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2026 World Cup Squad

Mr Cleansheets said:
Apart from the moment that cost a goal, I thought Degenek had a decent two matches.

Rowles looked dodgy... I'd like to see Matthews get a chance next.
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There was an incident in the second half where Circati clearly was marshalling the line of our defence and held it when the free kick was taken, only for Degenek to have stepped back a couple of metres and kept 3 or 4 NZers on side. As he was nearer the kick and they were across the field, a half decent kick would have had them on goal with no defence. I felt that this was symptomatic of his general play that he wasn't quite there in the game.
 
thought rowles was excellent, will be curios to watch the replay
 
His header was good, but he gave away possession with a few sloppy passes to nobody.
 
Kitwally said:
His header was good, but he gave away possession with a few sloppy passes to nobody.
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TBF so did Circati.I thought Rowles had a good game though lacking the impetus Bos gives down the left side.Rowles adds experience and I think Popa will have him in as a suad plauer as he can CB and LB
 
Any chance of Jacob Farrell getting Gametime at Pompey? Would be a squad LCB/LWB upgrade I would think. Maybe not a first choice at LWB but could be dangerous from a set piece or drifting into the box from LWB.
 
Kitwally said:
His header was good, but he gave away possession with a few sloppy passes to nobody.
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It wasnt his header that caught my eye, it was his anticipation, the way he would get the first step in before the nz winger, which nullified his disadvantage in speed. Thought he was very sound defensively

Also thought his long passes were accurate and useful. Certainly wouldnt start him before bos, but did pretty well imo
 
DandyCasey said:
Any chance of Jacob Farrell getting Gametime at Pompey? Would be a squad LCB/LWB upgrade I would think. Maybe not a first choice at LWB but could be dangerous from a set piece or drifting into the box from LWB.
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Im a little surprised he hasnt been playing more. Hoping his year of injuries hasnt killed his momentum
 
This was my June WC squad:

Ryan, Gauci, Izzo

Miller, Geria, Souttar, Circati, Burgess, Degenek, Rowles, Bos, Behich

Irvine, Metcalfe, Triantis, Balard, O'Neill, Yazbek, Teague

Goodwin, McGree, Boyle, Velupillay, Irankunda, Toure, Duke, Iredale

October, changes in bold:

Ryan, Gauci, Izzo

Miller, Geria, Souttar, Circati, Burgess, Degenek, Rowles, Bos, Elder

Irvine, Metcalfe, Balard, O'Neill, Yazbek, Hrustic, Robertson

Goodwin, McGree, Boyle, Irankunda, Toure, Segecic, Sapsford

Our formation is a massive problem as we must have reserves for RWB or LWB. If we don't, we end up playing someone like Rowles at LWB. RWB could be filled by Metcalfe or Irankunda. EVeryone listed can play CB except Bos so it's certainly a lot. 4 centre mids for a WC in negligent so we need a few more for the tank.

I think we could potentially omit Degenek as he's the least versatile and then Geria, Elder and Rowles offer that emergency coverage across the back. Also, I'D much rather have Hrustic, Arzani, Tilio or Sapsford to charge for a late goal than Duke, D'Agostino or Caceres. Our wiki depth is absolutey insane now. To think our arguably most intelligent footballer, Kalik, hasn't debuted, it something else.
 
In reference to discussions on the podcast. I think Silvera is a good shout because of his wing back play and be can play across the front 3. We need to be able to fold a few players into multiple areas and cut the less versatile ones like Boyle.

If we omit Geria and Boyle, Silvera can cover both those areas. In turn Miller could then play in the back 3 but we're already stacked there. The same goes for picking Elder. He's Geria on the left.

Of course injuries to Silvera and Miller in the tournament create issues but Metcalfe or Irankunda can fill the RWB roll. I don't think it's tempting fate.
 
Still my squad I think. Miller and Geria fine for both roles. Big issue is we don't play so many midfielders and had inside forwards last time.

