Game 1

                     Ryan
   Deng Souttar Rowles Behich
                 Mooy O'Neill
      Metcalfe  McGree  Goodwin
                          Duke 

Game 2

                     Gauci
 Atkinson Deng Rowles Bos
     Irvine  Robertson Baccus
      Mabil Cummings Tilio

Devlin isn't going to play I think but I'd really like to see him get a run. We've got to stert trying something for post Mooy/Irvine and despite his excellent club form, Irvine isn't as technically good as our next batch. This squad actually allows and attempt at a back 3

                          Ryan 
            Deng Souttar Rowles
Atkinson                                 Bos
                    Mooy Baccus
              Metcalfe     McGree
                          Duke


I just realised King is also out like Karacic. The former just needs to get playing again. Good luck to him. Bos definitely the better prospect. Deng might be in with a shot at RB. We can afford to be bold this window. Let's experiment. 
               

King was very lucky to make the WC squad, considering other options left out.

Going over their world cup squad and I anticipate quite a few will be named for these games. What a challenge this will be. Won't be surprised if we stand up and win but also not if they get up 3:1. These are the opponents we need.

Very interesting is the new coach is the ex Qatar one. 

Bump past the spam. 

Of the debutants would like to see Bo's get some good minutes and perhaps a glimpse of Robertson getting cameo appearances off the bench.

Would like to get a look of Metcalfe at RW and McGree at LW.

I suspect one of the games will be close to the WC 11. I think we'll see Degenek at RB. It'll be interesting to see who takes Leckies spot. Metcalfe or Kuol. 

What I expect:

                             Ryan
Degenek - Souttar - Rowles - Behich
                             Irvine
                     Mooy - McGree
          Metcalfe - Duke - Goodwin

Would love to see

                      Ryan
Deng - Souttar - Rowles - Bos
                     Mooy
         Robertson  McGree
        Kuol    Borello   Goodwin (sub: Irankunda)

I think we've missed a trick with no Strain or Elder in the squad. I would have given both game time. Skint at no. 9 too, nothing new there. 
              

Ecuador squad named. They're not mucking around. Way better than Peru so this will be an excellent challenge.

Mooy out with in jury. Strain called up instead. Strange choice.

Mooy out, Ryan Stain in

I'm glad Strain is in he deserves it and should start. It gives Robertson a good opportunity with Mooy out. It's good to have a technically minded no. 8 to call on. It may be tempting to play Irvine and Devlin but I would only go with either or with their playing qualities. 

Can you edit posts on this forum? 

Yep. If on phone turn it sideways and top-right corner there’s a pen symbol to edit text. Same on pc

Legend thanks. Another dumb question. Can you post images etc.? 

Ticket sales for the Melbourne game seem to be pretty solid. 

Yep but i can only get them to copy/paste from a pc? Mods will know. And Muz too

Boyle has travelled to Australia to join up with the squad. This guy just loves it. Top commitment.

Souttar already there. Handy playing on Heathrow's doorstep Saturday. 

If he plays in the asia cup that would be feel good

winning the asian cup away from home would be as big as making the 16 at the wc imo

Baccus is ahead of Devlin

For DM? Baccus played a more advanced mid role at the WC. 

That’s super cute. What a legend. 

Boyle and Souttar my first two picks for the NT. Will be great to see Boyle in green and gold again.

that ticket website is archaic - so annoying 
got six tickets and was painful selecting seats 

Did Devlin get subbed on or start? No
Did Baccus get subbed on or start? Yes

And Baccus gave Messi a tackle that he felt.

the kid rocks up in ralph lauren tracksuit... like come on.. you literally have done NOTHING yet...

Who?

Ticketmaster sucks 

Really excited about having a couple of friendlies.

After existing in the era before 2005 with barely a serious competitive Socceroo game in any 4 year cycle from 1972 until 2005, I can't believe I'm saying this after 4 successive Asian Cup Champs and  their qualifying campaigns  - and - 5 successive World Cups and their qualifying campaigns.

Looking at the selected line up, it was interesting that Alex Robertson from Man City has committed to the Socceroos. I hope he succeeds and becomes a long term Socceroo. It seems to add greatly to Aussie media interest in national teams if any Socceroos or Matildas play in the EPL. 

However, at this stage of a player's career the likes of a few precocious Aussie footballers in the embryonic stages of careers at a high club level - Alan Smith then Liverpool, Chris Herd, was it West Ham or a team like Burnley with a similar strip ?, or Ursum Gulum playing in Turkey, plus Arzani with City and the Socceroos -  never progressed much, or, had a very short peak in their careers. 

Also, I'm gobsmacked that  Christian Volpato refused a Socceroo World Cup berth? The Socceroos finished 11th in Qatar. Even if Volpato achieves the remote possibility of playing for Italy, they don't often exceed 11th in WCs. Or they  outright failed to qualify for the last two WCs altogether, despite having a tremendous WC and Euro Champ pedigree on paper.

In Arnie's wonderful 18 min video presentation on the Football Aus website, he seems very confident he will recruit Volpato and the other  Italian  Serie A squad player.

Was pleased to see Aidan O'Neill selected. He has improved. Also, his City teammate, LB Jordi Bos, who has looked great going forward has performed well for Melb City. I haven't seen enough of him to appraise his defensive abilities though.

In Arnie's Football Aus 18 min presentation he alluded to how  difficult it was for Aussie players  who play in the Scottish league. He  maintained  that there were basically only about 2 decent club pitches in Scotland, whilst AL players had decent pitches in most games they play.

Arnie also stated the Scottish league was very physical and often played in awful weather. Hence, it would be difficult for Kuol to succeed there.

He also reiterated the AL season was too short.  ATM it seems to be only about 25 games. I suppose if a club is in the ACL they play another 6 game minimum. There must be 3-6  Cup games too, although some are played against mediocre semi-pro/amateur clubs. 

One never knows long term?

Think Kaz Patafta, Ben Kantarovski, Chris Herd, Alan Smith, Stuart Musialik, Daniel Arzani.

Then late developers surprisingly occur - Mark Milligan, Mile Jedinak.

Bos  looks fantastic going forward ATM.

One can't blood too many inexperienced players at once.

One has to know one's own game well to organise other players around them to follow a team game plan.