|
grazorblade
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 17K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+x+x+xPeople are going on about the improvement of Asian teams. On a technical level, I agree, they've improved. But results-wise, they're still not looking strong. In the past five World Cups, how many Asian teams have made it to the semi-finals?
This is actually an interesting point and it has relevance to Australia's results in WCQs I'd argue the only difference between this and the last cycle and previous ones where we finished second is Saudi Arabia have got their shit together (at least in Asia) Where do most of the Saudis play? Most (if not all?) In Saudi squad play in their domestic league one of the few decent oil leagues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balin Trev
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 3.6K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+x+xPeople are going on about the improvement of Asian teams. On a technical level, I agree, they've improved. But results-wise, they're still not looking strong. In the past five World Cups, how many Asian teams have made it to the semi-finals?
This is actually an interesting point and it has relevance to Australia's results in WCQs I'd argue the only difference between this and the last cycle and previous ones where we finished second is Saudi Arabia have got their shit together (at least in Asia) Where do most of the Saudis play? Most (if not all?) In Saudi squad play in their domestic league
|
|
|
|
|
Burztur
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 9.1K,
Visits: 0
|
Can finally bring myself to typing here.
FUCK!
|
|
|
|
|
sydneyfc1987
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 10K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+x+x+x+xMatthew Leckie Why haven't Holger, Ange, Bert or Arnie converted him to a RB? Like Kruse, he is a terrific runner off the ball, in opening offensive passing lanes, but Leckie has had 10 years of missing goal after goal after goal for the national team. 70 games for 13 goals! This must be the worst goal scoring conversion record of any player in the front three for Australia since we were admitted to Asian Confed in 2005! Even worse, Matt has played some games as a central striker! This is approx 1 goal scored for every 7 games - simply appalling! If he had a terrific number of assists, or assists that could have a probability for scoring goals, it would compensate a lot. I doubt he has though? At best he may have created some decoy dummy runs. All Socceroo coaches have collectively responsibility for playing Leckie as a forward. If he is a terrific team person, or leader, and the team operates better with him around it, with the rest of his skill set, he is a Right Back - not a Winger or Central Striker. To have one player in a team's attacking front three, who has such a low conversion rate in scoring goals, puts massive pressure on the Socceroos when we dominate periods of play and we don't score. Against Oman, he wasn't as guilty as usual, and played a few potential assists. However, if he had a strike rate of Maclaren, Duke, Mabil, Boyle, etc, we would have already qualified by now! Notwithstanding, despite all his talents, converting goals is not one of them. The stats don't lie. Goodwin playing as a winger, Leckie's sub, in hardly any minutes for the Socceroos, scored a classy goal against Vietnam. Matt has never scored a goal like this in 10 years. Running hard at the keeper at high speed, Goodwin chipped it over his head . Maybe Bert can be excused, but how has coach after coach played Leckie in the front three for Australia? I'd surmise he would be one of the greatest RBs Australia has had, if someone had copied Guus, or Pim, and swapped Emerton and Wilkshire as RB and RW. Leckie has very little composure around goal, particularly against better opposition . At age 30 - 31, Leckie is not going to improve his scoring ability. He might score the odd goal against minnows, but he has been really found wanting against tougher option in converting goals. That is despite him having a better game today, not missing as many chances as usual. kruse had 5 from 75! Which is worse, but Leckie's total is also a game losing conversion rate. I'm amazed Kruse played so many games? Kruse had way more assists, but still missed plenty but at least had some sort of 1v1 ability till he got injured/kicked to the death in germany Roos game i went to vs Jordan 2013 in Melbourne Kruse was on fire. Provided nice assist for 1st Bresciano goal and scored another 1v1 goal unassisted in 2nd half. Leckie at his best was very pale when compared to Kruse at his best imho That was his best game for Australia without doubt. Was gutting when he got injured in the lead up to 2014. I'd still argue Leckie has a better shot on him. Pretty much every goal Kruse scores he has hit directly at the keeper and is substandard goalkeeping.
(VAR) IS NAVY BLUE
|
|
|
|
|
Muz
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 14K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+xPeople are going on about the improvement of Asian teams. On a technical level, I agree, they've improved. But results-wise, they're still not looking strong. In the past five World Cups, how many Asian teams have made it to the semi-finals?
This is actually an interesting point and it has relevance to Australia's results in WCQs I'd argue the only difference between this and the last cycle and previous ones where we finished second is Saudi Arabia have got their shit together (at least in Asia) Where do most of the Saudis play?
Member since 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
sydneyfc1987
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 10K,
Visits: 0
|
+xPeople are going on about the improvement of Asian teams. On a technical level, I agree, they've improved. But results-wise, they're still not looking strong. In the past five World Cups, how many Asian teams have made it to the semi-finals?
