2027 Asian Cup

[Decentric]

Good on him for improving in some areas but it's frustrating Popovic created a system to accommodate him. At least Italiano is better but I'd hoped we'd revert to a back 4 with Miller out. We kept going to him as our build up starter. Compare his passing to the world cup back 3.

He's woeful on the ball, mistimes tackles and is only good on the ground and in the air but that's an area we can sacrifice for a more nimble RWB. Having him in a back 3 is just asking for penalties.

I think he made really good runs to support ball carriers off the ball, had a great engine, and made good defensive runs.

He won a lot of 1v1s too.

For a forward he didn’t score many goals, or at times anticipate the attacking play in front of him.

Leckie scored an incredible goal to beat Denmark in the Qatar WC!

 

[Cunningstunt]

I think Italiano overtook him in the WC.

Sorry yes Italiano is with him. Probably depending on the profile of player you want. But all the other guys being talked about are a long way back.

This isn't to say you couldn't pick someone else. If the talent is there you can fast track them similar to Okon. But the idea we have moved past Miller, who is an every week starter in the championship, is delusional. We aren't that good yet.

 

[Decentric]

Sorry yes Italiano is with him. Probably depending on the profile of player you want. But all the other guys being talked about are a long way back.

This isn't to say you couldn't pick someone else. If the talent is there you can fast track them similar to Okon. But the idea we have moved past Miller, who is an every week starter in the championship, is delusional. We aren't that good yet.

One can compare skill sets though.

Players playing in higher quality leagues don’t always extrapolate to being better international players. It depends on the coach game plan, and the quality and strengths of their teammates, and, their ability to play and play cohesively with those teammates.

Miller is a better header in heading duels than Italiano, and, has more physical strength.

Italiano is better technically and more nimble on his feet, and proactively creates better passing lanes for teammates to pass to in build ups.

 

[DandyCasey]

I much prefer Italiano to be providing the width bombing forward over a centreback come right back however based on nothing but assumptions do believe Popa may prefer Miller defensively.

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

I much prefer Italiano to be providing the width bombing forward over a centreback come right back however based on nothing but assumptions do believe Popa may prefer Miller defensively.

Surely Popovic can name both Lewis Miller and Jacob Italiano in the Socceroos playing list for the 2027 Asian Cup then field them accordingly in the starting lineup depending on who would be the best fit against our opposition on a given matchday.

 

[DandyCasey]

Surely Popovic can name both Lewis Miller and Jacob Italiano in the Socceroos playing list for the 2027 Asian Cup then field them accordingly in the starting lineup depending on who would be the best fit against our opposition on a given matchday.

Obviously he can and would've done so for the world cup. Hopefully someone else stakes a claim, much happier for Miller to be third choice RWB and backup RCB.

 

[Quicky]

I much prefer Italiano to be providing the width bombing forward over a centreback come right back however based on nothing but assumptions do believe Popa may prefer Miller defensively.

I'll play devils advocate here: We haven't been threatening at set-pieces since Miller did his knee. He was dangerous with his head and pretty prolific at crossing the ball into the box albeit a bit wayward. Still he had end-product despite not looking pretty. I actually think he adds a different string to our bow.

 

[DandyCasey]

I'll play devils advocate here: We haven't been threatening at set-pieces since Miller did his knee. He was dangerous with his head and pretty prolific at crossing the ball into the box albeit a bit wayward. Still he had end-product despite not looking pretty. I actually think he adds a different string to our bow.

For mine it's a bit like playing Tete Yengi (who has better feet) as a winger in Scotland. Can do the job and can even put in a really good shift but is just to big bodied to be a natural fit for the position.

 

[Bunch_of_hacks]

Sorry yes Italiano is with him. Probably depending on the profile of player you want. But all the other guys being talked about are a long way back.

This isn't to say you couldn't pick someone else. If the talent is there you can fast track them similar to Okon. But the idea we have moved past Miller, who is an every week starter in the championship, is delusional. We aren't that good yet.

We have Bennie, Silvera and Borges who can play rwb and Overy whose considered a prodigy.