Ryan, Gauci, Izzo

Miller, Geria, Souttar, Circati, Burgess, Degenek, Rowles, Bos, Elder

Irvine, Metcalfe, Balard, O'Neill, Yazbek, Hrustic, Robertson

Goodwin, McGree, Boyle, Irankunda, Toure, Segecic, Sapsford
 
JS96 said:
Still my squad I think. Miller and Geria fine for both roles. Big issue is we don't play so many midfielders and had inside forwards last time.

Ryan, Gauci, Izzo

Miller, Geria, Souttar, Circati, Burgess, Degenek, Rowles, Bos, Elder

Irvine, Metcalfe, Balard, O'Neill, Yazbek, Hrustic, Robertson

Goodwin, McGree, Boyle, Irankunda, Toure, Segecic, Sapsford
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My one change would be Nisbet who is always in the game over Hrustic who goes missing when needed.
 
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JS96 said:
Still my squad I think. Miller and Geria fine for both roles. Big issue is we don't play so many midfielders and had inside forwards last time.

Ryan, Gauci, Izzo

Miller, Geria, Souttar, Circati, Burgess, Degenek, Rowles, Bos, Elder

Irvine, Metcalfe, Balard, O'Neill, Yazbek, Hrustic, Robertson

Goodwin, McGree, Boyle, Irankunda, Toure, Segecic, Sapsford
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As long as Souttar is fit, I'd be tempted to select Trewin instead of Degenek. I think Degenek has been getting progressively worse over the past year. And I think I would replace Geria with Italiano.

Oh, and I would definitely not have Hrustic in there, replace him with whoever (Devlin, Nisbet, even Okon).
 
Keeper66 said:
As long as Souttar is fit, I'd be tempted to select Trewin instead of Degenek. I think Degenek has been getting progressively worse over the past year. And I think I would replace Geria with Italiano.

Oh, and I would definitely not have Hrustic in there, replace him with whoever (Devlin, Nisbet, even Okon).
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I'd hope for that. We need to make the right decisions albeit tough on the person but it's about actually delivering. Degenek was great in the qualifiers but then dropped off. Lack of game time.
 
Mr Cleansheets said:
Apart from the moment that cost a goal, I thought Degenek had a decent two matches.

Rowles looked dodgy... I'd like to see Matthews get a chance next.
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I haven't completed all my stats for the last 2 games against USA, Ven and Colombia, but Rowles has been outstanding defensively at Left Wing Back.

I'm not as sure against Colombia - yet, but every time he has played Left Wing Back he has dominated his direct opponents 1v1 against Canada and the Kiwis.

Deg has struggled against the big physical forwards - being outmuscled. If these big units haven't been on the pitch, he has done well as a central CB.

Having said this, already Trewin is shaping as having a superior skill set to Deg - jockeying, being more nimble on his feet, and a decidedly superior distributor to all other CBs we have, possibly apart from Circati. He just needs to put on some muscle!
 
Decentric said:
I haven't completed all my stats for the last 2 games against USA, Ven and Colombia, but Rowles has been outstanding defensively at Left Wing Back.

I'm not as sure against Colombia - yet, but every time he has played Left Wing Back he has dominated his direct opponents 1v1 against Canada and the Kiwis.

Deg has struggled against the big physical forwards - being outmuscled. If these big units haven't been on the pitch, he has done well as a central CB.

Having said this, already Trewin is shaping as having a superior skill set to Deg - jockeying, being more nimble on his feet, and a decidedly superior distributor to all other CBs we have, possibly apart from Circati. He just needs to put on some muscle!
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rowles looked a standout on the replay against columbia imo

not as good as bos, but pretty decent at finding difficult balls back inside as well as getting front position to intercept the ball. Despite not being too quick, he doesn't get beaten for speed since his first step is very early and accurate
 
Keeper66 said:
As long as Souttar is fit, I'd be tempted to select Trewin instead of Degenek. I think Degenek has been getting progressively worse over the past year. And I think I would replace Geria with Italiano.

Oh, and I would definitely not have Hrustic in there, replace him with whoever (Devlin, Nisbet, even Okon).
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Yes to all of those please!
 
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