This is actually an interesting point and it has relevance to Australia's results in WCQs I'd argue the only difference between this and the last cycle and previous ones where we finished second is Saudi Arabia have got their shit together (at least in Asia)
(VAR) IS NAVY BLUE
|
|
|
|
|
Pasquali
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 1K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+x+x+x+x[quote]Matthew Leckie Why haven't Holger, Ange, Bert or Arnie converted him to a RB? Like Kruse, he is a terrific runner off the ball, in opening offensive passing lanes, but Leckie has had 10 years of missing goal after goal after goal for the national team. 70 games for 13 goals! This must be the worst goal scoring conversion record of any player in the front three for Australia since we were admitted to Asian Confed in 2005! Even worse, Matt has played some games as a central striker! This is approx 1 goal scored for every 7 games - simply appalling! If he had a terrific number of assists, or assists that could have a probability for scoring goals, it would compensate a lot. I doubt he has though? At best he may have created some decoy dummy runs. All Socceroo coaches have collectively responsibility for playing Leckie as a forward. If he is a terrific team person, or leader, and the team operates better with him around it, with the rest of his skill set, he is a Right Back - not a Winger or Central Striker. To have one player in a team's attacking front three, who has such a low conversion rate in scoring goals, puts massive pressure on the Socceroos when we dominate periods of play and we don't score. Against Oman, he wasn't as guilty as usual, and played a few potential assists. However, if he had a strike rate of Maclaren, Duke, Mabil, Boyle, etc, we would have already qualified by now! Notwithstanding, despite all his talents, converting goals is not one of them. The stats don't lie. Goodwin playing as a winger, Leckie's sub, in hardly any minutes for the Socceroos, scored a classy goal against Vietnam. Matt has never scored a goal like this in 10 years. Running hard at the keeper at high speed, Goodwin chipped it over his head . Maybe Bert can be excused, but how has coach after coach played Leckie in the front three for Australia? I'd surmise he would be one of the greatest RBs Australia has had, if someone had copied Guus, or Pim, and swapped Emerton and Wilkshire as RB and RW. Leckie has very little composure around goal, particularly against better opposition . At age 30 - 31, Leckie is not going to improve his scoring ability. He might score the odd goal against minnows, but he has been really found wanting against tougher option in converting goals. That is despite him having a better game today, not missing as many chances as usual. kruse had 5 from 75! Which is worse, but Leckie's total is also a game losing conversion rate. I'm amazed Kruse played so many games? imagine playing kruse and leckie in the same front 3rd for the last 6 years mabil and boyle actually finish occasionally Our forwards are just not good enough and the future doesn't look much better. Where are our next Kewells, Vidukas and Cahills? Folami, Bernardo Oliveira…
|
|
|
|
|
CityHarrison
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 34,
Visits: 0
|
+x+x+x+xMatthew Leckie Why haven't Holger, Ange, Bert or Arnie converted him to a RB? Like Kruse, he is a terrific runner off the ball, in opening offensive passing lanes, but Leckie has had 10 years of missing goal after goal after goal for the national team. 70 games for 13 goals! This must be the worst goal scoring conversion record of any player in the front three for Australia since we were admitted to Asian Confed in 2005! Even worse, Matt has played some games as a central striker! This is approx 1 goal scored for every 7 games - simply appalling! If he had a terrific number of assists, or assists that could have a probability for scoring goals, it would compensate a lot. I doubt he has though? At best he may have created some decoy dummy runs. All Socceroo coaches have collectively responsibility for playing Leckie as a forward. If he is a terrific team person, or leader, and the team operates better with him around it, with the rest of his skill set, he is a Right Back - not a Winger or Central Striker. To have one player in a team's attacking front three, who has such a low conversion rate in scoring goals, puts massive pressure on the Socceroos when we dominate periods of play and we don't score. Against Oman, he wasn't as guilty as usual, and played a few potential assists. However, if he had a strike rate of Maclaren, Duke, Mabil, Boyle, etc, we would have already qualified by now! Notwithstanding, despite all his talents, converting goals is not one of them. The stats don't lie. Goodwin playing as a winger, Leckie's sub, in hardly any minutes for the Socceroos, scored a classy goal against Vietnam. Matt has never scored a goal like this in 10 years. Running hard at the keeper at high speed, Goodwin chipped it over his head . Maybe Bert can be excused, but how has coach after coach played Leckie in the front three for Australia? I'd surmise he would be one of the greatest RBs Australia has had, if someone had copied Guus, or Pim, and swapped Emerton and Wilkshire as RB and RW. Leckie has very little composure around goal, particularly against better opposition . At age 30 - 31, Leckie is not going to improve his scoring ability. He might score the odd goal against minnows, but he has been really found wanting against tougher option in converting goals. That is despite him having a better game today, not missing as many chances as usual. kruse had 5 from 75! Which is worse, but Leckie's total is also a game losing conversion rate. I'm amazed Kruse played so many games? imagine playing kruse and leckie in the same front 3rd for the last 6 years mabil and boyle actually finish occasionally For a guy that played so many matches in the Bundesliga, Leckie's return was poor. 10 goals and 6 assists from 139 matches. He is an ordinary finisher for a forward and he barely creates goals. Has pace and not a lot else. Second division was better but that was more his level. With Leckie still getting lots of minutes, we will always struggle to score goals. Boyle is better but how does he go against decent opponents? How will any of our forwards fare against better opponents? The answer is not well. A quick look at goalscoring rates against decent opponents even in Asia tells me as much. Our forwards are just not good enough and the future doesn't look much better. Where are our next Kewells, Vidukas and Cahills? Midfield and defence we're looking better but we'll need a bit of luck with injuries and proper development.