I like Miller but i dont think wing back is his best role, better as a plain RB or RCB in a three at the back.

 

[Quicky]

For mine it's a bit like playing Tete Yengi (who has better feet) as a winger in Scotland. Can do the job and can even put in a really good shift but is just to big bodied to be a natural fit for the position.

I get the anology and it's true to an extent. But we don't have any who are clearly better atm and Miller is effective and offers something unique offensively. I prefer Italiano but it's close. Until someone steps up and clearly progresses past him, i'm glad we have him.

 

[Bunch_of_hacks]

Others have mentioned them before I thought of them, but both Metcalfe and Villupillay have the skill sets for back up wing backs on either flank.

Anytime ive seen metcalfe at wingback hes been terrific. Issue is hes left footed and in this system the wingbacks are the only players providing width so ideally you want a right footer at RWB.

I think Metcalfe makes a fantastic backup option at LWB, as allows us to pick an extra winger, and he can play in several positions.

 

[Quicky]

Interesting watch. AC preview. Nit a fan of Poppa!

 

[Cunningstunt]

We have Bennie, Silvera and Borges who can play rwb and Overy whose considered a prodigy.

I like Miller but i dont think wing back is his best role, better as a plain RB or RCB in a three at the back.

RBR was okay at Wigan. FotMob and WhoScored both rated him 6.78 for the season. Which places him 35th and 41st respectively for all fullbacks/wingbacks in that league.
Bennie has never played there at club level, only a handful of times for the under 20s. He is still to establish himself as a starter.
Silvera earned good reviews at the start of last season but while playing on the left, not the right. They still brought in someone else ahead of him and then he got injured.
Overy has never played a match.

Any of these guys could be picked and the selection would be fine. But it would be on potential. None of them have gone past Miller through sheer weight of performances. All things being equal, at this stage, it isn't close.

 

[dr. bellows]

Assuming Popa sticks with the same formation, it'll be very interesting to see who he selects at rcf for the AC. Most likely Volpato and McGree but as it looks like McGree is continuing in the Championship, the odds of him getting injured again is fairly high. If he's out - and Irankunda is selected as one of the lcf - then I think it most likely will be between Adams and Milanovic for the second spot. I would have thought Hrustic is done now but with Popa you never know for sure. Adams I am familiar with but Milanovic I'm not as clear. Is he any good in the air? Did he ever take set-pieces at WSW in his previous spell there? In any case, Milanovic will need to regain form quickly after a disappointing time at Aberdeen.

 

[Bunch_of_hacks]

RBR was okay at Wigan. FotMob and WhoScored both rated him 6.78 for the season. Which places him 35th and 41st respectively for all fullbacks/wingbacks in that league.
Bennie has never played there at club level, only a handful of times for the under 20s. He is still to establish himself as a starter.
Silvera earned good reviews at the start of last season but while playing on the left, not the right. They still brought in someone else ahead of him and then he got injured.
Overy has never played a match.

Any of these guys could be picked and the selection would be fine. But it would be on potential. None of them have gone past Miller through sheer weight of performances. All things being equal, at this stage, it isn't close.

Im not saying any of them are the solution, only to try them out in hope of finding one.

Bennie has played several games as a right midfielder in a 442 which ostensibly is what our rwb in our system functions as anyway (at least in attack). It is entirely within his skillset for him to be played there despite having not technically having played there before! Exactly like it was for Leckie when Ange shifted him there in 2017 - ended up being his best spell in a socceroos shirt.

Blind freddy could see at the time that Leckie would be suited for it, in fact many ppl on this forum had suggested it b4 it happened. Of course, not saying Bennie will be success there, but its worth trying him him given his profile and the traits required fpr the RWB role in our system.

MIller despite having many great traits, imo is not a fit stylistically for our wingback roles and is a better fit as a RB in a back 4, or as a RCB in our 3 center backs.

He is simply not quick or nimble enough, and cannot dribble. Id have him as backup to Circati in our system.

