Socceroos Thread

[Grantysghost]

Re: Socceroos Thread

South Korea beaten by Jordan. Shows how poor we were. There is a time for development and then there are tournaments. We should have won this tournament.

We kind of went the other way with imports which I hate, makes it more club like.

We have some amazing young talent coming through (Teague, Kuol, Irankunda) but maybe not in the positions Fornaroli and Boyle play.

I'm all for development.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Who were we omitted in favour of using the tournament as development?

Leckie should probably have been in, but has been injured and is 33. Maclaren has been a regular but has never really clicked at international level.

Arnold has done great at introducing depth to the squad, bringing in guys who can perform to a certain level and make us competitive, as well as giving the younger guys coming through (many of whom have good potential) a taste. We have a pretty level squad in terms of ability, but I fail to see who we could've picked that would've made us better, and the main guys that have the ceiling to do so are clearly in the developing camp (ie. Kuol, Irrankunda)

I see you know your judo well.

[JanLorMill]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Who were we omitted in favour of using the tournament as development?

Leckie should probably have been in, but has been injured and is 33. Maclaren has been a regular but has never really clicked at international level.

Arnold has done great at introducing depth to the squad, bringing in guys who can perform to a certain level and make us competitive, as well as giving the younger guys coming through (many of whom have good potential) a taste. We have a pretty level squad in terms of ability, but I fail to see who we could've picked that would've made us better, and the main guys that have the ceiling to do so are clearly in the developing camp (ie. Kuol, Irrankunda)

This tournament just showed us that level isn't very high at the moment.

No idea if these players were available or not but where was Cummings, Degenek, Hrustic, Karacic, Mabil or Wright as well as Leckie? 2 newish keepers. I believe Mooy retired and Maclaren isn't up to it. Thats a lot of experience missing.
In the squad you had Burgess, Bos, Miller, O'Neill, Gauci, Yengi and Silvera that all debuted in 2023
Jones debuted in 2024
Yazbek and Iredale haven't played yet
Fornaroli is old but he only debut in 2022.

[soupman]

Re: Socceroos Thread

This tournament just showed us that level isn't very high at the moment.

No idea if these players were available or not but where was Cummings, Degenek, Hrustic, Karacic, Mabil or Wright as well as Leckie? 2 newish keepers. I believe Mooy retired and Maclaren isn't up to it. Thats a lot of experience missing.
In the squad you had Burgess, Bos, Miller, O'Neill, Gauci, Yengi and Silvera that all debuted in 2023
Jones debuted in 2024
Yazbek and Iredale haven't played yet
Fornaroli is old but he only debut in 2022.

I don't full disagree with you, when i first saw the squad I was surprised that certain players were in/not in it.

Of the obvious guys, Karacic had been clubless since July until a few days ago, and from what I've seen is not very good.
Hrustic hasn't gotten any minutes this season and is presumably injured as he always is, Degenek no minutes, Strain injured, Cummings in India which I assume we just don't rate as a league and he isn't that good that he gets picked regardless, Wright is playing in Singapore I'm pretty sure, I think he's done, Mabil I'm not sure whats happening with.

I think some of the Olyroos guys are being held back to keep their clubs sweet for that, ie. Robertson, Volpato, Circati etc.

Those new guys are mostly good enough to just get in on merit, Burgess is competent, O'Neill is better than any other defensive mid we have aside from Baccus, Gauci is clearly our 2nd best keeper and only real good keeper that isn't super raw or at the end, Bos is already pushing our full strength best 11 in two positions, Yengi and Silvera are both getting minutes in a decent league.

I think we are a pretty level extended squad in terms of talent, so given the experienced blokes omitted largely have never been key players anyway it makes it hard to justify picking them over guys that have earnt their spot through good form or pushing themselves in challenging leagues.

[Axe Man]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Mabil and Leckie were both injured.

This article from late last year before the squad was selcected gives some good explanations about why certain players were likely or unlikely to be picked.

