I hope this isn't the case. Whose to say schwarzer isn't good enough for 2014. Until these players say they are not available for 2014 and if they are still better than these up and coming players, then play them.

I would still like for australia to give the asian cup a crack! Bring the younger players in and give them some game time but don't just commit suicide for the sake of brooding experience. mix it up is all i say. If the reserve keepers deserve the spot then so be it. put them in there for the experience. Calamity james in brad jones, pfft whatever mate.

I do agree the keepers need more experience at international level esp since they have been a fair distance from the form that schwarzer has been showing at club and international level. here's hoping these future number 1's show more consistency at their clubs.

------------Schwarzer----------
Williams-Milligan-Neill-Carney
------Wilkshire-Valeri----------
Emerton-------------------Kewell
------Kennedy------McDonald

nice Mr!

imo for the Asian Cup, we should field a team of players that will be available for 2014 ideally peaking at around 27/28. I would prefer Spiranovic to come in for Neil. he is our future. imo Kewell should retire from international football after the world cup

and i wouldn't mind seeing a young keeper being given the chance to play in the Asian Cup with a view to the future for 2014 and beyond, giving him that experience of meaningful cup matches in high pressure game situations. at the moment, most of our no.2's don't have this experience. we have our own version of calamity james (Brad Jones) and the young and inexperienced federici with one cap. eventually we'll need these guys to step up.

Wilkshire as DM played beautifully against Ireland - and there is a possibility for him to do that in the future. But we are light on for the right-hand wing back. Emerton is advanced in the formation. The best right back we have nowadays is Williams - what a gun game he had against Japan in Melbourne. So long story short - Wilkshire is rooted at RB until Williams is fit again.

We would walk in goals at the 2011 Asian Cup with this line-up;

------------Schwarzer----------
Williams-Milligan-Neill-Carney
------Wilkshire-Valeri----------
Emerton-------------------Kewell
------Kennedy------McDonald

there are only 3 things to say - mark, tackle, dont ball watch. Oh! a goal would be handy as well! People in Darwin could probably hear me during the game as I screamed "WTF are you doing!", "Man behind" etc, and I am in Cebu in the Philippines! I know my neighbours heard. Go 'roos!

Thats the spirit!

Lets just forget about the pain and focus on the next game. Tighten up the defence, focus on our short game and keep possession.

Get the ball in to open areas and get in to the right places for crosses and if all else fails Shoot! damn it!

I agree with Kieran in regards to Wilkshire.

Wilkshire needs to play in the centre of the park. Think back to possibly Australia's best game under Pim. The game against Ireland Wilkshire was in the centre of midfield, his passing and positioning and movement was a key ingredient to Australia's success.
I would also like to see Culina shifted to Right back, one his pace will be needed against Ghana, Right Back was where Culina played at PSV towards the end of his time in Holland.

After the Germany game, I can not see Pim playing the 442 system and he will revert to his usual 4231 plan of attack, sorry defence.

GK - Schwarzer
LB - Carney
CB - Moore
CB - Neil
RB - Culina
CDM - Wilkshire
CDM - Valeri
RW - Emerton
LW - Bresciano
CAM - Kewell
ST - Kennedy

Pim has to take the blame for the tactics for the Germany game, his squad selection and the lack of player development over the past three years. However regardless who was out there and in what formation the boys on the field need to take responsibility. We seemed to have lost the work ethic and 100% commitment and respect for each other that 2006 socceroos had under Guus. (I think the damn Kiwi's stole it off us)
On review of the Germany game, I noticed that when ever the Germans switched the play how often our midfield and defence would stop, relax, start to have a cuppa and then realise they needed to cover, too late.. Moore is slow on his feet and Lucas seemed to dropping to cover for moore through out the game, thus keeping the Germans onside. Chippers was scared to move forward and commit. We wanted to play the high line but we did not put any pressure on the German players particularly the ball carrier, which was another hallmark that Guus installed in the 2006 team. We need to pressure the other team moving them towards their own goal and into making a mistake.
I am sure Pim was wishing he had the services of Rhys Williams and Scott Mac at the cup. You cannot leave talent like that at home.
I am sure the Aussie boys will come out looking to avenge the Germany game. Let's hope Germany dominate the group and flog Serbia and Ghana.

Let's also hope that the socceroos thrashing from Germany does not effect our chances of hosting the 2022 World Cup.

Wilkshire plays his best either on the wing or in the centre of defence.

He's wasted as a fullback, as most attacking players that can cross are.

I'm not happy about Pim being the coach, but I am super glad that kieran isn't! Wilkshire certainly doesn't play central midfield, besides, Dinamo are running 10th in the Russian Premier league - hardly form we would be looking to replicate.

I would love to see the followg team against ghana:
GK - Schwarzer
LB - Carney
CB - Moore
CB - Neil
RB - Emerton
LW - Chipperfield (could interchange easily with Carney)
CDM - Wilkshere (where he actually plays in Russia)
CAM - Cullina (where he used to be a gun for PSV) - Replace with Holman at 60 mins
LW - Vidosic / Bresciano
ST - Kewell (Replace with Ruka for however long Kewell lasts, if he lasts the full game than replace Kennedy)
ST - Kennedy


What do you think about the FourFourTwo article Emerton Looks To Banish Pain?
SOCCEROO Brett Emerton is confident the Australians can use the pain of their German thrashing to drive them on and breathe new life into their World Cup dream.

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