Article on Nathanael Blair's move, I get Danny Allsopp vibes with him. Outside chance at the National team if he can tidy up finishing. https://aapnews.aap.com.au/news/why-this-australian-striker-left-a-league-for-ukraine/nnonzHYo

What position?

The Scottish and some English don't rate Yengi and are ignorant towards the J-league.

Am I reading too much into Christian's comments on Popa here? Around the 5 minute mark. Keep it Simple.... Risk adverse ball retention is Popa's priority in our half, ala slow ball movement pretty much counter productive to catching opposition on a counter attack. Freedom around the box (Free...

I got a glimpe of what could have been in R16, Popa would've parked the bus from kickoff if we'd made it through. Defensive football is fine but parking the bus without an outlet is suicide.

Go Kuroda is still my first choice, language barrier or not. He has some Asian experience with Machida Zelvia punching above their weight, obviously knows our main competitors and tactically suits our strengths and standing in world football. Machida's 5221 formation and system is...

Ask him the marmite vs vegemite question, if he gets it right he's hired.

I have different PTSD..... Irankunda competing for header after header in the box.

Tete move now permanent.

So much depth in quality out wide, relative to other areas..... Please change to a back four Popa.

In this system Trewin either inverts into midfield or stays back maintain a back 3 while in posession. Robertson/Metcalfe/Bos make overlapping runs, Irvine with tactical flexibility to bomb forward with Trewin screening. Depth, Farrell actually adds to tactical flexibility if playing and fit.

He drifts into the box like an 8, times runs well and good in the air..... from memory

I always thought he was inconsistent? regardless playing him at number 6 proved to be genius.

Milligan got the best out of Max Burgess when no other coach could, he is well worth the punt if he can do the same with some of the other Newy signings. It could go horribly wrong though, not the same time to work with a national team vs club football which in my opinion is the biggest risk...

Milligan was player/coach at Southend utd as kind of a transition to coaching, He is inexperienced for the National role but on the flip side should he kick on we won't be able to pay his worth I wish Tommy Oar would kick on with his badges and have a go he talks allot of sense.

I reckon give Milligan the gig though if he can get a tune out of some of Newy's latest signings, like Patrick Wood.

Same, would he be on decent coin at Heidelberg? Regardless deserves a chance.

Giuseppe Bovalina played 45 minutes and scored in a Orebro v Ostersunds friendly.

Watching Haaland move up to the shoulders of the English centrebacks when England progress the ball well into their final third. Got to be some defensive and counter attacking value in that.

Guess I never jumped off the Mauragis hype train and need to have a look with fresh eyes.

Will go full Popa-apoplectic again if Rowles is the only backup. Rate K.Bos as pretty good bombing forward but not convinced defensively, Elder or Farrell would be my first choices if actually fit. Mauragis next in line, Lino if future upside in mind and or Overy who can also cover RWB.

Wonder if Behich makes the squad at 36? If not who is the heir apparent? Elder K. Bos Farrell Mauragis Lino Rowles Iredale Overy Any others?

For sure, you can't blame them as individuals.

Yeah but he went back to boyhood club Nth Geelong for a "reset" first

Sick to death of mercenaries, Patrick Wall dreamt of playing for Victory since age 6, spent time in the Nth Terrace. How was he not worth a scholarship punt?

Apparently Japan's development system has a heavy Brazilian influence. They are miles ahead of us and perhaps have it over many of the other top 20 nations in all but physical stature.

Lino back to Victory, I feel Bovalina has the quality to break into the MLS but the Swedish second tier looks a terrible standard.

Japan

I know McGree would likey start if fit but how scary good would this speed be on the counter... Could actually deal if Popa was held accountable for playing attacking players in attacking and "natural" positions.

Yeah has been unlucky, took a job managing in the Russian second division and the war broke out, was an assistant for a while, managed a club in the Philippines who I think went broke? lol. Now a TD at an Indonesian club.

Franco Lino, Bovalina and Younis my picks as bolters.

Ramon Tribulietx would be my cheap choice as a long term TD, although I am sure many, possibly better options out there.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/world-cup/is-that-enough-aussie-greats-plea-after-socceroos-disappointing-world-cup-exit/news-story/88dd82576677d7f453fdc5957f457e78?amp

Good enough to perform in any system that doesn't play a high line is all I will say.

Irankunda actually surprised me with his back to goal ability and I think could work in a big man/small man partnership up front. However playing him as an isolated target man when Paraguay were never likey to leave behind and then doubling down against the Egyptians was fucking stupid.

I do agree Popa's formation and system do not cater to Irankunda's natural position and it is frustrating. As for Bos? would 72% posession, 30 shots and a lead to defend against Turkiye have anything to do with that?

Not the sole reason but I can only surmise that Popa had a problem with Irankunda's positioning at LW in his meticulous low block..... He hinted something along those lines about him having to learn in the Turkiye post win interview. This fact played a part in Popa's disaster-class of decisions...

And Trewin is WC material at RWB?

Can only hope so going into the Asian Cup.

Heaps of changes, perhaps too many but I would say he didn't experiment enough in weak positions (like right wing back) including when Miller was fit.

Popa did well in qualifying, not so well now that he had time with the squad to perfect his low block.

They say football is a game of emotions but I can safely say never have I felt such overwhelming feelings of bewilderment during a football match, culminating in Ryan coming on as the precursor to Souttar walking up to take the first penalty kick and just a sinking feeling. Irankunda in a...

So glad I decided to work today and not stew over Popa's tactics and decisions.

Baffling decisions to the very end

Can we shit house a second goal

Bring Tete on ffs

Egypt not great and we are disjointed and frustrating

Pfft

Does Irankunda look gassed already?

I was thinking that as well, Metcalfe doesn't look threatening at all out wide

Popa needs to push Irankunda wide or drop Metcalfe into a midfield three and play two upfront

Irvine looking somewhat like an AFL player again

Think I would rather Volpato upfront, Egypt would do well to overload his side.

And toilet breaks to account for all the extra drinks breaks.

This squad is missing Dylan Scicluna's line breaking ability which would've also been useful in one of Popa's inverted attacking midfielder positions, he also has previous fill in right back experience at A-league and NPL level. Am confident the in-form and youthful exuberance of Younis would've...

Some decisions on the surface appear perplexing, my club Melbourne Victory for instance promoting 4 youth team players yet the only kid I thought could actually step up, and often the youth teams only outlet for the season, Patrick Wall released. Luca De Silva, a winger I thought certain to...

Yeah I am watching their group games, wouldn't be surprised to see Yengi start assuming Toure isn't 100%.