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Socceroos vs Canada/USA Oct 25

Midfielder said:
Seems Popa is casting a wide net .... as many have posted in the world cup squad thread that we have 3 to 4 players for every position.

IMO Bos & Jackson are the only players on the plane to the WC..... no one else can assume they are going ....

I actually can't think of a time when an Australian coach has had this much talent available.... huge credit to unnamed coaches over the past say 20 to 25 years who have developed the talent we have and if we look at the under 20 side they appear to continue the improvement cycle...
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Yes we have a lot of depth, but don't have that stand out (Dukes or Harry).
 
Maybe there is a bit to play out with this squad, in terms of the players named and the players who actually turn up and play. Too many players named not getting sufficient game time to make this seem real. Maybe I'm just being cynical.
 
I wonder if some of these players with little game time have been picked, because Poppa rates them but wants to see them get game time to create possible January moves.

The Robertson situation reminds me a little of when Kewell shifted from the heights at Leeds when he wasn’t always available for Oz, to the period where his club career and injuries didn’t go as well and at times it felt like he was playing for the Roos more than his club.
 
Robertson hasn't been playing but can't deny his quality when he does play, at his best he's one of our best midfielders. He doesn't even make the match-day squad for Cardiff, so maybe something else is going on but he was great when he was playing last season and the season before for Portsmouth, one of the best young midfielders in the league.

Still time for him to improve his situation ahead of the World Cup, just good to have a look at him this window.
 
Urm a few questionable selections in this squad.

LWB, no cover for Bos except maybe Rowles?

Wingers, happy with Irankunda.

Boyle, hasn't been the same player Graham Arnold naturalized for some time (despite club form)

Hrustic, is a deep or advanced playmaker, wouldn't be on my radar for RW.

Arzani, a luxury/xfactor pick at a stretch (if he had the minutes in his legs)

Metcalfe, many rave about him on here, he makes my squad but not as an attacking option.

Centre Forward
D'agostino, I guess could make the WC squad if in form.

Duke, thanks for the service but when are we going to move on from this guy?

Centre Mid, Devlin, apparently in great club form, from what I have seen (not much) he really suits Scottish contested football, great at breaking up play, distribution not so good.

Robertson, doubt will get minutes, guess Popa doing him a favour?
 
Bbouy said:
Robertson hasn't been playing but can't deny his quality when he does play, at his best he's one of our best midfielders. He doesn't even make the match-day squad for Cardiff, so maybe something else is going on but he was great when he was playing last season and the season before for Portsmouth, one of the best young midfielders in the league.

Still time for him to improve his situation ahead of the World Cup, just good to have a look at him this window.
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Did some research, seems like Robertson has been injured but also getting offers from other clubs which explains his absence. I guess it makes a lot more sense for Popa to take a punt on Robbo, knowing soon he'll be back to good form and consistent minutes. Beat the curve!
 
Some very interesting decisions. Good to see Robertson on the radar. Rowles nudging ahead as second LWB perhaps.

D'Agostino is a surprise. Duke back but I would've preferred Sapsford. Defence looks pretty much set.

So happy for Devlin.
 
Hi guys, long time lurker.

I’m wondering if the Triantis situation has been a bit of a wake up call for Football Australia. Segecic and Irankunda got called up for the NZ games after that. Frustrating Segecic didn’t get any minutes but at least it seems like their has been positive communication between both parties going forward.

Further to that, seems like we have convinced James Ovary to play for us, when it was looking like Scotland was his favoured option and now Robertson getting recalled, after it seemed like a massive falling out. Hopefully it’s an indication that a few lessons have been learnt and at the very least we are communicating a bit more effectively.

Anyway keep up the good work lads, this is the only source to find out anything on Australian football.
 
Robbos said:
Yep, this is how I saw it as well, Segecic already knew he was not selected, so in contact with Popa.
Robertson is interesting, Duke well I just don't understand, Maybe it's a farewell for his services.
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My view is everybody misunderstands Duke's place in the team (from the coaches perspective). He is a 50 cap incumbent. None of the other guys have done enough to outweigh his experience, his ability to press and the strength of his most recent socceroos performances. Botic, Carter and Yengi have not established themselves following their moves. Sapsford has started well and if he keeps up his performances he seems the most likely at this point.

Duke isn't getting a farewell match, he is on the plane as things stand at the moment, only behind Toure (who needs to maintain his fitness/form).

scooterw said:
Will be interesting to hear from Popa in the next squad announcement press conference on how the tide has turned relating to Robertson. If he can start playing regularly again he can certainly add that creativity we need.