|
|
|
|
|
jas88
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 5.6K,
Visits: 0
|
+xPeople are going on about the improvement of Asian teams. On a technical level, I agree, they've improved. But results-wise, they're still not looking strong. In the past five World Cups, how many Asian teams have made it to the semi-finals? South Korea in 2002. That's it. The semi-finals is "deep in the tournament". And Asia has had one team ever "go deep" at a World Cup. And that was two decades ago. Results-wise, Asia hasn't improved much at all. If Japan make the semi-finals of this World Cup and Saudi Arabia get out of their group (or similar) ... all right. We can say that, overall, Asia has improved relative to the rest of the world and we've been behind the pace. But I'll wager that, at best, there'll be one Asian team at the quarter-finals, and that's as far as they'll get. That makes our (almost certain) non-qualification even more demoralising still. I think there's more chance of the Africans causing some upsets. Senegal and Ivory Coast have outstanding squads just need decent managers.
|
|
|
|
|
grazorblade
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 17K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+x+x+x+xMatthew Leckie Why haven't Holger, Ange, Bert or Arnie converted him to a RB? Like Kruse, he is a terrific runner off the ball, in opening offensive passing lanes, but Leckie has had 10 years of missing goal after goal after goal for the national team. 70 games for 13 goals! This must be the worst goal scoring conversion record of any player in the front three for Australia since we were admitted to Asian Confed in 2005! Even worse, Matt has played some games as a central striker! This is approx 1 goal scored for every 7 games - simply appalling! If he had a terrific number of assists, or assists that could have a probability for scoring goals, it would compensate a lot. I doubt he has though? At best he may have created some decoy dummy runs. All Socceroo coaches have collectively responsibility for playing Leckie as a forward. If he is a terrific team person, or leader, and the team operates better with him around it, with the rest of his skill set, he is a Right Back - not a Winger or Central Striker. To have one player in a team's attacking front three, who has such a low conversion rate in scoring goals, puts massive pressure on the Socceroos when we dominate periods of play and we don't score. Against Oman, he wasn't as guilty as usual, and played a few potential assists. However, if he had a strike rate of Maclaren, Duke, Mabil, Boyle, etc, we would have already qualified by now! Notwithstanding, despite all his talents, converting goals is not one of them. The stats don't lie. Goodwin playing as a winger, Leckie's sub, in hardly any minutes for the Socceroos, scored a classy goal against Vietnam. Matt has never scored a goal like this in 10 years. Running hard at the keeper at high speed, Goodwin chipped it over his head . Maybe Bert can be excused, but how has coach after coach played Leckie in the front three for Australia? I'd surmise he would be one of the greatest RBs Australia has had, if someone had copied Guus, or Pim, and swapped Emerton and Wilkshire as RB and RW. Leckie has very little composure around goal, particularly against better opposition . At age 30 - 31, Leckie is not going to improve his scoring ability. He might score the odd goal against minnows, but he has been really found wanting against tougher option in converting goals. That is despite him having a better game today, not missing as many chances as usual. kruse had 5 from 75! Which is worse, but Leckie's total is also a game losing conversion rate. I'm amazed Kruse played so many games? Kruse had way more assists, but still missed plenty but at least had some sort of 1v1 ability till he got injured/kicked to the death in germany Roos game i went to vs Jordan 2013 in Melbourne Kruse was on fire. Provided nice assist for 1st Bresciano goal and scored another 1v1 goal unassisted in 2nd half. Leckie at his best was very pale when compared to Kruse at his best imho was also on fire for Leverkusen that sadly was all before his acl and he was never the same player. He showed character to get back to a decent standard people hating on Arzani should definitely take note!
|
|
|
|
|
charlied
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.3K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+x+x+x+xMatthew Leckie Why haven't Holger, Ange, Bert or Arnie converted him to a RB? Like Kruse, he is a terrific runner off the ball, in opening offensive passing lanes, but Leckie has had 10 years of missing goal after goal after goal for the national team. 70 games for 13 goals! This must be the worst goal scoring conversion record of any player in the front three for Australia since we were admitted to Asian Confed in 2005! Even worse, Matt has played some games as a central striker! This is approx 1 goal scored for every 7 games - simply appalling! If he had a terrific number of assists, or assists that could have a probability for scoring goals, it would compensate a lot. I doubt he has though? At best he may have created some decoy dummy runs. All Socceroo coaches have collectively responsibility for playing Leckie as a forward. If he is a terrific team person, or leader, and the team operates better with him around it, with the rest of his skill set, he is a Right Back - not a Winger or Central Striker. To have one player in a team's attacking front three, who has such a low conversion rate in scoring goals, puts massive pressure on the Socceroos when we dominate periods of play and we don't score. Against Oman, he wasn't as guilty as usual, and played a few potential assists. However, if he had a strike rate of Maclaren, Duke, Mabil, Boyle, etc, we would have already qualified by now! Notwithstanding, despite all his talents, converting goals is not one of them. The stats don't lie. Goodwin playing as a winger, Leckie's sub, in hardly any minutes for the Socceroos, scored a classy goal against Vietnam. Matt has never scored a goal like this in 10 years. Running hard at the keeper at high speed, Goodwin chipped it over his head . Maybe Bert can be excused, but how has coach after coach played Leckie in the front three for Australia? I'd surmise he would be one of the greatest RBs Australia has had, if someone had copied Guus, or Pim, and swapped Emerton and Wilkshire as RB and RW. Leckie has very little composure around goal, particularly against better opposition . At age 30 - 31, Leckie is not going to improve his scoring ability. He might score the odd goal against minnows, but he has been really found wanting against tougher option in converting goals. That is despite him having a better game today, not missing as many chances as usual. kruse had 5 from 75! Which is worse, but Leckie's total is also a game losing conversion rate. I'm amazed Kruse played so many games? Kruse had way more assists, but still missed plenty but at least had some sort of 1v1 ability till he got injured/kicked to the death in germany Roos game i went to vs Jordan 2013 in Melbourne Kruse was on fire. Provided nice assist for 1st Bresciano goal and scored another 1v1 goal unassisted in 2nd half. Leckie at his best was very pale when compared to Kruse at his best imho Definitely on your last point. Leckie not in the same class.
