Loved him at Leeds. But seriously, he’s a system guy so would fail with our NT unless we’re all prepared to lose for two years while players learn his system. Failed to get Uruguay out of the group. Imagine if Poppa had failed to get out of a group with Cabo Verde and Saudi.🙄

Ange making some interesting decisions. Seems to be just in it for the money now. Who knows? Maybe cashing in now so he can pick and choose how to leave a legacy later. 🤷‍♂️

Not to forget Tiatto.

Seems like a good guy.

With Argentina 2-0 down, we were all sitting here thinking, gee Popa is actually a better coach than Scaloni …. oh no we weren’t. Of course not.

F That’s one more than most …

Someone said it earlier - focus on creating better players. If everyone in your first 11 is good enough for the top 5 leagues then you’re a chance of going deep in a WC. No World Cup has ever been won by a team of Championship level players regardless of the system or who’s got the best coach.

Shame Mark Jackson didn’t stick around. With a pedigree that includes Leeds Academy and U/23s under Bielsa and the triple with a young CCM squad, he’d have been an interesting option.

Anyone got any insights into Cabo Verde football philosophy, Technical Director, expectations of their FA, their football pyramid etc? They must have P&R? 😏 Apparently they have players from 14 countries, so I suspect they probably don’t worry much about their pyramid embracing a particular...

All other football codes seem to have this under control. You talk back to a ref or umpire you’re penalised further. You touch a ref or umpire you are either sent off or will be suspended later. Just implement post game reviews. Anyone who argues a decision, delays play, simulates injury...

Australia finished the WC equal with Paraguay for goals and ahead of Paraguay for shots, shots on target and xG. This is despite Paraguay playing an extra game. Paraguay finished last of 48 teams for possession and finished behind us in our group. We had identical results during regular time and...

He probably has the poorest record of any Australian coach. Has usually been sacked within months. Lasted just over a year at Crawley Town with a <40% win ratio. Doing ok in Vietnam at the moment, but the team is usually top 3.

The irony is if we’d won in 2006 history would say we beat a 10- man, mediocre Italian side.😏

2006 is more disappointing for me. Golden generation (all playing in top leagues) playing against 10 men and let them score. An Australian coach would have been attacked mercilessly for the negative tactics in the last 15 minutes …

Uruguay possibly wishing they had Popa instead of Bielsa … someone who could get them out of their group at least.😏

Agree, but it’s a better indication than just randomly claiming our players are better than they are.

Was that the Venables that gave up a two goal lead to Iran? I’m sure everyone would have loved us to have Bielsa or Nagelsmith or Koeman instead of Popa. Just saying that money you pay a coach doesn’t necessarily get you the results you expect.

I agree. The original post claimed that Popa had achieved less than the sum of the parts. I disagreed.🤷‍♂️

Are you suggesting our squad is better than Turkey’s? The US?

You are correct. I didn’t say that. Well done. 🏆

Meant ACL

I’m basing my assessment on quantified data that indicates our ‘parts’ aren’t as good as other teams’ ‘parts’.

I didn’t say anything about perennial winner. You’re confusing me with someone else.

That is a major tournament at international level. I think you mean, you don’t get that in one off knockout games. But your implication is that Popa has been able to adjust when needed.

I’m just trying to understand the way you rate managers … having stated Popa is out of his depth.

Performing to the sum of our parts would have had us losing every game in the group stages. The squads of our opponents are all more highly valued than ours.

Asian Cup?

Where would you rate Nagelsmith? Unable to get that German squad beyond the last 32? Where would you rate Bielsa? Unable to get 16th ranked Uruguay out of the group stages.

Popa’s not an idiot. My only real criticism of the lineup for Egypt was again wasting Ira at 9. We scored twice against Turkey yet never played that formation again? Other than that, my only gripe is that we didn’t push on to win in regular time and instead seemed to play for pens.

The style against Paraguay was spot on in my view. We needed to draw that game. There was zero advantage in winning it. So we played to minimise the risk of losing. Against Egypt we had to win that game. If we’d had the absolute best penalty takers and penalty stopper and thought this was our...

Watch the game from half time till we scored and even 15 mins after. That period is not totally changing the system, it’s simply increasing our attacking intent Then see what happens after Popa takes Ira and Volpato off. Egypt come back into the game and we sit deeper and deeper. As Tommy Oar...

I’m really just saying we should have treated them as equals and tried to win the game, rather than play for penalties.

Agree with the sentiment. Just saying “aiming for” and “expecting” are different. Like top golfers expect ‘par’ while aiming for ‘birdies’.

The system he implemented was the right one for the time and circumstances - to qualify and get us out of the group. 100% agree that he only had a short time with this team. If Volpato was part of the program for more than 2 weeks, the system might have been different. But, 1: This system...

“Expect” to make the last 16 is a bit arrogant for a side not ranked in the top 20. But we should expect to play a decent brand of football against the teams ranked around us, i.e. Paraguay and Egypt.

