When we played Uruguay in 05, Guus gave Arnie a few sheets of paper outlining different game plans.

He was quite prepared to do things differently to adapt to the situation.

The biggest issue for me is the lack of flexibility to adapt to the pre-game table situation and then the in match gameplay. Every team must have different plans and different gears to switch to depending on circumstances. Italy, Argentina, Brazil, etc all have that flexibility. I've seen all of the big teams play for a point when necessary. Why does Ange think we are above that? If it's good enough for world champions, why not us? Even if we just play defensive for a period when we're 1-0 up away from home? Like Van Gaal said when we were 2-1 up at the World Cup, he knew that we would still attack and he'd have chances to level and win.

I agree - thought Bailey W(right) was better than Bailey we normally see on the left. He also played the same role when he came on against Chile and seemed better on the right.  

I'm not sure, but it got silly and un-pragmatic at times. Ryan's own experience may inform his approach to persevere. Ryan in some ways DOES seem down on confidence and wasn't even as bold or aggressive as he's been in the past - very weak commanding his box generally, he's been stronger and more commanding in the past, even if that isn't his strongest area. Not that he's the best choice, but somebody like Vukovic would be more no nonsense, leading from the back and suitably strong in his area and not afraid to take a few out in the process. This is one area where against Panama/USA he may be vulnerable to challenges by big, physical #9's and Centre-backs in the box in packed areas, corner situations and even swift counters and hard presses. A well over six foot and rather athletic striker running at you from North America could cause Ryan further errors in Ball Possession.

What we're seeing with Ryan is that Ange backs players to a fault. When your form is in constant decline like Ryan's then after being left out there to rot so long that support is starting to hurt you. He seriously needs time away to find form.

I was yelling at the TV like a madman when he was playing it to our defensive corner post from goal kicks or clear possession to a player with an opponent 5 yards away and closing fast.

I don't even care if that's Ange's instructions. Has the kid got no balls or brains? You have to use your smarts and realise you might cost us a goal at a crucial time in the game and go a bit longer to one of the wings at about the half way line. Our players were on average a foot taller than their direct opponents last night for crying out loud.

Deal with Ange telling you off after the game. If that's all that's keeping him from dropping you then you need to improve anyway.

I really feel like he is down on confidence too and it wouldn't surprise me if Ange's brainwashing has played a big part in that

Yeah, I think I agree. Ryan starting to be a bit of a liability. AFC teams anyway, are onto him - they just press high, front third area and force him into errors. At the Asian Cup he shone and thrived as he had the time and space but teams have learned. His playing style MAY have a better chance to thrive against Syria and CONCACAF teams but Langerak seeing minutes in Spain can't come soon enough!

and last night also confirmed, even though he wasn't that busy the times he was thats it for me - Ryan out !
FFS his distribution sucks, he's stuttering even to line up the ball which am I going to go left or right, then that quick goal kick straight to the Thai just past the box was feckin U6 stuff.

That is a BIG fault of Ange's.

There's Plan A and Plan B, where Plan B is to try Plan A again.

How hard can it be to have two formations, an attacking one to score goals and then a defensive one to defend those leads from those goals?????

Ange couldn't have done anything more last night - he put a team on the park that dominated every facet of the game with an unbelievable number of shots. He did his job as a coach.

The inability to put the ball in the net rests with the players. On another night that could have been a 6-0 win.

On the other hand Ange is at fault for a leaky system and not having a team structure in place that could prioritise defending when 1-0 up away from home and 10 to go.

We shouldn't have a national venue, or country is too big for that. Everyone deserves the opportunity to see Australia play. Have a look at the crowds for this stage of qualifying

1. vs Japan in Melbourne (48K)
2. vs Saudi Arabia in Adelaide (30K)
3. vs UAE in Sydney (27K)
4. vs Thailand in Melbourne (26K)
5. vs Iraq in Perth (19K)

Obviously Japan is always going to get the biggest crowds, but its a fairly even split considering their population's. Sydney do not deserve to have the majority of Australia games and if anyone does it is Melbourne. Sydney have time and time again proven they don't turn up unless it is a final or a play off qualifier. Adelaide even beat Sydney's crowds in the first round of qualifying against fucking Tajikistan (35K), while Canberra and Perth both pulled in respectable crowds of 19K against Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh respectively.

I wasn't, he was shocking against Japan bar 1 or 2 moments, sainsbury was shocking last night, he really needs to sort his club future out

I seen a few, bailey wright created a few chances and actually got up the field pretty well

Needs to have another1 on 1 performance appraisal by the Foz LOL

I wonder if Ange ever asks millicic or Gombau for their opinions on tactics etc or itsjust his way or the highway ? Time for Gombau to get a promo .Last night also shows us why Brendan Rodgers has Rogic on the bench a majority of the time , he's so lazy and casula , there's no urgency about the guy whatsoever !!

Not sure if it's been mentioned or not but what was the idea behind inverting Wright and Degenek.....?

I can't see any benefit to it

I just couldn't be bothered - gutted to say the least and many posts cover my thoughts and not.
Its football - ironic that France vs bottom placed Luxemburg the other day had similar circumstance yet to quali straight through.
74% possession, countless shots finishing nil nil.

By the way, someone sign up that mini pocket rocket of theirs up front, unbelievable, as a matter of fact considering he's the only one playing offshore sign up a few others for AL or PL teams, they sure can defend.

That was an inept and hopeless performance by the Socceroos; well played by a brave Thailand side.

We just aren't as good as we think we are!!!!

Certainly worth a try,












or maybe we should just give this 10 franchise thing another 12 years

Well said.

A number of countries now have tertiary degrees to be football coaches.

I'm not sure if Spira didn't recover too well, but I was surprised at his omission.

It was a very good Socceroo performance apart from goal conversion rates.

45 shots to 2 is amazing!

It will create better players. Thats a no brainer. 

P and R will fix that

My point is I would like a national venue. 
Stadium Australia is that. We have history there. 2005 & Asian Cup etc

It will be great after the renovations.

In a case where FFA sell the GF I wouldnt mind if it was there, on the condition SFC & WSW arent allowed to use the stadium ..... which is imppossible due to NSWvgov backing European tours.

Playing at Adelaide Oval shouldnt be any kids dream.

it may be the least of anges jobs but it was one of ange's jobs

more kids watching and getting excited about the roos=more kids dreaming of one day playing for the roos = better future roos. 

Im not too fussed about that.

IMO Once they finish the 2 stadiums in Sydney, AAMI and new Parra should get "b" games and Stadium Australia "a" games. No travelling circus bidding wars. Also we play different countries each time. 

it was weird thing for him to say he should manage expectations better

part of his job is to get people excited about the roos again. Its a fine line between hyping your fans up and overpromising

still it would be interesting to see socceroos crowd numbers under ange v holger/pim

He stated people should be more critical. Now results havent gone his way he seems sulky and passive aggressive