This is what I've been telling you all about the Roar - never realised you were exactly like me when it came to the national team. Fantastic, gang.

There's so many threads and posts about how we're 'suddenly' shit or 'not ready' for the World Cup - but why only coming out of the woodwork en masse when it's too late? Pim was never going to experiment to any great degree at any stage in the leadup.

The amount of realism sweeping through the ranks is encouraging, however - I don't think last place in this group will even be a disgrace. It's a pleasure to play on the biggest stage at all, and while it would be nice to continue, I don't think it's likely.

Of course, like most of you, I disagree with most of the things Pim has done while in charge. Not taking Carle is madness, for example - we have holding midfielders out the wazoo, and one and a half people that can create something. And as much as I'd like to be proven otherwise, I think it's realistic to expect that no plan b and no tactical flexibility from our coach will most likely lead to an early exit.

Does that make me a bad supporter? No. Does that make me "un-Australian" or somesuch? No. It just makes me realistic when it comes to supporting my teams. It's not pessimism, it's not setting yourself up for failure - it's just setting a level of expectation based on the evidence you have.

you can only make decisions based on the information at hand. stats, trends, fitness. pim needs to make those decisions based on this in order to choose the best squad possible, but saying that, there are always "favourites" which will be included regardless of performance.

hmm, reminds me of my old workplace...bastards.

anyway, as i mentioned in a previous post of mine, 05-06 was exstatic. you could feel it. the spark. the heart. the passion. it was there.

now, its all politics.

Edited by coco84: 26/5/2010 04:04:21 AM

Scouse, we are going to go through the entire World Cup UNDEFEATED!!!

Take my word on it, mate.

Where was that optimism last season Gaz? ;)

As Albert Camus once wrote: "All great journeys begin with one small, absurd step."

We're on our way!!! WooT!!!

Three 0-0s and non qualification for the next round ?

Now that's pessimism!

Seriously, I hope our games have some entertainment value, if only for the sake of bringing in the eggballers et al. it's a great chance for the game to grow at home, and hopefully Pim's tactics won't stop the boys putting on a show.

"and hopefully Pim's tactics won't stop the boys putting on a show."

That's why I'm so pessimistic, I think they will.

We're going ot the World Cup on back-to-back occasions, just be happy about it.

This isn't primary school. The objective is not to participate. results are what count. If you want the rest of the Australian public to start backing Football more then we need results, Wins 16 or better finish.

Pins bulky mid field and lone striker has failed against many opposition and our goals have often come from weird places (Milligan and Holman to say the least).

Serbia and Germany will play a precise and efficent counter attacking game that will own us if we do not sure up the back line and that means droping the old ginger one nut off at the nearest hotel.

Ghana are a different story but should not be underestermated.

Realism is what is needed and realistically we will be lucky to get what ever points we do. remember luck plays a vital role in any sporting event.

But, as you say, results are what count and Pim's methods have got us results.

That's been Pim's hope all along for South Africa, play a formation that floods the midefield with two defensive midfielders shielding the back and hope like fuck one of the other three midefield players can push on and score a goal.

The truth is we are not good enough to go toe to toe with Germany et al but we might be able to stifle them and hit them with a break from the midfield. The worry is the lack of a back up plan should we need to chase a game.

I think some people need to put themselves in Pim's shoes and ask what THEY would do?

OK, you could take Carle, McDonald, and 5 other strikers, and realistically you might get some very attractive qualification results... but in SA you will get hammered.

We are obviously going to be playing DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL (like it or not) against Germany, Serbia, Ghana and whoever comes afterwards. The key will be to keep them out and hope we get a lucky goal or two. It's not rocket science.

It might not be the prettiest football, it might get very ugly indeed, but it's our only option. Maybe if Messi and Torres had Aussie passports, things would be different.

I sure as hell would be playing a 3-5-2 with a back up plan of 4-4-2 and a 5-3-1 in case of a send off or injury toward the end.

Having only one game plan limits you to say the least.

With players like J Griffiths and R. Griffiths not even being considered because you look down on the league they play in is weak and pathetic especially when you take Moore who is clubless.

Rather than shaving a square peg to fit a round hole Pim should have been looking for round pegs. We may be barely getting wins but no one is convienced that the wins we have got are proof that we can play up in the big leagues with the Germans, Italians and Spanish.

With better fire power and options upfront you dont have to hope for a lucky goal you just have to wait.

I agree with you on Moore, but I wouldn't take either of the Griffith's over anyone in the 28.