To be fair, I don’t think he’s ever had a good run in the team. He’s always been a bit player. In 15 or 20 minutes you only get 3 or 4 chances to make a difference.

For me, this is the biggest coaching failure. We had them on the ropes then took off our best routes to goal.

Yep. I agree. My message to Popa would be: “Popa, you did well getting us out of a pretty tough group. Congratulations. But, when it eventuated that Egypt was our opponent, the new expectation was that we’d try to win that game by outplaying them and scoring goals. Just when we seemed to be...

I don’t disagree in hindsight. But we would have slammed Popa if he’d done that and gone a goal down. Taking Ira and Volpato off when we were on top and bringing on less attacking options was a mistake. I would have loved to see Ira, Mabil, Hrustic with Volpato even for 10 minutes when we had...

Yet Korea and Iran didn’t even get out of their groups? Either their managers are worse than Popa or their team’s are worse than ours. 🤔

Given their squads, those managers did so much worse than Popa. In all cases, much lower ranked teams either beat them or out-qualified them. Not the case at all for us. But it’s interesting that a ‘rubbish’ manager like Popa outperformed Bielsa and his 16th ranked Uruguay, and equalled the...

You mean go with the plan that failed miserably against the US? 🤔

Agree. What team has ever had its 3 CBs taking penalties … after all playing 120 mins. And the idea that the players didn’t know who or what order before the match is totally bizarre.

Apparently the Italians got hammered by other countries in 2006 for their boring defensive football too ….

I’d say a pass … but I don’t think he’s the guy to get the best out of this current crop unless he’s prepared to learn and gets some better assistants. He clearly didn’t know what to do with Volpato and he was wrong to play Ira centrally. But many sides would be pleased to have such a well...

At Not celebrating… just pointing out that it’s not as bad as you paint. Then again, 52 years ago we made the final 16. Damn, we’ve gone backwards.

Qualified more easily in a tougher group, took the knockout match to extra time. Thank god you’re not English, German ir Italian … waiting for that improvement.

Yes, we raved about our fitness … but had to take our best attackers off after an hour …

You do remember we also were close to taking Argentina to extra time in 2022 with no flair players… go figure eh?

Seems that you see one team do well for a few games (while getting no further than us) and all of a sudden we’ve got to change our entire system to play like Cape Verde?

Only if you consider any team that has flair players as better than any team that doesn’t? Seems to be how you rate teams. A few past German and Italian teams were better than teams with flair players in my view. Obviously we have different opinions on what makes a top team.

No, we have some technically gifted players but I’d only classify Volpato and Irakunda as ‘flair’ players. And of course they can only play for 60 minutes… 😉

We’ve outperformed Germany over the past 3 world cups.

Jim Shoulder says “hold my glass”.

The most frustrating thing is that we played the right attacking formation against Turkey (with Ira wide) - it worked and then we never played it again. 😳 To be fair Cabo Verde only attacked when they went behind. They too were playing for pens. But against the Argies that is more understandable.

I’d question their professionalism if they can’t play 2 games in 8 days including quarter time drink breaks. Seriously, players in all other teams seem to be able to play 90 minutes.

A national team plays in a way to get the most out of the players it has. When you don’t do that you lose easily like us in 2014.

The original post said we should play like CV.

The original post was about playing with flair. They have more flair players. They also take better set pieces.🤷‍♂️

There was a header too.

We still had a never say die attitude… we just were happy to remain indefinitely on life support.

We don’t have the players to play like that. But we should at least have players who can take set pieces with quality.

Goal of the WC to date.

“We had 3 of our better attacking players out and ultimately 3 others couldn't last 90 mins.” Irankunda would last 90 if not expected to chase shadows all game. Volpato could easily have lasted 90 but Popa didn’t want him and Hrustic on the field together.

Shame he didn’t have the same commitment that we’re seeing from Cabo Verde strikers.

He’s the only one with a bit of mongrel.

I thought Aziz was good. Aggressive as always and looking to overlap.

I’d say that some senior players who were happy to let Herrington take a penalty under those circumstances should take a good look at themselves. As should the coaching staff. The only reason this hasn’t got every fan and commentator furious is that we missed 2.

Except we did threaten in the period leading up to our equaliser and were on top. That happened after Bos was off. Then we went defensive again, subbed off Volpato and Irakunda and spent the next 45 minutes playing for penalties.

Ryan would never have reached the Uruguayan penalties that schwarzer saved. Particularly the second one.

Interesting that although Schwarzer had a proven record saving penalties, Hiddink planned to swap him for the taller Kalac.

You’re looking at a guy who fills more of the space and you automatically think you’ve got to put it closer to the posts.

If only Popa had taken your missus out those fateful nights…..

It would have been worse if the young kid had missed the one that lost it for us.

I know it’s a lottery but any player would prefer facing a small keeper over a larger one.