|
|
|
|
|
kaufusi
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.6K,
Visits: 0
|
Geez we missed the likes of Devlin and McGree in midfield.
Could have used a defensive terrier and someone with a bit more silk.
|
|
|
|
|
Balin Trev
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 3.6K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+x+x+xMatthew Leckie Why haven't Holger, Ange, Bert or Arnie converted him to a RB? Like Kruse, he is a terrific runner off the ball, in opening offensive passing lanes, but Leckie has had 10 years of missing goal after goal after goal for the national team. 70 games for 13 goals! This must be the worst goal scoring conversion record of any player in the front three for Australia since we were admitted to Asian Confed in 2005! Even worse, Matt has played some games as a central striker! This is approx 1 goal scored for every 7 games - simply appalling! If he had a terrific number of assists, or assists that could have a probability for scoring goals, it would compensate a lot. I doubt he has though? At best he may have created some decoy dummy runs. All Socceroo coaches have collectively responsibility for playing Leckie as a forward. If he is a terrific team person, or leader, and the team operates better with him around it, with the rest of his skill set, he is a Right Back - not a Winger or Central Striker. To have one player in a team's attacking front three, who has such a low conversion rate in scoring goals, puts massive pressure on the Socceroos when we dominate periods of play and we don't score. Against Oman, he wasn't as guilty as usual, and played a few potential assists. However, if he had a strike rate of Maclaren, Duke, Mabil, Boyle, etc, we would have already qualified by now! Notwithstanding, despite all his talents, converting goals is not one of them. The stats don't lie. Goodwin playing as a winger, Leckie's sub, in hardly any minutes for the Socceroos, scored a classy goal against Vietnam. Matt has never scored a goal like this in 10 years. Running hard at the keeper at high speed, Goodwin chipped it over his head . Maybe Bert can be excused, but how has coach after coach played Leckie in the front three for Australia? I'd surmise he would be one of the greatest RBs Australia has had, if someone had copied Guus, or Pim, and swapped Emerton and Wilkshire as RB and RW. Leckie has very little composure around goal, particularly against better opposition . At age 30 - 31, Leckie is not going to improve his scoring ability. He might score the odd goal against minnows, but he has been really found wanting against tougher option in converting goals. That is despite him having a better game today, not missing as many chances as usual. kruse had 5 from 75! Which is worse, but Leckie's total is also a game losing conversion rate. I'm amazed Kruse played so many games? Kruse had way more assists, but still missed plenty but at least had some sort of 1v1 ability till he got injured/kicked to the death in germany Roos game i went to vs Jordan 2013 in Melbourne Kruse was on fire. Provided nice assist for 1st Bresciano goal and scored another 1v1 goal unassisted in 2nd half. Leckie at his best was very pale when compared to Kruse at his best imho
|
|
|
|
|
jas88
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 5.6K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+x+xMatthew Leckie Why haven't Holger, Ange, Bert or Arnie converted him to a RB? Like Kruse, he is a terrific runner off the ball, in opening offensive passing lanes, but Leckie has had 10 years of missing goal after goal after goal for the national team. 70 games for 13 goals! This must be the worst goal scoring conversion record of any player in the front three for Australia since we were admitted to Asian Confed in 2005! Even worse, Matt has played some games as a central striker! This is approx 1 goal scored for every 7 games - simply appalling! If he had a terrific number of assists, or assists that could have a probability for scoring goals, it would compensate a lot. I doubt he has though? At best he may have created some decoy dummy runs. All Socceroo coaches have collectively responsibility for playing Leckie as a forward. If he is a terrific team person, or leader, and the team operates better with him around it, with the rest of his skill set, he is a Right Back - not a Winger or Central Striker. To have one player in a team's attacking front three, who has such a low conversion rate in scoring goals, puts massive pressure on the Socceroos when we dominate periods of play and we don't score. Against Oman, he wasn't as guilty as usual, and played a few potential assists. However, if he had a strike rate of Maclaren, Duke, Mabil, Boyle, etc, we would have already qualified by now! Notwithstanding, despite all his talents, converting goals is not one of them. The stats don't lie. Goodwin playing as a winger, Leckie's sub, in hardly any minutes for the Socceroos, scored a classy goal against Vietnam. Matt has never scored a goal like this in 10 years. Running hard at the keeper at high speed, Goodwin chipped it over his head . Maybe Bert can be excused, but how has coach after coach played Leckie in the front three for Australia? I'd surmise he would be one of the greatest RBs Australia has had, if someone had copied Guus, or Pim, and swapped Emerton and Wilkshire as RB and RW. Leckie has very little composure around goal, particularly against better opposition . At age 30 - 31, Leckie is not going to improve his scoring ability. He might score the odd goal against minnows, but he has been really found wanting against tougher option in converting goals. That is despite him having a better game today, not missing as many chances as usual. kruse had 5 from 75! Which is worse, but Leckie's total is also a game losing conversion rate. I'm amazed Kruse played so many games? Kruse had way more assists, but still missed plenty but at least had some sort of 1v1 ability till he got injured/kicked to the death in germany
