Yes I agree with most of what you said. But what's your point..do you think they should be picking all these central midfielders and play them on the wing, or pick actual wing players?

I think they should pick players that are used to playing in that position, or have experience on the wing like Oar and Leckie. But if you say Leckie will be used as a striker for Australia, then you're saying everyone is only picking one winger..

So yes, it's ridiculous to have a team full of central midfielders, no matter if they are our best players. What they're thinking of playing Vidosic, Bozanic, mooy, holland, Milligan, Jedinak, bresciano, Brattan, Troisi, Rogic, Luongo, McKay, or sarota on the wing hahaha? I'm sorry but I don't really think any of these players should be on the wing at all, even if these players have had experience there.. Maybe troisi like you said, but he's better as an attacking midfielder not on the wing.

Opinions, opinions....

Actually 'they', as in 'Ange', may well be - given Ange trialled Vidosic on the LW against CR, as too Bozanic via sub that same game, iirc. McKay has been utilised there before, albeit under Holger and thankfully we can't see Ange utilising him there. Troisi could be an option too - especially again, given how we line up.

Though Just because he played some of those boys there in friendlies may not mean much, but Ange only had a short period to prepare and so who he selected and how he lined up some of those boys in the past two friendlies should well be 'instructive' of how he seeks to play and who he sees fitting those roles/how he will manage it.

Yeah - we don't have the best stocks at present, but again that's even reflected in Ange's selections, thus far. Hopefully Halloran can sustain his good run as our squad has already suffered enough blows from the loss of Rhys Williams and Kruse.

BTW Leckie started upfront against CR in a line up designed to spring their high line/offside trap, but against Ecuador Cahill returned upfront and IIRC Leckie shifted to RW? And given the Leckie example - that is how Troisi could be utilised too (Wide or upfront), depending on our tactical demands at the time.

So again it depends on how Ange chooses to line up, for each particular fixture and again, that variable could mean that the likes of Vidosic could still be employed out there.

Agreed - though again, even your squad still shows the uncertainties over those final half dozen possies. Let's hope the challengers continue to push on. Unfortunately, as you guys discuss, Ruka may've dropped from the race, given lack of football - I'm not up with the latest Aussies Abroad updates, but if you guys are right, Bozanic and Vidosic could be 'in trouble' too, if they haven't seen football for a while? That would be alarming if that were the case as the absence of those three diminishes our stocks on the flank significantly. Vidosic and, to a lesser degree, Ruka, bring valuable NT experience too!

Sarota could well bolt to be the third-choice/back-up DM. With injury or suspension (All the more possible in regards to DM) we may well need to call upon the reserve DM. During the match too, when we're under the pump (Will be expected ofc), we may also seek to tactically re-inforce/pack the midfield or what not, especially late in the game. It's between Holland and he for that possie - I guess we'll see who gets the call!

Edited by GloryPerth: 24/4/2014 05:01:08 PM

Ruka shouldn't be anywhere near the team. He's struggling for game time in B.2

Haha "they" as in other people on this forum posting their 23-man squad , but sure we'll go with Ange.and yes, thank goodnes McKay isn't being played on the wing, was such an eyesore..

Mind you it's hard to avoid uncertainties in positions..

Obviously I'm making assumptions about players returning from injury here. A good squad has 3 goalies, 2 left backs, 2 right backs, 4 centrebacks, 4 defensive/central mids, 2 play makers and 6 forwards as well as having tactical flexibility. My squad is

3 goal keepers: ryan langerak galekovic

2 left backs: davidson, zullo
4 centre backs: spira, sainsbury, good, neill, malik
one to be omitted: probably malik
2 right backs: franjic, wilkshire

4 defensive/central mids: brattan, mckay, milligan, jedinak, sarota, holland, bozanic, luongo
four: to be omitted, I would omit mckay luongo milligan and holland
2 attacking mids: rogic bresciano

6 forwards: cahill leckie oar halloran taggart troisi giannou kennedy
two to be omitted: I would lose kennedy and I have no idea who else!

May as well put it here instead of a new thread but who do people see as going from the ALeague?

On The Plane
Ivan Franjić
Mark Milligan
Matthew Špiranović

Pushing
Eugene Galeković
Matt McKay
Tom Rogić
James Troisi
Mark Birighitti
Adam Taggart
Tomi Jurić
Saša Ognenovski


Longshots
Osama Malik
Michael Zullo
Jade North
Matt Smith
Aziz Behich
Aaron Mooy
David Williams
Archie Thompson
David Carney
Ruben Zadkovich
Michael Thwaite
Danny Vukovic
Terry Antonis
Nick Carle
Michael Beauchamp
Nikolai Topor-Stanley


Did I miss anyone obvious from first two categories?

Post was good until I saw Behich. Couldn't nail down a spot in the worst team in the league+ is incredibly shit.

