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Socceroos vs Venezuela/ Colombia Nov 25

How should Australia do November?

  • European based camp

    Votes: 23 71.9%

  • Australian based camp

    Votes: 6 18.8%

  • Middle East based camp

    Votes: 2 6.3%

  • Nothing

    Votes: 1 3.1%
  • Total voters
    32
You know what you're going to get with Popovic football. Dour, defensive based system designed to stay in games for as long as possible and take any limited chances that may come your way. It's painful to watch but acceptable when you win. Lose and its simply rubbish and questionable. Real on the edge stuff. Let's face it he was a bargain bin appointment from a broke federation. But in saying this he did extremely well to steady the ship and get us to the WC. I don't understand him blooding so many no name youngsters in recent games. It's not a time for experiments 7 months out from a WC and maybe 2-3 more friendlies till then. He really should be playing his best 11 and know the 15-16 core players that he will be using in the WC. Get the team to really gel and the players to know their roles. We haven't got any real match winners or X factor players to turn to so must rely on a cohesive, well oiled unit to get the job done. We're neither at the moment. Recent games with so many new faces, so many substitutions has shown we're all over the place and have no idea how to create decent chances and break down defences especially when chasing a result. Columbia are top class and with the word that a virus went through the squad Popa gets a bit of a reprieve. 4 years ago most of us were questioning Arnold but in the end he did brilliantly with the players at his disposal. Wasn't pretty but he got his tactics right, luck went our way and the players really rose to the occasion. Hopefully same thing happens next year.
 
Middle Park said:
You know what you're going to get with Popovic football. Dour, defensive based system designed to stay in games for as long as possible and take any limited chances that may come your way. It's painful to watch but acceptable when you win. Lose and its simply rubbish and questionable. Real on the edge stuff. Let's face it he was a bargain bin appointment from a broke federation. But in saying this he did extremely well to steady the ship and get us to the WC. I don't understand him blooding so many no name youngsters in recent games. It's not a time for experiments 7 months out from a WC and maybe 2-3 more friendlies till then. He really should be playing his best 11 and know the 15-16 core players that he will be using in the WC. Get the team to really gel and the players to know their roles. We haven't got any real match winners or X factor players to turn to so must rely on a cohesive, well oiled unit to get the job done. We're neither at the moment. Recent games with so many new faces, so many substitutions has shown we're all over the place and have no idea how to create decent chances and break down defences especially when chasing a result. Columbia are top class and with the word that a virus went through the squad Popa gets a bit of a reprieve. 4 years ago most of us were questioning Arnold but in the end he did brilliantly with the players at his disposal. Wasn't pretty but he got his tactics right, luck went our way and the players really rose to the occasion. Hopefully same thing happens next year.
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welcome to the forum!
 
It's Popovic so we can't expect it but it was so disappointing to see the lack of proximity with our front 3. Just wasteful.

Our best hope it when the big names return is that we do what we want on the pitch. After NZ I thought the chains were off and attacking freedom was permitted but we've gone back.

Surely Popovic and the coaching team can see we need to strike.
 
Elder getting higher up was certainly evident. He's got to be number 2 behind Bos. System stifling any natural attacking intent.

Just gutted for Devlin. If we are to change coaches, it's got to happen now but the next window is March and it won't happen. Popovic has a massive job to do and he has to narrow his selections down.

This was dubbed something of an audition window and it's time to pick the absolute best in March.
 
Not to say someone new can't come in. Nisbet, forget it. Popovic hates this who showed him up at Victory.

Genreau a decent midfield shout. Need those to take the ball and move it forward.
 
Muz said:
We don't have a single player like Mooy or Bresh that turns with the ball in midfield and drives forward.
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We have a heap of competent midfielders but no-one in that class. It's our biggest weakness. We need to try different combos.
 
