It's an insulting opening paragraph. Do you mean to be? You always seem to denegrate the opinions of those that disagree with the National Team coach of the day by saying they don't know anything. It's intellectual superiority. You open a discussion like that and I bet you've already lost most of the people you're trying to communicate to. They'll be totally closed to anything you say subsequently even if you have some good points.
I'll ask you this: What do you think we could have done better at the World Cup?
I apologise if that is what you perceived, Q? Appreciate reading the passionate comments from you and everybody else in this thread, and others, even if I perceive you are collectively, overly harsh on Popa's tenure. It is simply a question of opinions. We should embrace diversity, but there isn't much Popa love in this thread.
Strong opinions are proffered, often with many agreeing in unison on G and G. It can be interpreted as group think. It is good that posters are so passionate about the Roos.
Even more so there have been some incredible opinions proffered with some pundits in the media, even with some former Socceroos. Also, some of the sage comments in the media, are then taken out of context by crap media, exemplified in Milligan and Oar's comprehensive views not being reported after what they identified as the Roos' strengths.
Harry Kewell, as a former great player, does not equate to being a great coach and analyst. To the best of my knowledge, HK has struggled to hold down any coaching job for a sustained period, and was even sacked from English Lower League positions. Also, to the best of my knowledge, Kewell has done a lot of his coach education in England, which tends to be inferior. Notwithstanding , HK makes some valid points. I wish Harry every success in the V League.
As to what should change.
I' m plagiarising Petar Petrov, a player scout who appeared on G and G Podcast as an esteemed guest some time ago. PP suggested the 5 at the back in our 5-4-1 in Ball Possession Opposition, in the back third of the pitch, needs to be converted into a 3-4-3 more quickly. I'll add, because of my KNVB training, in the Attacking Transition for Aus. This is the 6-10 second phase when a team regains possession. The Roos get into the defensive shape quickly in the Defensive Transitions comparatively, but Petar didn't say that, I did. Good work from Petar, and watching a few Roo replays, I agree.
I'll also plagiarise Tommy Oar. Whilst he lauded the Aus defensive structure, he suggested the team needs to improve the system in midfield and attack when we have the ball, apart from through balls played quickly to Irank and Bos, with opposition high defensive lines in accelerated attacks. Even Volpato, receiving in less space and with balls played to feet, is an outlet.
After watching the three top teams, technically, IMO, Spain, Portugal and France, despite Argentina having a lot of success, and England too, the passing lanes opened in confined spaces in midfield the central attacking third, and the ability to 1 and 2 touch pass in little time and space, has been extraordinary.
Spain is the best, but Portugal almost mirrored them. Spain only has 1 effective dribbler though - Yamal on the right. France has heaps of them.
Sadly, I don't think Metcalfe, Mabil, Irvine, Behich, Miller, can do this well enough to proceed past the first knockout rounds at a WC. Hrustic can, but is a liability when he doesn't have the ball at his feet.
We need the tyros Okon, Robertson, Sicluna, Bozinovski, Italiano, Bos, Irank, Toure to step up from where they currently are and move the ball faster than we currently do in possession, given the quality of opposition at WC knock out phase. I'll go into more detail in the Socceroo stats/analysis thread.
Briefly to try and emulate Spain's 1 touch passing and moving, opens up defences. Their players can often take 1 touch pass under pressure, whilst other teams need to take 2. Spanish, Portuguese and French players' body shape is extraordinary, as is their first touch under pressure. The current Roos are too far behind them ATM to progress into the last 16 and last 8.
You've mentioned before, taken to its logical conclusion, nobody should criticise the Aus coach of the day - in response to comments I've made. A point well made by you, Q. Although you've probably all had a good Popa bash over the last few weeks on here, as I've been busy watching WC replays!
On this forum, and 442/IS, I feel that both Arnie and Popa have been judged very harshly though. I agree the wheels fell off a bit for Arnie at the last Asian Cup and the first 2 games of the last round of WCQs, but a few months ago there were only about 3-5 posters on this forum who supported Popa as coach. Popa turned Aus's WCQ campaign around.
To his credit, Popa now has a team who turned out against Egypt, where if there had been no injuries, apart from Souttar and O'Neill, the rest would be under the age of 25. Popa has really renewed the team. Surely Popa deserves some love?
