selected for the NT, and he has had more than his fair show of matches to "show himself". He should not play any more matches for the Socceroos-not in SA and we should be building the next WC squad during the Asia Cup.

He's done everything he can for a spot. With so many of the roo's sitting on the bench at their clubs he could get a look in.

i will be disapointed if he gets selected in the final squad

i will be disapointed if he gets selected in the final squad

If players that are only training and have no chance of getting any gametime before the WC are being considered seriously then we are in trouble.

I wouldnt be suprised.


What do you think about the FourFourTwo article Mile Optimistic On Roo Call?
MILE Sterjovski is convinced his World Cup prospects have been boosted by his training stint with English Premier League outfits Fulham and Blackburn Rovers.

Have your say.