|
|
|
|
|
highkick05
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 14K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+xI've been fantasising about having Atkinson, Elder, McGree, Hrustic and even potentially Juric on the pitch with some quick bite. Brook had the right idea in his recent games. Piscopo seems to be fading. Just of Leckie stumbling when others regularly beat the man like Ikon. There is too much being made of Hrustic. I'm sorry but he does not have a football brain at all, particularly in the defensive half. His technique on the ball is very good in attack, but he makes awful decisions. It is not as decisive in the attacking third, where players can afford to make mistakes. At best he is a candidate to replace Leckie as a winger. If I was playing on this team with Leckie, Irvine, Maclaren, Behich bashing the ball around I'd be making bad decisions all game too.
|
|
|
|
|
quickflick
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 6.1K,
Visits: 0
|
People are going on about the improvement of Asian teams. On a technical level, I agree, they've improved. But results-wise, they're still not looking strong. In the past five World Cups, how many Asian teams have made it to the semi-finals?
South Korea in 2002. That's it. The semi-finals is "deep in the tournament". And Asia has had one team ever "go deep" at a World Cup. And that was two decades ago. Results-wise, Asia hasn't improved much at all.
If Japan make the semi-finals of this World Cup and Saudi Arabia get out of their group (or similar) ... all right. We can say that, overall, Asia has improved relative to the rest of the world and we've been behind the pace.
But I'll wager that, at best, there'll be one Asian team at the quarter-finals, and that's as far as they'll get.
That makes our (almost certain) non-qualification even more demoralising still.
|
|
|
|
|
quickflick
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 6.1K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+x+xI've been fantasising about having Atkinson, Elder, McGree, Hrustic and even potentially Juric on the pitch with some quick bite. Brook had the right idea in his recent games. Piscopo seems to be fading. Just of Leckie stumbling when others regularly beat the man like Ikon. There is too much being made of Hrustic. I'm sorry but he does not have a football brain at all, particularly in the defensive half. His technique on the ball is very good in attack, but he makes awful decisions. It is not as decisive in the attacking third, where players can afford to make mistakes. At best he is a candidate to replace Leckie as a winger. And this is why we can't have nice things....... This stubborn insistence (nothing personal Decentric as I gather this is a coaching philosophy of the NC?) on the high push, the defensive duties of the creative AM,.... We just don't have the technical ability OR the players to pull it off... Whats wrong with the simple ways, a false 9 or even a "heaven forbid" playmaking #10 that starts the attack from the centre circle? Look at Vietnam in the China game.... simple. Simple football, no pressing for 90 minutes, possession is everything.... just simple build up play...... Agreed
|
|
|
|
|
grazorblade
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 17K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+x+xMatthew Leckie Why haven't Holger, Ange, Bert or Arnie converted him to a RB? Like Kruse, he is a terrific runner off the ball, in opening offensive passing lanes, but Leckie has had 10 years of missing goal after goal after goal for the national team. 70 games for 13 goals! This must be the worst goal scoring conversion record of any player in the front three for Australia since we were admitted to Asian Confed in 2005! Even worse, Matt has played some games as a central striker! This is approx 1 goal scored for every 7 games - simply appalling! If he had a terrific number of assists, or assists that could have a probability for scoring goals, it would compensate a lot. I doubt he has though? At best he may have created some decoy dummy runs. All Socceroo coaches have collectively responsibility for playing Leckie as a forward. If he is a terrific team person, or leader, and the team operates better with him around it, with the rest of his skill set, he is a Right Back - not a Winger or Central Striker. To have one player in a team's attacking front three, who has such a low conversion rate in scoring goals, puts massive pressure on the Socceroos when we dominate periods of play and we don't score. Against Oman, he wasn't as guilty as usual, and played a few potential assists. However, if he had a strike rate of Maclaren, Duke, Mabil, Boyle, etc, we would have already qualified by now! Notwithstanding, despite all his talents, converting goals is not one of them. The stats don't lie. Goodwin playing as a winger, Leckie's sub, in hardly any minutes for the Socceroos, scored a classy goal against Vietnam. Matt has never scored a goal like this in 10 years. Running hard at the keeper at high speed, Goodwin chipped it over his head . Maybe Bert can be excused, but how has coach after coach played Leckie in the front three for Australia? I'd surmise he would be one of the greatest RBs Australia has had, if someone had copied Guus, or Pim, and swapped Emerton and Wilkshire as RB and RW. Leckie has very little composure around goal, particularly against better opposition . At age 30 - 31, Leckie is not going to improve his scoring ability. He might score the odd goal against minnows, but he has been really found wanting against tougher option in converting goals. That is despite him having a better game today, not missing as many chances as usual. kruse had 5 from 75! Which is worse, but Leckie's total is also a game losing conversion rate. I'm amazed Kruse played so many games? imagine playing kruse and leckie in the same front 3rd for the last 6 years mabil and boyle actually finish occasionally
