Bit late Bot!

Wish he wasnt

I’ve been a big critic of Leckie but credit where it’s due, he’s been one of the best players in the league this season.

I’m actually really surprised how well he’s performed at #10. You wouldn’t think he has the attributes for it. 

He's been great for City since the middle of last season, looking really assured centrally of late. I was calling for his head last year, and I know he's not the shiny, exciting new hotshot we all love, but I'm happy enough with his selection as one of the senior heads. 

88 international games. 13 Goals, 6 assists.
540 WC minutes - 0 goals, 0 assists.
528 Asian Cup minutes - 0 goals, 1 Assist.
213 Confed Cup minutes - 0 goals,  0 Assist.

That's 1281 minutes of tournament time for one assist, against the power house that is Oman.

In this WC qualification cycle he played 864 minutes for 4 goals and 1 assist. His last goal was 515 days ago against Nepal (in the AFCs second round, vs Nepal), in which time he's had one assist. In the last 568 minutes of match time he hasn't scored, and assisted once.

You can say he's the greatest player in the domestic comp at the moment, it doesn't change the fact that internationally he's just not up to the standard.

100%. He is average at best. Never liked him since WCUP 2014. 

I don't disagree with you that he has very little end results from his play for the national team and I don't think it is ideal he is in the squad. However who would you replace him with?

McGree.
Brimmer.
Hollaran
Wales

Again I’m no Leckie fan and have been very public on here in criticising his selection in the past, but:

McGree - already in the squad
Brimmer - is a CM, not a winger 
Halloran - decent A-League level player but there’s a reason literally no one is calling for him to be in the national team
Wales - lol
Tilio - Leckie literally starts ahead of him at their club 

Alfred makes a great point, it’s not like there’s a super obvious alternative. At least he offers leadership to the squad. 

I would look at Tilio even if Leckie has started ahead of him at club level, although the last three games they have both started.
Not sure how Ikonomidis is going but maybe he could be considered.
There might be an option of going with one less winger and taking Taggart or another midfielder. A number of players in the squad could play RW if really needed.

Arzani, easily.

After that Piscopo, Tilio, Folami, Ikon,  Francois, Silvera. 

Honestly a number of up and coming players could've replaced him, my point in all this is he's a been found wanting internationally, and shouldn't be in the team.

( I hope I'm wrong about this, but it does seem like a dud selection at the moment based on the stats)

I think Leckie should have been converted to a Right Back a long time ago.

His lack of finishing acumen and lack of insight as part of an attacking unit  would not be an issue if he were to play RB.

I don't know if sucking at finishing or being crap in attack, are good indicators of a good defender. He also has poor technique and little tactical ability. What makes you think he would be a good defender? because he used to be able to run fast.

Not much love here for Leckie - and those that do rate him don’t seem bothered about defending his selection either. He is in squad for his fitness and workrate basically 

Arzani - no end product. Maybe next cycle, definitely not now.
Tilio - Probably 6th choice behind the 5 in the squad
Folami - nowhere near
Ikon - Currently one of the worst marquees in the history of the league

He’s there because he fully deserves to be there. I do think that after the World Cup, he should be gradually phased out.

I think he's been living off the outside foot cross he did at Asian cup when we won. Not many wingers have those sort of stats these days not many assists or goals. 

He would of made an exceptional RWB, probably even better than Emerton.

Probably, would have been better then Cafu or Dani Alves 

yeah....and off the fact he basically had a better European career than any Socceroo since the Golden gen.

Aaron Mooy says hello 

Anglophiles say hello back

Dare say Mooy played less premier league games than Leckie did Bundesliga games - I'm guessing by some margin?

Not saying he is a a "better" player - purely talking about the career he had (and I even said "basically" indicating you could argue Mooy or Jedinak had equally good or better since the GG)

Leckie vs Arzani

And I'm sorry to break it to people but defending from the front and set pieces are our only REALISTIC route to goal in 2 of our 3 games.

I know fans love playing fantasy football and dreaming of scenarios where they place an action they have seen in one game into another scenario but these are real life tough professional battles about to take place. Not a Sunday avo in Sydney's outer burbs with 379 people half watching!

He's got the skills Matt McKay, without the tenacity.

I'll say that again.

He's got the skills of Matty McKay without the tenacity

(Just for shits & giggles) Leckie vs Tilio

again Tilio better at dribbling past players than Leckie. Leckie again better in defense. But Tilio much better in terms of creativity and shots on target than Leckie. Will never forget Tilio screamer vs Argentinia at Olympics

People give crap to Matt Mckay but he played pretty damn well at 2014 WCUP vs Dutch

Can't talk about careers without mentioning international careers.