Mckay+Troisi are certainties for the squad. Taggart should be there and you can't rule out Zullo who is a quality player.

5 international caps and an overseas contract - how'd he get that if he was "incredibly shit"?

Anyway, that's why I listed that section "longshots". I personally wouldn't let near half of them anywhere close to the 30-man prelim squad but that doesn't mean they don't have a chance. There's not a lot of depth at left back (though I think right is worse).

lol MrMC.

FTR It's an 'interesting game' (Or 'was' - only a couple weeks till the prelim squad!) - just trying to deduce who the certainties for Ange are and who are the 'leading challengers' for the 'remaining positions of need' within the squad.

IMHO There are more certainties than many recognise and that settles around 15-16 members of the squad. That's both logical and pleasing, at this very late stage. Any more uncertainty there would be of great concern. So the final 7 places or so of the squad - all back up, depth, possies are still variables, 'up for grabs' though some planets 'may' be starting to align with the likes of Halloran and perhaps 1-2 others - but the important 'prerequisite' remains of semi-regular first team atleast.

With so many boys 'just returning from injury' or being rotated in-and-out of teams or what not, it really makes things quite uncertain for Ange, let alone us - People are very keen to list Sainsbury (Just returned from injury, wasn't in Zwolle's recent cup team that defeated Ajax, 5-1), Good (Just returned from injury, re-loaned to Dundee Utd for final couple games) and some others, but in the end they have the same pre-requisite as Neill (Who's injured, but chance to return for final two games)and others do of that semi-regular first team.

The players in the teams of Melbourne Victory, Central Coast Mariners, West Sydney Wanderers and Roar have much more of a chance that those who were in A-League teams that didn't make the finals or haven't been in the ACL (Like Taggart, Thwaite, Behich, D.Williams, Carney and others). For Wanderers they are still participating in both that's great for our leading, on-the-plane, CB option in Spiranovic!

Heck, considering that and the uncertainty over some Euro-based boys - the likes of Beauchamp and/or NTS, who both have a degree of NT experience, could well bolt back into the squad. Especially if, forbid, injuries and/or lack of first team continues for some of those Euro boys. The fact one or both of them have partnered Spira in the same Wanderers team, playing under Poppa and are 'known commodities' to Ange, could work in their favour - aswell as the constant first team they still see via the two competitions?

Edited by GloryPerth: 25/4/2014 04:56:52 PM

A good agent.

A good agent doesn't get you interest from Netherlands, Germany and Turkey, nor does it "win" you a spot in the National Team

Did his good agent also get him his bench spot in the worst team in the A-League?

Edited by jlm8695: 25/4/2014 09:24:53 PM

No no, I agree I think there a more certainties than uncertainties. There is just a lot of players competing for those remaining spots.

Yeah haha obviously players in those teams have a better chance because they're playing well :p Im interested to see how spira, Juric, Brattan, McKay, Franjic, Troisi, Milligan, and all the young guys play. I've never been a big fan of thwaite or carney honestly I'd mention them in the same breath as Cornthwaite, and Neil.. Also Taggart should at least make the 30 man team, if he isn't taken something is wrong..

I hope Ange would pick Brattan over McKay.
Zullo over carney and behich.

24 appearances and his loan contract say otherwise. But believe what you wish, just don't expect people to rate your opinion on players when you don't even think Oar should be part of your best 23 players

It sure as hell does.

Hmm yeah, Brattan could still be a good chance you'd think - if it's Sarota and Brattan as the two back up CMs/DMs - that would probably mean no McKay too.

Oh yeah, Zullo would have to still be in the running - though again, not up with his overseas form though. Surely the likes of Brattan, Troisi and Taggart will be making that initial 30-man squad. It's only like a couple weeks away now. I have a feeling once that squad announced the snowball will roll quick from there to the final 23 and the WC send-off game etc...! :cool:

You can clearly see him in my starting line up :lol:

24 appearances with heaps off the bench in the A-League+ a loan contract to the league's worst club after flopping massively in Turkey. Great player :lol:



Edited by jlm8695: 27/4/2014 05:15:52 AM

Plus the 65 appearances before with Heart, plus the Socceroos and Olyroos appearances. Keep trying. :lol:



Promotes a player to those country maybe but the interest has to come from the clubs themselves.

I think you'll find McKay is basically a lock for the 23. I would love to see Bratts in over him, but McKay is far more flexible in terms of positioning and is an old Ange favourite. Brattan is really only capable of playing as a 6/8, and as you have mentioned, we have truckloads of guys vying for that position on the pitch. I would probably even think Antonis/Mooy, with the ability to play further up the park as a 10 and take FK, has more of a shot of making the squad that Brattan.

McKay also has experience. You can't take an entire squad of rookies with no experience.

I believe with Wilkshire, Ognenovski, Cahill, Jedinak, Milligan and Bresciano, we are well served with experience. In saying that though I'm not of the opinion that Brattan is in our best 23 ATM, nor is McKay. If it came down to the two, I probably would go for Matty though.

