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2026 World Cup Squad

grazorblade said:
He makes intercepts high up the pitch and can hit a difficult pass back inside when double teamed. Both actions opened up attacking chances for us
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Well said!

The stats I compile, from all the slow replays, always throw up surprises.

Sadly though, the stats are not good for either Boyle or Hrustic. Everybody else appears to have more strengths than weaknesses.

Having said this, both players are likely to look very good against mediocre teams.
 
hellas_johnny said:
Matthews if he continues playing every week in championship has to be picked. With popas formation he always takes 6 centre backs so barring injury you'd think it would be souttar Matthews circati Burgess rowells and degenek.
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I haven't done the last 20 mins of the Ven and Colombia games, with the latter replay disappearing from Paramount, but it might surprise some reading this, Trewin played very well as a CB in the 60- 80 % of those matches covered.

He is, along with Circati, the best CB ball player we have.
 
Decentric said:
Well said!

The stats I compile, from all the slow replays, always throw up surprises.

Sadly though, the stats are not good for either Boyle or Hrustic. Everybody else appears to have more strengths than weaknesses.

Having said this, both players are likely to look very good against mediocre teams.
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Boyle can be handy on his day but I also feel if we can release ourselves of the apparent automatic inclusion of some players, we'll have a much more competitive fight for playing time which will hopefully be shown on the pitch.

I feel we keep picking complacent regulars and it doesn't reward those who are in better form. I'd actually like Irvine to come on later to hold on for a win in some games.
 
JS96 said:
Boyle can be handy on his day but I also feel if we can release ourselves of the apparent automatic inclusion of some players, we'll have a much more competitive fight for playing time which will hopefully be shown on the pitch.

I feel we keep picking complacent regulars and it doesn't reward those who are in better form. I'd actually like Irvine to come on later to hold on for a win in some games.
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Irvine would be a great sub. Defends well. Has energy. Causes turn overs. Gets dangerous. His energy would be a weapon against a tiring team.
 
Quicky said:
All of Popovic's squads have selected 6 CBs so I think it's likely we'll see at least 5. He usually has 4 wing backs too.
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If Souttar is fit, do you think he can play in the same 11 as Burgess, even if we play with a back 3? I'm not sure if they are suitable for playing against the likes of Christian Pulisic or a Paraguay front third that primarily relies on pace.

I think the starting back 3 should be one of Souttar/Burgess, Circati, and one of Geria/Matthews
 
FeedTheBrox said:
I think the starting back 3 should be one of Souttar/Burgess, Circati, and one of Geria/Matthews
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I'd say Hayden Matthews comes into a starting back 3 ahead of Geria solely because we need a mix of experience and youth in the side and I think Matthews would be getting more game time at club level also.
 
rebelliousfeminist974 said:
I'd say Hayden Matthews comes into a starting back 3 ahead of Geria solely because we need a mix of experience and youth in the side and I think Matthews would be getting more game time at club level also.
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I think it'll be a horses for courses scenario, but history shows Popa prefers to go with experience. That Perth Glory team he took to the Premiers Plate was (from memory) the second oldest team in AL history. and we're not just talking about a WCQ. We're talking about the actual WC.

But you are right, J-League players need to be paying club football over the next 6 months. I'm sure Geria won't have any problems getting an AL loan spell.
 
JS96 said:
Boyle can be handy on his day but I also feel if we can release ourselves of the apparent automatic inclusion of some players, we'll have a much more competitive fight for playing time which will hopefully be shown on the pitch.

I feel we keep picking complacent regulars and it doesn't reward those who are in better form. I'd actually like Irvine to come on later to hold on for a win in some games.
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Have to admit I've been unfairly and overly critical of Irvine's slightly cumbersome, slow handling speed in two touch passing.

After having a close look at him against Colombia, in the first 53 mins of the game and when he was on the pitch, Irvine pretty well did everything else really well. That is a comprehensive range of diverse game based performance criteria. Fair play to him!

Boyle and Hrustic looked great against the quality of the Asian teams we played against in the previous WCQ rounds, before playing the last phase of WC against higher calibre opponents.
 
Mr Cleansheets said:
Have to say I was very impressed with Trewin in the recent derby. Went forward very well. Could play as a CB but could he turn into the new Triantis and become a Pirlo type DCM?
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I've been impressed with Trewin both as a CB and DM.

His toughest games have been in the ACL, not the Socceroos as CB ( in the approx 75% of games I've slowly analysed in games he has played), where when playing DM, his space has been reduced. Trewin has lost control of balls, I was hoping he wouldn't.

I also see him as the possible Socceroo dual CB/DM that Triantis may have been.
 
My squad, form and injury permitting.

GK Beach/Ryan/Izzo
RCB Miller/(Soutter or Degenak) CB Circati/Trewin LCB Burgess/Rowles
RWB Italiano/Bennie LWB Bos/(Silvera or Rodrigues)
DM O'Neil/Irvine DM Ballard/(Hrustic or Robertson or Nisbet)/Metcalfe
RW McGree/Segecic LW Irankunda/Velupillay/Kuol
CF Toure/Sapsford
Sub one other from above.

Irvine and Ryan automatically get in on international experience although realistically Behich and Boyle will get into Popas squad as well.

Not limited to but Miller, Rowles, Trewin, Metcalfe, Silvera have the advantage of covering multiple positions.

Yer got too much time on my hands, my current starting lineup, RWB still an experiment, two upfront and Metcalfe in behind to make it a midfield three.

---------------Beach
Miller-----Circati----Burgess
Rodrigues or Bennie-Irvine-Hrustic-Bos
---------------Metcalfe
---------Toure-Irankunda
 
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