Olympics conundrum, injury hell could make or break Socceroos? Asian Cup dream: State of play

[JanLorMill]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Mabil and Leckie were both injured.

This article from late last year before the squad was selcected gives some good explanations about why certain players were likely or unlikely to be picked.

Olympics conundrum, injury hell could make or break Socceroos? Asian Cup dream: State of play

Leckie played the last 2? a-league games. He was captain, the in worth in taking even if he didn’t play is huge.

[Axe Man]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Leckie played the last 2? a-league games. He was captain, the in worth in taking even if he didn’t play is huge.

First game back last week after being out for 2 months (played 8 minutes). No way could he be selected and I would rather they give a young player the experience of being around the squad and not playing than bringing Leckie as a mascot.

[soupman]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Leckie played the last 2? a-league games. He was captain, the in worth in taking even if he didn’t play is huge.

1. And it was 16 minutes off the bench. And may have been coming back earlier than expected.

Also wingers is one area we are actually pretty good in,with Bos and Boyle both being good starters, Goodwin obviously has runs on the board, Silvera showing good things as is Yengi in England, and Metcalfe playing there in Germany (although being used primarily in the middle with Australia). Tilio is the questionable selection there with no real gametime and coming back from an ACL(?) but I expect he was called up when it became apparant Leckie was not likely to be able to contribute.

[JanLorMill]

Re: Socceroos Thread

First game back last week after being out for 2 months (played 8 minutes). No way could he be selected and I would rather they give a young player the experience of being around the squad and not playing than bringing Leckie as a mascot.

We had others in the squads that didn't get a run. They are the mascots. The overall performance at the tournament showed a lack of experience. It was a gamble that didn't work, it was only one spot for a probably your best player. Even if he was around the group his worth is huge.
The young guys got to experience getting knocked out of a tournament early and playing poorly against some football minnows.

[JanLorMill]

Re: Socceroos Thread

1. And it was 16 minutes off the bench. And may have been coming back earlier than expected.

Also wingers is one area we are actually pretty good in,with Bos and Boyle both being good starters, Goodwin obviously has runs on the board, Silvera showing good things as is Yengi in England, and Metcalfe playing there in Germany (although being used primarily in the middle with Australia). Tilio is the questionable selection there with no real gametime and coming back from an ACL(?) but I expect he was called up when it became apparant Leckie was not likely to be able to contribute.

Goodwin not starting was an issue, I have my doubts on Boyle and Bos might make it but is still a kid.

[Axe Man]

Re: Socceroos Thread

After 2 very poor results in World Cup qualifying vs Bahrain and Indonesia Graham Arnold has pulled the pin.

Will they sign a foreign coach this time?

[GVGjr]

Re: Socceroos Thread

After 2 very poor results in World Cup qualifying vs Bahrain and Indonesia Graham Arnold has pulled the pin.

Will they sign an foreign coach this time?

He's done a good job. Hasn't won over a lot of supporters but he's stuck at the job so well done Arnie

[Sedat]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Will they sign a foreign coach this time?

It will be someone from the Sydney soccer mafia who has the tick of approval from Andy Harper/Robbie Slater, etc..

Bet on Steve Corica or someone similar.

[Axe Man]

Re: Socceroos Thread

It will be someone from the Sydney soccer mafia who has the tick of approval from Andy Harper/Robbie Slater, etc..

Bet on Steve Corica or someone similar.

Tony Popovic? Kevin Muscat? John Aloisi?

Harry Kewell's managerial career has been a disaster so far so it will probably be him.

[JanLorMill]

Re: Socceroos Thread

He's done a good job. Hasn't won over a lot of supporters but he's stuck at the job so well done Arnie

I disagree strongly here. He was going backwards before very fortunately qualifying for the last World Cup. (Without the keepers gamesmanship he would have been sacked). Yes he had great tournament in Qatar in a strange WC where the fitter and well organised sides prospered more than ever.
He now leaves us in the middle of a campaign with poor results and our chances looking dim. Development has stagnated.
Should have quit after Qatar