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2026 World Cup Squad

Quicky said:
I think this needs to be the XI

Metcalfe - Toure - Irankunda
Irvine - Devlin ?
Bos --------------------------------Italiano
Herrington - Souttar - Circati
Ryan
​
I'm ambivalent about the 2nd midfielder. We don't have a good progressive passer there so I'd prefer to cover Irvine - who does have a high risk pass in him. Rely on the wing backs.

Herrington v Burgess is much of a muchness but Herrington has the potential to be something special and he and Circati help our ball progression more than our mids. They can step out.
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I like this considering who is in the squad at this point.
 
HonestSpursFan said:
What formation are we thinking we should use? Still five at the back or go with four or three?
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Popovic won't be changing but the that end I'd go lopsided with the expected back 5 and then omit a LW so Bos has that territory. Midfield of Devlin 6, Irvine 8 and Metcalfe as an 8-10. Irankunda on the right.
 
Japan meanwhile often play two attacking wingers in the wingback slot with a stacked midfield to support a back 3. We have the players to do this too as the mids won't neglect the defensive duties. This is why Balard was so important.
 
socceroosmad said:
You make it sound bad but if our midfield is our weak spot just bypass it altogether. It's not just us: in the EPL playing out from the back is no longer de rigeur; and the long ball is back!
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I think this is what we'll do. Our midfield is there to make their midfield miserable. We'll look at other avenues to progress the ball. What do they say? Pass through, pass over, pass around. We'll be doing the latter two.
 
Souttar can hit those tremendous diagonal cross field passes to wingers and wing backs which is one way we will attack.I am not sure if Circati can do like wise but if he can this would be a plus.Imagine Nestory running onto a diagonal pass which is hit by one of the CBs and has a low trajectory not one of those slow looping passes which give defenders time to get set.Obviously this tactic cannot be used all the time but mixing it up with judicious long passes from defenders and defensive midfielders over the top is another.If a long pass can isolate one of the opposition defenders with one of our attackers this is where the long ball comes into its own.
The problem for us is if our opponents play a low block in defence which I believe is often used by Paraguay.Without a creative passer our teams have always struggled against these defences..The Paraguay game is our last group game so Popa needs to work with the squad on how we break them down.
 
booney52 said:
Souttar can hit those tremendous diagonal cross field passes to wingers and wing backs which is one way we will attack.I am not sure if Circati can do like wise but if he can this would be a plus.Imagine Nestory running onto a diagonal pass which is hit by one of the CBs and has a low trajectory not one of those slow looping passes which give defenders time to get set.Obviously this tactic cannot be used all the time but mixing it up with judicious long passes from defenders and defensive midfielders over the top is another.If a long pass can isolate one of the opposition defenders with one of our attackers this is where the long ball comes into its own.
The problem for us is if our opponents play a low block in defence which I believe is often used by Paraguay.Without a creative passer our teams have always struggled against these defences..The Paraguay game is our last group game so Popa needs to work with the squad on how we break them down.
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Yeah suspect we are either driving out of defense or hoofing it out with 4 cbs with accurate long passes

We mostly look to possess the ball late in the halves when the press is a bit more tired
 
socceroosmad said:
You make it sound bad but if our midfield is our weak spot just bypass it altogether. It's not just us: in the EPL playing out from the back is no longer de rigeur; and the long ball is back!
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It is a problem though. If that is the only way you play it is very predictable to defend against as well as being under pressur e for most of the match in defence
 
Quicky said:
That's possible but won't happen with Popovic.
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The only reason why it won't happen with Popovic's tactical system is because the system is ultra-defensive and relies on parking the bus which forces our players to be disciplined as opposed to having a playmaker who can facilitate chance creation with the midfield.
 
NoMates said:
Guys state of origin is on, you missing a really great game with QLD in front. Packed out stadium id say the ratings will be a killer - should get your minds of the Socceroo's. Im not watching it but keep getting updates via friends on my phone. I mean its the greatest game of them all.
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What happened where now?
 
Do we reckon that they're taking photos of the 3 players that won't get into the final squad...?



If everyone included in this is a confirmed inclusion then that means the following are locked in:
  • Irvine
  • Borrello
  • Toure
  • Devlin
  • Souttar
 
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