Simple thread, what is our best 11 to take the pitch during the World Cup? Without wanting to sound knee jerk I think the Kiwi friendly taught us some important lessons and showed up some players that I just wouldn't feel comfortable with in the starting 11. Moore has really lost his touch and pace and despite his undoubted experience and leadership qualities I see him as a liability against better opposition in the World Cup. I also thought Grella put in a very poor display. I've been a supporter of his place in the 11 recently but I just don't think we can afford such an undisciplined performance in the WC. This is hardly a one off issue with Grella. I have also been sceptical about Kennedy considering Mertesacher and Vidic are just about the perfect defenders for him. But with McDonalds omission we hardly have a stack of quality strikers knocking on the selection door. With this in mind i'd like to an 11 like this: ---------------------Kennedy-------------------- ---------Kewell-------Cahill-------Bresciano------ ---------------Valeri--------Wilkshire------------ ----Chippers--------------------------Emerton--- ----------------Neill--------Williams------------- --------------------Schwarzer------------------- I think we'll see something like this: ---------------------Kennedy-------------------- ---------Kewell-------Cahill-------Emerton-------- ---------------Grella--------Culina---------------- ----Chippers--------------------------Wilkshire--- ----------------Neill--------Moore---------------- --------------------Schwarzer-------------------
For mine I'd Like to see: ---------------------Kewell-------------------- ----Rukavytsya-------Cahill-------Emerton------ ---------------Valeri--------Wilkshire------------ ----Chippers--------------------------Williams--- ------------Neill--------Beuchamp/ Lowry-------- --------------------Schwarzer------------------- With Kewell and Ruka given reign to swap positions, as will Emerton and Wilkshire. Subs: (I think it's 8??) Vidosic Culina Jedinak Kennedy Holman Beachamp/ Lowry Milligan Federici IMO leaving Spiranovic out has been Pim's biggest mistake so far. I guess we could put Williams in the Centre with Wilkshire Right and Jedinak or Culina as DM. Either way as long as Grella and Moore are left out it would be an improvement. Unfortunately I think we'll see something like this: ---------------------Kewell-------------------- ------Bresciano-------Cahill-------Emerton-------- ---------------Grella--------Culina---------------- ----Chippers--------------------------Wilkshire--- ----------------Neill--------Moore---------------- --------------------Schwarzer-------------------
We all know its going to be this barring any injuries. ---------------------Kewell-------------------- ------Bresciano-------Cahill-------Emerton-------- ---------------Grella--------Culina---------------- ----Chippers--------------------------Wilkshire--- ----------------Neill--------Moore---------------- --------------------Schwarzer------------------- So should I shut the thread down!
Actually thats spot on what Pim will play. I can't believe I forgot Kewell been alone up front towards the end of qualifying I guess I was hoping to see what other people would like to see as opposed to what we know is going to happen.
I'm just stirring you- I'd like to see some random lineups as well for novelty value. In the media thread I posted an article which discusses the first XI ages. All but two players are 30 or more, and Wilkshire is the "baby" at 28!
Well we all know Pim likes to play it safe. Williams at CB just is never going to happen but with Kisnorbo out, Spira not selected I honestly think he is our best option. I'd actually be happy with Pims exact 11 with Valeri in place of Grella and Williams in place of Moore. I'd take Beachamp over Moore at this stage I'd actually really like to see Vidosic up front on his own. He played this role for Nurnberg in the Bundesliga and looked really dangerous. Bresciano is another to have played this role for Palermo a few years ago I believe. I'd be happy with this: ---------------------Vidosic-------------------- ------Kewell----------Cahill-------Bresciano-------- ---------------Valeri--------Wilkshire---------------- ----Chippers--------------------------Emerton--- ----------------Neill--------Williams---------------- --------------------Schwarzer-------------------
I'd have him in the squad in case Neil is injured/ suspended, but Neil is already slow and Moore is even slower - the two of them in the CB positions = plenty of opportunities for the opposition.
I follow the ABCD strategy. Anyone But Craig Defending. I like Quicky's suggested formation, with maybe Emerton to start, Bresc moving over to the left, and Kewell as a sub. Harry seems to perform better off the bench these days, and we desperately lack depth in that department. Aloisi provided some much-needed punch in the second half back in '06.
I thought about making this it's own thread but thought it might as well go in here. Valeri vs. Jedinak Heres a hypothetical for you. It seems that most posters are in agreeance that they would not like to see Grella or Culina play in defensive midfield positions. Most also think that provided we play two defensive midfielders Wilkshire should be one. That leaves Valeri and Jedinak battling it out for the last position. I personally like Valeri because I think he is technically and defensively better than Jedinak. Jedinak does however provide a greater presence and his height could be very important defensively at the world cup particularly at set pieces (especially against the German and Serbs). He is also a greater goal scoring threat. Who would you choose and why?
I think for all his goal threat and size, Jedi is still rough around the edges and I can see him giving away more free kicks. It's nice to have the option of his long bombs but for me it has to be Valeri.
I thought this was an interesting article: Deja Vu for Socceroos. I remember Guus's parting words when he left the Socceroos job and he made a point of saying that we need to start over and find new players in the lead up to the next World Cup. I think it is the biggest indictment on Pim as coach that he has almost totally failed to do this. Plaudits for the job he has done getting us here but there are definitely areas of the team where I feel he could have afforded to blood more new players with an eye on the 22. Williams only got given one game at CB, Valeri should be our starting defensive midfielder, Spira was unsighted, Holland could have been utilised more. I have the feeling that this may leave a bad legacy for the next coach to take control of the Socceroos as there will be massive generational change.
Realistically Quicky, not too many of the young brigade have put their hands up. The ony realistic changes could be Moore and Grella getting the punt for Kisnorbo if not injured and then Beauchamp is next in line with no one else within coo-ee. Grella maybe getting dumped for Valeri, who hasn't come on as expected either. Obviously in a year or two Vidosic, Spira (if fit), Williams (if he can stop getting carded) will be our key fulltime younger players. Maybe it's a relection on the Youth system for a period more than on Pim.
totally correct. He has given plenty of chances yet few have been close to the level expected, not just for the national team but for the clubs the "young" generation play for. I think its a sign of the times when a player such as tommy oar is labeled "the next harry kewell" after one decent match for australia against low quality opposition. though a player of viduka or kewell's quality may not come around for another 10-15 years, players such as burns, spira, vidosic, djite, milligan, leijer, david williams etc should be getting close to the standard that emerton, neill, culina, grella etc have set. At least one or two of them, but none at all! Worrying times, even if we have a good run in SA
If I were to choose a starting XI based purely on the last two games, it would be: Code: ------------------------------- Kennedy ------------------------------ ------------------------------- Cahill ------------------------------- ---- Vidosic -------- Valeri --------- Culina --------- Kewell* ------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - Chipperfield ------- Neill -------- Beauchamp ------ Wilkshire ----- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Schwarzer ----------------------------- *Pending Kewell's fitness If Harry's not available, Bresciano would take the right wing position. Otherwise he'll be on the bench. He's been completely ineffective on the left, and Vidosic is much better there, has a lot more speed and shows much more determination to be on the ball. I'm not confident in Carney's consistency (especially with two consecutive poor performances), which is why Chippers and Dario get the start over him.