Also I get Duke is a safe pick, and Popa probably feels a little indebted to him for his performance in the Saudi game, but geez surely we've moved on now, especially with some of the younger strikers coming through in Botic and Sapsford. On the bright side at least Popa didn't revert back to Brattan and Caceras :rolleyes:
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Barring injury / form, the Aliga guys will be back in November, Caceras, Behich, Borello and Velupillay.
 
The4MW said:
Perplexing would be the word I’d use.

I don’t mind the selection of Geria, great leadership and football experience.

Arzani is a weird one, not playing regularly in the League, but scoring a hat-trick against an amateur side in the cup winning 15-0 is clearly enough for Popa these days…

Mental that out of nowhere Popa has put the feelers out to Robbo… he’s accepted the call-up off the back of zero minutes for Cardiff in LEAGUE ONE. Great if he was playing regularly, but this just screams of desperation on Robbos part and a bit of desperation on our part to get him tied down, on the back of no form, and some agent spin in the wake of the Peru news.

Honestly I’d preferred to have seen Kalik get another look.
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Throw in Hrustic to that. If we needed lazy players that think they can do everything themselves then pick one - not two. I'd pick neither.
 
Duke has his handy aspects. A League players still out. I'm a little nervous for Goodwin but Popovic knows his quality.
 
Cunningstunt said:
My view is everybody misunderstands Duke's place in the team (from the coaches perspective). He is a 50 cap incumbent. None of the other guys have done enough to outweigh his experience, his ability to press and the strength of his most recent socceroos performances. Botic, Carter and Yengi have not established themselves following their moves. Sapsford has started well and if he keeps up his performances he seems the most likely at this point.

Duke isn't getting a farewell match, he is on the plane as things stand at the moment, only behind Toure (who needs to maintain his fitness/form).


Barring injury / form, the Aliga guys will be back in November, Caceras, Behich, Borello and Velupillay.
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Exactly right - Duke stays until someone better comes along assuming his fitness and form are better than alternatives. Toure has shown enough as long as he continues to be there as well. Borello I don't think warrants consideration except maybe out wide - probably not pushed off the ball as easily as Boyle - but not as skilful as well.
 
Wow robbo returning is huge

OBviously had a few niggles but started in the championship last year at the age of 21. Nothing to sneeze at and achieving that sort of level ahead of every othet cm we have

Luongo, sapsford and sega missing out my only disappointments
 
JS96 said:
Duke has his handy aspects. A League players still out. I'm a little nervous for Goodwin but Popovic knows his quality.
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My only problem with Goodwin is his combination with Bos. They seem to not combine very well. Bos to the right?
 
patjennings said:
Exactly right - Duke stays until someone better comes along assuming his fitness and form are better than alternatives. Toure has shown enough as long as he continues to be there as well. Borello I don't think warrants consideration except maybe out wide - probably not pushed off the ball as easily as Boyle - but not as skilful as well.
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I don't necessarily disagree with bringing alternatives in, but people shouldn't be surprised by Duke coming straight in.

patjennings said:
My only problem with Goodwin is his combination with Bos. They seem to not combine very well. Bos to the right?
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Goodwin would play on the right in this system I suspect, like the match against China I think?
 
The4MW said:
Perplexing would be the word I’d use.

I don’t mind the selection of Geria, great leadership and football experience.

Arzani is a weird one, not playing regularly in the League, but scoring a hat-trick against an amateur side in the cup winning 15-0 is clearly enough for Popa these days…

Mental that out of nowhere Popa has put the feelers out to Robbo… he’s accepted the call-up off the back of zero minutes for Cardiff in LEAGUE ONE. Great if he was playing regularly, but this just screams of desperation on Robbos part and a bit of desperation on our part to get him tied down, on the back of no form, and some agent spin in the wake of the Peru news.

Honestly I’d preferred to have seen Kalik get another look.
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Robertson injured, so that's why he hasn't played and was very good for large parts of last season for Cardiff in the CHAMPIONSHIP & very good for Portsmouth the season before when he was 19. He has the potential to be the best #8 for the Socceroos since Mooy
 
patjennings said:
Exactly right - Duke stays until someone better comes along assuming his fitness and form are better than alternatives. Toure has shown enough as long as he continues to be there as well. Borello I don't think warrants consideration except maybe out wide - probably not pushed off the ball as easily as Boyle - but not as skilful as well.
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I think Sapsford has shown enough to get a chance. D'Agostino back in is baffling. Botic still has last season's points. Popovic also likes to expose many in camp.

Despite lifting in form and fitness, Hrustic is fortunate.
 
patjennings said:
My only problem with Goodwin is his combination with Bos. They seem to not combine very well. Bos to the right?
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That's correct. They overlap and smother each other, so far at least. Other interesting combinations could be Behich and Bos together or have Bos as an inverted RWB. Bos is a baller and can slot in anywhere.
 
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