|
|
|
|
|
patjennings
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 6.6K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+x+x[quote]Does anyone care to acknowledge how good the Omani’s were? This was one of the most intense games the Socceroos have faced in some time. The players were very skilled, well organised, mentally tough, and gave the Socceroos a good game. I feel as though much of that has been true for sometime, but the mental toughness of these teams nowadays has made them much more competitive. Arguably, their players were far more skilled than most of our players, bar Boyle. The reality is that Asia throughout is rising up, and we’re seeing high quality football with a diverse range of styles from the middle east to far east. Of course, this doesn’t excuse Australia. We have sat back and watched our advantage diminish over the past couple of decades, due to complacency and inaction, and we will pay the price over the coming years, until our most talented youth are receiving world class training and development. There are no excuses, and countries like Oman prove this. What’s more, our players have gradually becoming more comfortable in possession, knocking the ball around, but the obsession by eurosnobs to play like Spain, Germany, and whichever other country whom we feel we’re not worthy of, has stunted Australia’s organic self-actualisation in the game, where a grassroots-inspired style of play could put Australian football on the map, where players and teams play to their strengths. We need to develop our own ideas and have confidence and belief in them, a la Ange. The silver lining is that the current crop coming through are looking good; our club academies at A-League and NPL level are consistently producing A-League-ready footballers, and Australia seems to have returned to the global football landscape, with players making smart moves to appropriate leagues, helped by (I believe) the presence of CFG and their vast network of clubs and connections. We also have coaches making inroads in other markets, which is critical to a more global “know how”. With this in mind, if we miss out this time, we will have a chance again for 2026, but we should be mindful that Asia in general is improving vastly, so we have to continue to do so too, and, frankly, Australia can no longer consider it viable to go to World Cup’s and not be truly competitive. I believe this hurts the stature of the local game. I havent seen the Oman game yet but noticed the Vietnamese players having a better ball reception and passing technique than our lads in that game... What you call comfortable in possession I call hoofing around sideways and backwards in defence under no pressure..... I don't think things are as rosy as you see them.... Academies producing Aleague ready players is a fail mark in my eyes.... Spot ON ! We need players to move on to better leagues that have pressure on everyday at training and the concerns of relegation and the highs from hard work gaining promotion ! Not this cushy pro life here. There are many here who have paid out on the GG, belittled them, they had it easier, the Africans weren't prominent back then etcetc.... Every excuse under the sun ! Don't forget all this....last WC quali was bad enough what Ange put us through, this one is following the same path via the long route but likely not make it. Check mate. The last 15/16yrs local players have had the luxury of a lot more resource, better conditions, living at home. Arnold isn't the blame in the big picture its for all to see. We have not developed the quality of players like those before barring 1 or 2 exceptions. Most are in average leagues, let alone here. The developing Asian minnows that most expect us to exploit is long gone, are hungrier, desparate to succeed.Some are starting to press Japan as were seeing and we struggle every single time against them let alone lucky to snag a win back in the day. I actually think that the top 4 or 5 in Asia are not as strong as they heave been previously. That includes us, Sooth Korea and Japan. On the flip side the so-called minnows have come forward in leaps and bounds. TBH I would like to use our friendly dates to play our Asean neighbours on a regular basis. It would help them by playing 'supposed better teams' but it would also open our eyes to the skills that these 'minnows' display. We as a region to need to improve.
|
|
|
|
|
Decentric 2
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.9K,
Visits: 0
|
+xyou need to look at this more positively this is an indication of the growing strength of football in our region Oman are a quality side with many technically adept players. Even decimated by COVID they provided stiff competition. This is good for Australian football which is still moving in the right direction. Channel 10 coverage is excellent by the way. The quality of post match analysis is second to none. Tara is a great host. Very knowledgeable. You are correct. Football has improved immeasurably in our region. Unfortunately, we aren't improving as quickly as a lot of our Asian opposition. Agree Ten football analysis has been pretty good too. The female ex players, Grace ?, Georgia Yeoman- Dale, have had good insights, as have Millsy and Brosque.
|
|
|
|
|
Decentric 2
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.9K,
Visits: 0
|
+xIf we have to playoff against the South Americans, which we will, Johnson must go the full Lowy, fire Arnold, and bust the bank to bring in a Hiddinck level super coach. I don't think Hiddink was our best coach. Bert was. He got Holland to a World Cup Final in 2010, which Guus never did. I think Bert improved Ange's team quite a lot too, but just didn't have the firepower in the attacking three in Russia.
|
|
|
|
|
Decentric 2
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.9K,
Visits: 0
|
To further scrutinise Leckie today, Irvine put a defence splitting, eye of the needle pass through to him, which broke the line.