Hopefully Sainsbury and Good can come into camp and get some fitness back and play in our friendlies against South Africa and Croatia (and someone else?) It is not unusual for Australian World Cup starting teams to possess players whom have had injury concerns or match fitness concerns coming into the WC: Kewell '06, Kalac '06, Bresc '10, Kewell '10, Moore '10, Schwarzer '10, Emerton '10. I'm probably forgetting a few more too. For 2014, ATM, of our starting XI we only really have Sainsbury/Good coming in off the back of limited football. (Touch wood). Rogic is the other obvious one, though probably not a starting XI player.

Just wish Kruse and Williams were fit and firing... :(

If collating the teams posted on here (17), the collective FFT 23-man squad would be:

Goalkeepers
Ryan (17)
Langerak (17)
Galekovic (7)

Defenders
Spiranovic (17)
Franjic (16)
Davidson (16)
Sainsbury (14)
Good (14)
Wilkshire (13)
McGowan (9)
Zullo (9)

Midfielders
Jedinak (17)
Milligan (16)
Sarota (12)
Rogic (16)
Oar (16)
Triosi (14)
Bresciano (12)
Halloran (11)
Vidiosic (10)

Forwards
Cahill (16)
Leckie (15)
Kennedy (14)

There's not a lot of wingers and it's a very inexperienced backline. Taggart was on same # teams as Vidiosic who was chosen instead because he can play wide. McKay was also in as many teams as Zullo so that one would be interchangeable.

If selection a 30 man squad the extras would be:
Taggart (10)
McKay (9)
Holland (7)
Williams (5)
Brattan (5)
Vukovic/Jones (4)
Juric (4)

If that's the 'consensus' so far - then that's both a pretty good squad but also one that's 'almost realistic', if still a little optimistic with both Good and Sainsbury included at CB with no sign of Neill, The Og, Wilkinson or any other experience in on that CB rotation (Which IS still possible under Ange, especially given the present club scenarios?) and the only experienced soul back there being Wilkshire (He's somehow in people's equations?)?! McKay and his tactical flexibility, experience and strong familiarity with Ange and his methods (plus vice versa) also 'just' absent.

But I can't believe that such a squad, such a degree of change, such a youth revolution to the degree of perhaps 'over-kill' - can't believe that such a squad could be selected, till I see it, really - doubt I'm only one either, after following the following the Socceroos all these years! :o

Edited by GloryPerth: 28/4/2014 11:10:47 PM

According to the recent Aussies Abroad thread, only Socceroo hopefuls Jedda, Holland, Oar, Sarota, Ryan, Vidosic, Davidson, Babalj, were starters in decent overseas leagues. One can add Wilkinson and Devere in Korea too.

I'm not sure if I've missed anyone, but English League One and Bundesliga 2 are not quality leagues.

I think Kennedy and Cahill were benched, but I'm not sure if it was due to injury?

If Jacob Burns isn't playing in Korea, he needs to return to the HAL pronto.

Babalj scored in the Eredivisie. He looked an excellent prospect in the HAL.





Edited by Decentric: 29/4/2014 07:01:34 PM

Babalj is playing for AZ reserves. He hasn't even got a glance at the first team from across the training pitch.

You and I see eye to eye on quite a few things but there's no way I can agree Bundesliga 2 isn't a quality league. I would argue that it's around the level of the mid-to-lower Eredivisie.

The best B2 teams are barely comparable to mid-table Eredivisie.

I haven't seen the Eredivisie or B2 recently, so I cannot make comparisons. I don't have Setanta. I'm told there are three distinct tiers in the Eredivisie, but B2 may be a more equal league, I don't know.

Not lately, but not so long ago, the best Eredivisie teams were successful in European comps. I think when Jason Culina played for PSV ( or did he play for Ajax?) they were ranked 10th in the world in club football. Ajax, PSV and Feyenoorde have had a modicum of success in Europe.

The only measure I have for the German second division is Paul Agostino comparing the HAL and B2 when he returned to play for Adelaide.





Edited by Decentric: 3/5/2014 06:15:50 PM

Rookies struggle to organise others. They are still learning their own game and find it difficult to organise others around them, because they are having to think so hard about what they need to do within the game plan/s. Reading the game is often an issue for them.

Experienced players often know their own games well enough they can organise others around them. It is of fundamental importance to have coaches on the pitch. Usually as players mature, their reading of the game improves immeasurably.

The only problem is for a player like Neill, when his body struggles to do what he wants it to. He can help younger, inexperienced players play better around him, by his experience and organisational ability, helping to position them. Unfortunately, Neill's own game is declining though, with advancing age, apart from reading the play. He would be well aware of it too.





Edited by Decentric: 3/5/2014 06:29:54 PM

Edited by Decentric: 3/5/2014 06:31:27 PM