+x+x+x+x+x+x+x+x+xAustralia in general is a very conformist / rules-based country. People with flair, individualism and who act differently are generally ostracized or looked on negatively. It's a massive generalisation, but I think rings true, if this has any effect on how we produce footballers I don't know...probably minimal but it could make sense. I also just think we don't have the culture and the kids in the streets playing that breeds this type of footballer. It's all 2500k marketing camps. Which is probably a much more likely reason. yes mate, for sure there is so many pieces to the puzzle and the times. Another strange thing with all the football exposure/kids wearing Euro kits etcetc you'd think we'd be heading for that BOOM we/I've been waiting on for the last 30+ yrs but here we are. Yep $2500/3k wannabee camps, Individual training, seriously what a turn around. Once upon a time my ol man would struggle to buy me good boots, forget a LFC shirt as a gift OR APIA shirt BUT we as kids would be down the local oval smashing balls, my Mums plants were smashed up at home. I'm glad I encouraged my 2 sons (31/24) football is the game and they live and breath it as I do, they continously keep goign to kickabouts with mates. Now these budding fully kitted up and comers have the skills you'd die for then when going into camps they are trained out of their abilty having mimicked CR7/Messi/Neymar or whoever. yeah bloody oath. I was telling someone the other day how we used to make footballs with newspaper and sticky tape when I was little. They couldn't;t believe it lol A player that can dribble 1/2 the opposition squad is LOVED by his teammates (and the opponents try and kick three shade of shit out of him) but here he is a ball hog and not a team player.... we value different things here thats all. I was just thinking the same thing. You look at any good successful striker and there is an element of selfishness about them. I think we lack a bit of that. It's probably why we see so many foreign strikers doing well in the A-League. They know what they want and aren't afraid to take it. They'll take the shot on goal even when there is only a small gap and a player wide open at the far post to receive a pass. Which often gets results here, because the Aussie defenders and keepers are anticipating the pass. #9s and #10s are MEANT to be selfish bastards.... thats written in the laws of the game... well it should be :) hey in our current state I have no care what number a selfish player wears haha but yep, selfishness is needed and back yourself, thats the mentality of a winner. 'In our current state', LFC when did Australia produce strikers outside of the Dukes? The following all played in big 5 leagues or champions league sides.. Aloisi Farina Kennedy Dave Mitchell Krncevic Agostino Kewell (started at LM but also played CF at times with Leeds, and then with Gala was almost exclusively a CF) Cahill (was a CF from about 2010 onwards) McDonald Sterjovski (was a CF at Lille, before moving to wing at Basel and Derby) Zdrillic Richard Garcia Leckie (CF at times) Dykes (not quite Prem but one of the best in Champ and played in euros) Tbf we've traditionally produced quality strikers it's just last few yrs things have dried up. Hopefully Mo Toure and Yengi can take next step. How many of these players would get a run as a striker in the top leagues today? None. Outside chance Alosi as a backup striker for a lower level team. Kewell & Leckie as wingers, yes, Cahill is the big question mark, great goalscorer, but not great with ball at feet.
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