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ashtongate said:
I can remember in the 80s and 90s we used to attack full on from the kick off, through the likes of Patikas, Mitchell, Farina, Vidmar etc.
That was dismissed as naive.
So now we don't attack at all.
Perhaps we should return to the old way?
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I think we need to know our identity. It's un Australian not to attack aggressively. I think we can keep our defensive robustness, but we need to counter aggressively. When we go we need to go quick. Atm our transition is too slow.
 
Quicky said:
I think we need to know our identity. It's un Australian not to attack aggressively. I think we can keep our defensive robustness, but we need to counter aggressively. When we go we need to go quick. Atm our transition is too slow.
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Exactly and the players know this. Only Irvine and Behich are from the previous possession don't attack generation. The rest know and can go forward. FFS Popovic let them release themselves and go for it.

The formation looked alright in that our wing backs were in lots of space but I think Colombia knew their limitations and decided to hang narrow to keep tight on McGree and Metcalfe. Had we played Bos and Strain then I think they'd have been wary.

Miller was often in areas where I see a Metcalfe filling the RWB role. We won't see a back 4 so I think we need a versatile system that allows roaming in game.

Metcalfe at RWB and roaming would settle a lot of issues that we can then have 2 6's and a 10 and 2 strikers, maybe Toure and Irankunda who can also drift. Also a 6,8,10 spine wouldn't go astray. The dream was Triantis, Balard, Robertson.
 
Totally forgotten about Segecic. Another who'll probably be trolled and won't be allowed to attack.
 
Quicky said:
We have a heap of competent midfielders but no-one in that class. It's our biggest weakness. We need to try different combos.
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Oh no, Mooy was just next level. First man on the ball and thinking steps ahead. Maybe Genreau is the nearest and there's daylight between them.
 


1:55: The exact question 'open up the taps'. Popovic talks about Colombia's few first half chances and then the experience being gained by our attackers. He acknowledges there are moments in games and we can keep working on it. A very easy response that has reality but not giving much to a solution.
 
Popovic was asked whether Izzo is his number one and he said it was just a choice for tonight. He looked to the right. This has been debunked that someone is lying but you never know.
 
Question suggesting up to 30 squad members. Would be fun to be able to draw on so many but diluted once again. Paralysis by analysis. It'll be 26, maybe 27.
 
Quicky said:
We have a heap of competent midfielders but no-one in that class. It's our biggest weakness. We need to try different combos.
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The closest we have to Mooy would be Robertson - if he's any chance of making the squad, he has to pretty much start every game for Cardiff and dominate or get a transfer to a Championship team in January.
 
SocceroosFan said:
The closest we have to Mooy would be Robertson - if he's any chance of making the squad, he has to pretty much start every game for Cardiff and dominate or get a transfer to a Championship team in January.
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Won't happen, even if he did. Popa sees structured, sustain buildup as a disease. He would rather pick another DM to fit into his plan A, than incorporate players to explore a potential plan B.

Just a reminder this is the bloke who during the GF took off his striker whilst only one goal up.
 
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watching the replay

first 13 minutes have been excelent...why didn't we play like this the whole game haha
 
grazorblade said:
watching the replay

first 13 minutes have been excelent...why didn't we play like this the whole game haha
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Compared to Japan games I was glad we had the ball early and we moved it around and had spaces to use. Was surprised Colombia weren't so interested in the press. Later on they pressed and we started turning it over. The first 15 of some games in an easing in for both teams.

That chance for Toure within a minute albeit offside was the right idea. We just stopped after. I want to watch how we got so far up in order to win those free kicks.
 
JS96 said:
Compared to Japan games I was glad we had the ball early and we moved it around and had spaces to use. Was surprised Colombia weren't so interested in the press. Later on they pressed and we started turning it over. The first 15 of some games in an easing in for both teams.

That chance for Toure within a minute albeit offside was the right idea. We just stopped after. I want to watch how we got so far up in order to win those free kicks.
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Do u reckon we change or they change after 15

Last game the first 15 was good too
 
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