Two of the four were virtually down the middle.😳

All we needed to do was keep playing like we did in the period we equalised. Leave Volpato on, swap Metcalfe for Hrustic and we’d have kept them on the run. Instead we let them back into it.

Agree. Ange is not the answer. But we need someone who can open up our attacking strengths. Bos, Volpato, Hrustik, Irukunda and Metcalfe are at least as good as Egypt’s attack … yet we didn’t show it.

Imagine how much worse it’d be if the young kid had actually lost the match for us.

He won the Asian Championship. He coached well for Turkey and Paraguay. But, I don’t think he’s the guy to get the most out of these players in the long term.

Actually looks like he told the CBs to knock it long and high …

Irvine talking about “them” when referencing future of NT. Sounds like he’s retiring from international football.

If 6 players want to take penalties who decides?

We did score our first goal in a WC knockout phase.

Why take off a keeper that’s brimming with confidence. Egyptian players would have feared Beach more than Ryan.

Yep, when you don’t try to win it and rely on the lottery.

It wasn’t shocking. But you don’t play for a pen shootout and then rely on your central defenders. Agree we didn’t deserve it.

You hope the coach would go “thanks for offering Lucas but I’ve seen how pressure gets to young people and you’re not taking it.”

Ryan not even close to any.

fancy making Herrington take a pen. Popa you goose.

Ryan will be sent off.

Popa providing more tactical advice for penalties than for the match. I suspect he’s telling them to sit back …

C’mon Maty. Make me eat humble pie. Please.

Has Ryan ever saved a penalty. I remember Brisbane easily knocking in 5 against CCM.

Popa you dick

How good would it be to have someone who can dribble at tired defenders? Oh that’s right, we took him off.

Why does Irvine never go forward.

Our subs look more tired than the guys that started.

Playing like he’s carrying an anvil.

Why does Toure not sprint to recover that? Lazy as f£#%.

And he wasn’t happy at being replaced. I like that in a player.

Call Elon Musk.

No Volpato, no ball being held up in the front half. That’s why it’s all in our defensive half.

Giving them too many chances to get into the box.

Apparently now intent is needed for a foul?

I see a mazy run by Behich ending with an unlikely goal. 😏

Going forward we need to find a way to have Hrustic and Volpato on the pitch at the same time. Hrustic needs to be there for his set pieces. Far superior to any others.

Are we all happy with Poppa selecting Beach over Ryan?

Irvine should have scored with that header. Probably not expecting a decent cross.

Fuck Trewin. Hopeless ball.

Yeah doesn’t inspire confidence at all.

Come on. We’ve got this.

Agree. The guy most likely to create a chance and to keep possession.

Oniel plays a great ball for the goal, then his next free is another rubbish floater.

Yep, I’d like to see both Volpato and Hrustic on.

Hope we keep going at them now. 🤞

Guy with the head knock forgot which end of the field he was at. Perfect header.

Why aren’t our corners like that?

Get Irvine off.

Yep just needed to be on Souttar’s head.

Oh that set piece we didn’t even know who was taking it.🙄

If Harry made that tackle you’d all be saying how strong but fair he is. 🙄

I dunno, maybe because Bos had a world class performance at RWB vs Paraguay? You didn’t watch that game?

Getting clattered into after a fair challenge. Just unlucky.

What are commentators and Okon talking about? That was not an illegal tackle… just unfortunate that Bos got caught in the slide through.

Ffs. How hard is it to put a corner on the penalty spot?

Yeah, a professional footballer can’t possibly play 2 games in 8 days.

Didn’t floating corners go out in Under 12s?

Another crap corner.

Thank god we have Volpato. Only decent outlet.

Yeah, should be 3 up by now …

In another post I say watch it at normal speed- if you can’t make up your mind in a couple of replays then it’s not obvious … obviously.

Don’t remove it, just use it to detect OBVIOUS errors.

VAR should only watch replays in normal time. If you can’t see an obvious error in 10 seconds then ref’s decision stands. As it is now, it’s a fu#£€n joke.

Would prefer to have a right footed CB on Messi.

… and we didn’t have a “lame exit” … so not sure what your point is.

I think that lack of consideration of intent is where it has gotten really frustrating. Essentially what occurred was a defender went to make a routine clearance and an attacker, who he wasn’t even looking at, placed his leg in a position between the ball and the defenders ‘swing of the foot’...

I get what you’re saying, but we didn’t have to beat Paraguay. This is tournament play. It’s about doing enough to progress. To do that you play to your strengths and you don’t take risks. In 2010 WC Spain scored only 8 goals in 7 games. I reckon not one Spaniard complained about them playing...

I think those three were already mature players when the went to Arsenal.

How can we not have anyone who can deliver a decent corner? Seriously. It’s a basic skill. Not even advanced. With Souttar in the team we should have been spending hours and hours perfecting corners.