Local Socceroo XI

[brett]

Australia based XI - we might need one or close to one for the WCQ so we might as well have some hypothetical fun.

GK: Danny (proved his worth in the Olyroos campaign)

RB: Dodd (for want of a better player here but would get forward)
CB: Moore (played the WC, much needed experience)
CB: Wilko (the Mariners have conceded so few goals since he moved central and he's mobile)
LB: Tiatto (when not mental, looks a quality player)
CDM: Milligan (did it at the Asian Cup)
CM: Muscat (what he adds can't be questioned)
CAM: Burns (time to shine, golden boy)
RF: Griffo (it has to be said, he is the most dangerous player in the comp at the moment)
LF: Archie (super-dangerous and at peak age, the A-League is lucky to have him)
ST: Aloisi (the best Australian player in the A-League)

Bench: Theo, Costanzo, Djite, NTS, Brosque
Squad: Reddy, Jedi, Musialik, Allsopp

'Work to do': Elrich, Colosimo

Hmmm?: Lazaridis, Foxe, Agostino, Ljubo

I believe it has the right balance of youth and experience. You could have guys like Rudan in there, Alagich at right back, but you need the mobility and enthusiasm of the younger crew to play against these Asian teams with nothing to lose over here.

A lot of this is a toss up and depends on current A-League form and fitness but I'd be interested to see if anyone would bring in players I have missed out on.

[Fish]

Id actually like to see if Theo could make the next step as well. He deserves a chance.

[Fish]

Im inclined to think he might select a few more of the Olyroos like Triosi and Leijer who were outstanding against Iraq.

It will add to the FFAs apparant plan of 25 games before the Olympics.
A lot comes down to availability to of the younger boys O/S not involved in first team games.I would like to see them get game time ahead of guys like Allsopp

[Bearinator]

wyomingtiger said:

Australia based XI - we might need one or close to one for the WCQ so we might as well have some hypothetical fun.

A lot of this is a toss up and depends on current A-League form and fitness but I'd be interested to see if anyone would bring in players I have missed out on.

Brett,

Id swap Theo to start ahead of Danny, no main reason, but maybe age over youth (Bolton is over it, its Theo's time)

Ognenovski to start some games ahead of Wilko, or Moore, when injured. He is big, would intimidate asian opponents, and is (not lightning, but still quite...) quick for a big man.

Other than that, there are obvious players that are always going to be a shout for the squad, McKay, Brosque, and if they can find some late season form, Agostino, even Owens?

[brett]

sjf said:

A lot comes down to availability to of the younger boys O/S not involved in first team games.I would like to see them get game time ahead of guys like Allsopp

I agree, but see thread title.

The local scene has a lot of Socceroos on the outer and lot of talented youngsters, and not many players at peak age (Aloisi, Archie, Dodd?) so the trick to something like this really is picking the balance and guessing which personalities with the older guys would come together well or which would clash or even get complacent.

[Jesus]

I think it is a pretty good squad.

[skilbeck]

I reckon Heff should be in there. He dealt with Griffiths well last week and if he had his form of a few weeks ago he would definitely be there and Im confident he will get some of that form back. plus there seems to be a shortage of left handed players in Bretts team and Heff would cover that well.

[dibo (pron. "DIB-OH")]

skilbeck said:

I reckon Heff should be in there. He dealt with Griffiths well last week and if he had his form of a few weeks ago he would definitely be there and Im confident he will get some of that form back. plus there seems to be a shortage of left handed players in Bretts team and Heff would cover that well.

i'd have him in the squad, purely for pace. if there was a particualrly quick right-sided attacker for the opposition i'd play him but all other things being equal i'd start tiatto - better tackle, better distribution, better organisation...

[jazasydneyfc]

-----------------------------------Vukovic

-----------------Ognenovski--Milligan--Moore
Zadkovich--------------------------------------------Heffernan?
-----------------------Musialik------McKay

-----Griffiths-----------------Aloisi???----------------Brosque

BENCH:
Bolton
Colosimo
Dodd
Burns
Djite

Kinda wanna go with Djite up front as I like the way he holds the ball up, but not enough experience when you look at those around him. Don't agree with Brett's ott assertion of Aloisi's skills but he fits the bill for the role and his experience is good there.

A number of CBs, and f*** all natural fullbacks. Guys like Wilkinson, Costanzo, Vargas could all fit in the XI, let alone the likes of Hyphen, Boogard, and Tarka (when fit). Lack of fullbacks mean wingbacks are used - I think Ruben is best at RWB (link up the play, keep away from the goalmouth, pace to burn), and Heff has the engine and left foot so he gets the nod.

Tiatto v.s. Heffernan is interesting. Would prolly take the former on merit but should he be playing for Aus any more? Does he have the engine for wingback?

Vukovic shades GK - but both Bolton and Theoklitos have been in very good form of late. Take your pick - none are a weakness at present.