He had the defender's right side wide open into space if Matt had dribbled on the left side of his own body. Instead, Leckie turned right into a cul de sac and lost the ball. He just seems to have no penalty box instincts. if Matt had dribbled left, he would have had a one on one with the Omani keeper, but in all probability would have missed anyway.
A Socceroo who was dangerous at the Asian Cup 2018, was Ikonomides, who excelled at taking players on and ball carrying in and around the pen box.
|
|
|
|
|
charlied
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.3K,
Visits: 0
|
If we have to playoff against the South Americans, which we will, Johnson must go the full Lowy, fire Arnold, and bust the bank to bring in a Hiddinck level super coach.
|
|
|
|
|
Decentric 2
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.9K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+xMatthew Leckie Why haven't Holger, Ange, Bert or Arnie converted him to a RB? Like Kruse, he is a terrific runner off the ball, in opening offensive passing lanes, but Leckie has had 10 years of missing goal after goal after goal for the national team. 70 games for 13 goals! This must be the worst goal scoring conversion record of any player in the front three for Australia since we were admitted to Asian Confed in 2005! Even worse, Matt has played some games as a central striker! This is approx 1 goal scored for every 7 games - simply appalling! If he had a terrific number of assists, or assists that could have a probability for scoring goals, it would compensate a lot. I doubt he has though? At best he may have created some decoy dummy runs. All Socceroo coaches have collectively responsibility for playing Leckie as a forward. If he is a terrific team person, or leader, and the team operates better with him around it, with the rest of his skill set, he is a Right Back - not a Winger or Central Striker. To have one player in a team's attacking front three, who has such a low conversion rate in scoring goals, puts massive pressure on the Socceroos when we dominate periods of play and we don't score. Against Oman, he wasn't as guilty as usual, and played a few potential assists. However, if he had a strike rate of Maclaren, Duke, Mabil, Boyle, etc, we would have already qualified by now! Notwithstanding, despite all his talents, converting goals is not one of them. The stats don't lie. Goodwin playing as a winger, Leckie's sub, in hardly any minutes for the Socceroos, scored a classy goal against Vietnam. Matt has never scored a goal like this in 10 years. Running hard at the keeper at high speed, Goodwin chipped it over his head . Maybe Bert can be excused, but how has coach after coach played Leckie in the front three for Australia? I'd surmise he would be one of the greatest RBs Australia has had, if someone had copied Guus, or Pim, and swapped Emerton and Wilkshire as RB and RW. Leckie has very little composure around goal, particularly against better opposition . At age 30 - 31, Leckie is not going to improve his scoring ability. He might score the odd goal against minnows, but he has been really found wanting against tougher option in converting goals. That is despite him having a better game today, not missing as many chances as usual. kruse had 5 from 75! Which is worse, but Leckie's total is also a game losing conversion rate. I'm amazed Kruse played so many games?
|
|
|
|
|
Decentric 2
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.9K,
Visits: 0
|
+xDoes anyone care to acknowledge how good the Omani’s were? This was one of the most intense games the Socceroos have faced in some time. The players were very skilled, well organised, mentally tough, and gave the Socceroos a good game. I feel as though much of that has been true for sometime, but the mental toughness of these teams nowadays has made them much more competitive. Agree that Oman, like many Asian teams have improved their defensive organisation and last line defending. A further issue, is that most Asian teams, with our introduction into Asia, have become far more adept and organised in defending crosses. Most Asian opposition struggled to defend crosses when we joined the AFC in 2005.
Australia is at fault for overly relying on crosses to score. What he we have not improved sufficiently, is to try and improve to be as good as Japan at central attacking interplay on the edge of the penalty box.
And, Asian teams, not just Oman, have defended better against the central attacking interplay mode of attack too.
Most Asian teams have improved immeasurably in tactics, communication and organisation when the other team has the ball, plus improving in body on body physicality. We haven't improved our weaknesses to the same extent.