 

[Bunch_of_hacks]

Assuming Popa sticks with the same formation, it'll be very interesting to see who he selects at rcf for the AC. Most likely Volpato and McGree but as it looks like McGree is continuing in the Championship, the odds of him getting injured again is fairly high. If he's out - and Irankunda is selected as one of the lcf - then I think it most likely will be between Adams and Milanovic for the second spot. I would have thought Hrustic is done now but with Popa you never know for sure. Adams I am familiar with but Milanovic I'm not as clear. Is he any good in the air? Did he ever take set-pieces at WSW in his previous spell there? In any case, Milanovic will need to regain form quickly after a disappointing time at

TIlio started 1st game of the season at Rapid Wien and if he continues a run of games youd imagine he'd be picked as the 3rd inside RW being left footed and very suited to that inside role with his close control and dribbling. Volpato and Mcgree clear 1 and 2.

As things currently stand it will be Irankunda and Kuol as the left inside wingers i bet, and Younis or Mabil as the third choice. Or maybe Younis picked above Kuol as 2nd choice.

Actually very excited about the wing options we have currently. Hopefully Arzani can finally get a run of games also.

 

[YdF]

One injury or red card can see a very quick change in keeper availability so Ryan should always be there. Not to mention his mentoring. Gauci is a reliable squad member and maybe Chapman among others will add to the depth.

Why should he be there. Popovic has no claim over his skill and his talents. Popovic shat in MR's nest and was lucky that PB performed quite admirably.

For some reason it would strike me as odd that a 33 yo (34 in April after the AC2027) goalkeeper would give up his #1 between the sticks at a LaLiga club to go and sit on the bench for a manager that publicly threw him under the bus. There goes his #1 position and who knows how long before he sees the #1 spot again.

How about the highly paid NT goalkeeping coach mentor the young ones. That is what he is paid for.

MR should consider his family's financial well being, as there are no guarantees of good paying work after football. Same for Izzo.

 

[JS96]

Why should he be there. Popovic has no claim over his skill and his talents. Popovic shat in MR's nest and was lucky that PB performed quite admirably.

For some reason it would strike me as odd that a 33 yo (34 in April after the AC2027) goalkeeper would give up his #1 between the sticks at a LaLiga club to go and sit on the bench for a manager that publicly threw him under the bus. There goes his #1 position and who knows how long before he sees the #1 spot again.

How about the highly paid NT goalkeeping coach mentor the young ones. That is what he is paid for.

MR should consider his family's financial well being, as there are no guarantees of good paying work after football. Same for Izzo.

We simply don't have the depth to just discard Ryan. The Levante departure was a little surprising as Ryan rated highest for the season but there are many factors that the club and player may want something else. If it's a money thing then the ME beckons. I'm not sure where he and his young family would fancy living. MLS perhaps or being content with another Belgium gig.

 

[YdF]

We simply don't have the depth to just discard Ryan. The Levante departure was a little surprising as Ryan rated highest for the season but there are many factors that the club and player may want something else. If it's a money thing then the ME beckons. I'm not sure where he and his young family would fancy living. MLS perhaps or being content with another Belgium gig.

We don't have the depth, that is for sure. Throwing your senior team statesman under the bus for your own bad decision. That is the poppa and juric way. So fuck them both and let that be their problem. Maybe they could call up Oliver Kalac .Trying to cement a first team spot at 33-34 yo should be his only concern NOT the NT. That boat has sailed and MR should now concern himself with his club career as his lifespan for good coin is fast diminishing.

 

[dr. bellows]

TIlio started 1st game of the season at Rapid Wien and if he continues a run of games youd imagine he'd be picked as the 3rd inside RW being left footed and very suited to that inside role with his close control and dribbling. Volpato and Mcgree clear 1 and 2.

As things currently stand it will be Irankunda and Kuol as the left inside wingers i bet, and Younis or Mabil as the third choice. Or maybe Younis picked above Kuol as 2nd choice.

Actually very excited about the wing options we have currently. Hopefully Arzani can finally get a run of games also.

I've always rated Tilio but Adams would be the best third choice for the AC, at this stage anyway. Apart from his outstanding form, he offers something that neither Milanovic or Tilio do, afaik - namely, consistent, good quality set-piece delivery. Our tall timber can make a difference at the AC provided they receive good delivery.