2026 World Cup Squad

[JS96]

Wonder how Younis would go at RWB? or at cutting inside from the left? Since Popas system doesn't accommodate traditional wingers.

If we have Circati at RCB and Balard or Devlin then there's enough fitness and awareness to have Younis roam. That's why I like Metcalfe in the role as he has the all round package and we can tweak our shape during match without making a sub.

 

[JS96]

Circati for example is playing up until May 24. I really don't have the time or energy (famous last words) to look at when everyone could arrive into camp but some will be available very soon and others have another month left.

Hopefully Circati can be granted early leave as Parma are mid table. I think the players also need at least a one week holiday in the Med to rest and then go again.

 

[grazorblade]

I think that's a fair point about Boyle but I'd hate to think we're pinning our hopes on his penalties. I felt he was alright against Cameroon with good runs, movement and passing.

It's our slow midfield that is the issue and if we can get Robertson playing and some urgency we'll look much better.

I guess if its "i lose 20 percent playing him but get a reliable pen taker which is one of our main avenues to goal" it might be a tricky tradeoff?

 

[grazorblade]

Circati for example is playing up until May 24. I really don't have the time or energy (famous last words) to look at when everyone could arrive into camp but some will be available very soon and others have another month left.

Hopefully Circati can be granted early leave as Parma are mid table. I think the players also need at least a one week holiday in the Med to rest and then go again.

Thats really unfortunate because we need him and souttar in camp together for an extended period

 

[JS96]

I guess if its "i lose 20 percent playing him but get a reliable pen taker which is one of our main avenues to goal" it might be a tricky tradeoff?

I've always felt that if we're prepared to name 5 penalty shoot out takers then there should always be at least one person confident to score one. What's stopping Circati putting his hand up if we win a pen?

Random players sometimes volunteer and just take care of it. All benefit of hindsight.

Irvine was taker 7 against Peru. I'd honestly be worried about some stepping up during a match but it shouldn't come to that as Italiano, Circati, Bos, Hrustic, Mabil, Boyle, Irankunda, Goodwin should all be capable.

Toure's recent miss has me questioning.

 

[JS96]

Thats really unfortunate because we need him and souttar in camp together for an extended period

And there's the difference which Popovic has stated he's aware of. Souttar is free as of next Sunday while Circati has ages to go. Oh I think I'll drawn up my 35 with availability dates now. I only have 30 teaching units to go over and partly prepare...

 

[Keeper66]

part of me wonders if boyle is kept as a specialist pen taker given our other options aren't great (thoguh irankunda shows potential but might be a bit young for poppa to trust to take a pen on the world cup stage)

a quarter of our world cup goals have been pentalties and we can't afford to miss one. Poppa might feel it is worth having a slightly weaker xi to have a reliable pen taker

mind you in camp you can find your most mentally strong player and develop their penalty taking. I'd like to see circati or souttar given they have both shown a lot of mental strength over the years

With respect Grazor, carrying a player in the starting eleven purely because he might be the best penalty taker, who otherwise shouldn't be there on his other merits, is one of the silliest justifications I've heard for selecting anyone. Arguably even sillier than selecting a player in a 26 man squad because he creates good vibes within the squad (interestingly, wasn't Arnold suggesting in the past that was part of the reason for selecting Boyle?).

 

[JS96]

Arnold said Boyle was good for the camp. Boyle has a decent finish in him if the chance presents itself. We're just too hesitant to shoot nor do we even creat the chances to begin with.

The main thing is every player should be coming off after a world cup match drenched in sweat. These half hearted efforts are not welcome.