|
|
|
|
|
grazorblade
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 17K,
Visits: 0
|
+xMatthew Leckie Why haven't Holger, Ange, Bert or Arnie converted him to a RB? Like Kruse, he is a terrific runner off the ball, in opening offensive passing lanes, but Leckie has had 10 years of missing goal after goal after goal for the national team. 70 games for 13 goals! This must be the worst goal scoring conversion record of any player in the front three for Australia since we were admitted to Asian Confed in 2005! Even worse, Matt has played some games as a central striker! This is approx 1 goal scored for every 7 games - simply appalling! If he had a terrific number of assists, or assists that could have a probability for scoring goals, it would compensate a lot. I doubt he has though? At best he may have created some decoy dummy runs. All Socceroo coaches have collectively responsibility for playing Leckie as a forward. If he is a terrific team person, or leader, and the team operates better with him around it, with the rest of his skill set, he is a Right Back - not a Winger or Central Striker. To have one player in a team's attacking front three, who has such a low conversion rate in scoring goals, puts massive pressure on the Socceroos when we dominate periods of play and we don't score. Against Oman, he wasn't as guilty as usual, and played a few potential assists. However, if he had a strike rate of Maclaren, Duke, Mabil, Boyle, etc, we would have already qualified by now! Notwithstanding, despite all his talents, converting goals is not one of them. The stats don't lie. Goodwin playing as a winger, Leckie's sub, in hardly any minutes for the Socceroos, scored a classy goal against Vietnam. Matt has never scored a goal like this in 10 years. Running hard at the keeper at high speed, Goodwin chipped it over his head . Maybe Bert can be excused, but how has coach after coach played Leckie in the front three for Australia? I'd surmise he would be one of the greatest RBs Australia has had, if someone had copied Guus, or Pim, and swapped Emerton and Wilkshire as RB and RW. Leckie has very little composure around goal, particularly against better opposition . At age 30 - 31, Leckie is not going to improve his scoring ability. He might score the odd goal against minnows, but he has been really found wanting against tougher option in converting goals. That is despite him having a better game today, not missing as many chances as usual. kruse had 5 from 75!
|
|
|
|
|
Monoethnic Social Club
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 9.7K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+xI've been fantasising about having Atkinson, Elder, McGree, Hrustic and even potentially Juric on the pitch with some quick bite. Brook had the right idea in his recent games. Piscopo seems to be fading. Just of Leckie stumbling when others regularly beat the man like Ikon. There is too much being made of Hrustic. I'm sorry but he does not have a football brain at all, particularly in the defensive half. His technique on the ball is very good in attack, but he makes awful decisions. It is not as decisive in the attacking third, where players can afford to make mistakes. At best he is a candidate to replace Leckie as a winger. And this is why we can't have nice things....... This stubborn insistence (nothing personal Decentric as I gather this is a coaching philosophy of the NC?) on the high push, the defensive duties of the creative AM,.... We just don't have the technical ability OR the players to pull it off... Whats wrong with the simple ways, a false 9 or even a "heaven forbid" playmaking #10 that starts the attack from the centre circle? Look at Vietnam in the China game.... simple. Simple football, no pressing for 90 minutes, possession is everything.... just simple build up play......
|
|
|
|
|
Monoethnic Social Club
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 9.7K,
Visits: 0
|
+x+xThis might be the kick up the ass the game needs and if we are honest we don't deserve to go to the WC. We've noted the structural issues the game has had for over a decade yet no-one has bothered to put any attention to them. We've riden our luck with previous WC campaigns and while the other Asian nations have invested significantly at improving we've seriously stagnated and could arguably say we've gone backwards. We have a manager at the helm whose horribly underperformed at x2 Asian Cups and expected a different result in a challenging group? You reap what you sow and this one has been bottling up underneath the surface for sometime and I don't think anyone here is too shocked of where we are currently at In previous cycles I absolutely hated the idea of missing out on a World Cup to instigate change, thinking any tangible long term benefit would be greatly outweighed by the negative ie financial losses/decline of spectator interest etc. I think you are right now though. Something has to change and only missing out on a World Cup is likely to generate enough heat. My fear is though, with the increase in teams to 48 from 2026 onward, mediocrity will be rewarded and even a Socceroos side weaker than the current squad will qualify in a cakewalk. I know I loathe the FFA and APL and blah blah plastic franchises and whatever but NEVER in my life have I hoped we wouldn't qualify for a world cup......However this time round I agree with you both... not because I believe any change will be made to the game here, they'll make their money off the Catalina Wine Mixer ( oooops meant WWC) and back to selling franchises licenses they'll go.. No I hope we don't go to Qatar because we will be absolutely humiliated....cricket scores .... has anyone been watching Sth American and European qualifiers?
|
|
|
|
|
Decentric 2
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.9K,
Visits: 0
|
+xI've been fantasising about having Atkinson, Elder, McGree, Hrustic and even potentially Juric on the pitch with some quick bite. Brook had the right idea in his recent games. Piscopo seems to be fading. Just of Leckie stumbling when others regularly beat the man like Ikon. There is too much being made of Hrustic. I'm sorry but he does not have a football brain at all, particularly in the defensive half. His technique on the ball is very good in attack, but he makes awful decisions. It is not as decisive in the attacking third, where players can afford to make mistakes. At best he is a candidate to replace Leckie as a winger.
|
|
|
|
|
johnszasz
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 26K,
Visits: 0
|
About Bosnich vs Oman all those years ago. It's the slow play that kills me. There's not even a hint of going fast and trying to outstretch the opponent. Most goals come from their set play errors or the better ones are when we go for it when space allows.
Boyle's goal vs China, Mooy's last night to a smaller extent. The quicker movement against Japan saw some chances. I think I'd be more bitterly disappointed if we'd let many chances go begging but we hardly create them.
I've been fantasising about having Atkinson, Elder, McGree, Hrustic and even potentially Juric on the pitch with some quick bite. Brook had the right idea in his recent games. Piscopo seems to be fading. Just of Leckie stumbling when others regularly beat the man like Ikon.
|
|
|
|