JS96 said:

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.

Click to expand...

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!

Decentric said:

I think Italiano overtook him in the WC.

Click to expand...

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.

Cunningstunt said:

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.

Click to expand...

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.

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 said:

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.

Click to expand...

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.