Muscat's horribly out of form this year. DM role went to Musialik v.s. Colosimo - toss a coin. I took Musialik as he has more going forward, plus Colosimo is decent on the bench as he can fill in at SW if a defender is injured.

McKay was the interesting one. At first I had Burns in behind but I figured he's out of form as of late, plus it may be too attacking (given the forward line - where Brosque/Griffiths are compulsory atm) and the team would be left lightweight in midfield. McKay is left-footed, has the engine, can tackle and get forward... So I took him to link it up.

Djiturns is a decent sub combo to have.

[midfielder]

wyomingtiger said:

Australia based XI - we might need one or close to one for the WCQ so we might as well have some hypothetical fun.

GK: Danny (proved his worth in the Olyroos campaign)

RB: Dodd (for want of a better player here but would get forward)
CB: Moore (played the WC, much needed experience)
CB: Wilko (the Mariners have conceded so few goals since he moved central and he's mobile)
LB: Tiatto (when not mental, looks a quality player)
CDM: Milligan (did it at the Asian Cup)
CM: Muscat (what he adds can't be questioned)
CAM: Burns (time to shine, golden boy)
RF: Griffo (it has to be said, he is the most dangerous player in the comp at the moment)
LF: Archie (super-dangerous and at peak age, the A-League is lucky to have him)
ST: Aloisi (the best Australian player in the A-League)

Bench: Theo, Costanzo, Djite, NTS, Brosque
Squad: Reddy, Jedi, Musialik, Allsopp

'Work to do': Elrich, Colosimo.

I would not pick Tiatto- Heff to replace,
Muscat - Colosimo to replace,

You are playing a 4 3 3, experience says we will be playing 4 4 2 or 4 5 1. Because of the various systems I would have Bridge in the team.

[brett]

skillbeck: I put Tiatto at LB because he has been a good performer and adds the experience I talked about, but if I was going outright best LB in the league, imo it's Topor-Stanley, who is on my bench. Heff has been better positionally but still gets skinned occasionally. Jaza: I saw Tiatto in Orange at LB before he did a Muscat into midfield, and he basically ran their team from that position. Plenty to offer from there imo.

Jaza: fair call re Muscat. You either have him and build your team + dressing room around him, or you cut him altogether. It's tough to pick that one from the terraces. In saying that, your team looks horribly inexperienced. Aloisi has scored goals at the Confed Cup, the World Cup, the Asian Cup, and has scored two from the only decent cross and only decent pass we've given him since he's been at the Mariners. Don't see how you can doubt him. You've also omitted Archie, I can only assume by accident. Zadkovich is erratic and not YET in the best 15 Australian players here.

midfielder: the formation I used is pretty much what Baan put out the other week, in which Kewell was the second striker but drifting out wide left, as Archie would do in support of JA.

Apologies for hijacking the thread but felt I needed to further explain my picks.

[jazasydneyfc]

Do you put Archie ahead of Griffiths or Brosque in their present form? I wouldn't, and I wasn't so sure he could lead the line in that more central role (though maybe...)
And then does he go on the bench ahead of Djiturns? I'm an unashamed Djiturns fan - the combo of the two as much as the individuals.

Interesting on the experience. Moore and Aloisi are very experienced. And Aus is now at the point where Griffiths, Brosque, Heffernan and McKay aren't "young talent" - they're at the age range where they now are the team. Then factor in Millsy playing well beyond his 22yrs and I think it's all possible.

As for Zad I like him at wingback. Can't stand him in the final third, but he's great in transition. Dodd is another option there I suppose - but he's older and equally inconsistent.

Flat back four is a no-go for me with Australia - fullbacks get killed and it's a waste of such good CB options.

[roylaw]

Vukovic
North, Moore (capt) Milligan, Topor-Stanley
Colosimo, Musiliak, Sarkies
Griffiths, Aloisi, Brosque

Covic may get ahead of Vukovic. North has regularly been part of Socceroo squads. Moore experience and leadership is a must. Milligan has been the Socceroos and Olyroos most outstanding defender and has experience of Asia. Topor because of Asia experience but Heffernan in with a good shout (Socceroo squad member);
Colosimo regular in Socceroo squads, Musiliak highly rated by most judges and doesn't lose the ball; Sarkies, again because of Asia, and best dead ball specialist.
Griffiths picks himself. Aloisi current Socceroo and Brosque in better form than Thompson.
What chance Hutch and Jedi as smokies?

[marinermick]

north is rubbish and sarkies as deadball specialist is just a myth

he has only scored one goal from countless attempts and most of his deliveries from set pieces are average to say the least

rest of the team looks ok but would possible replace north with dujlbic and sarkies with mckay

[Jesus]

Agree that Jedi is a definate smokey for the team

[Bearinator]

The options are endless, but as always I can see Bolton getting a start and also a large part of the FC team

[Andy]

bearinator said:

The options are endless, but as always I can see Bolton getting a start and also a large part of the FC team

Do you reckon that is because Viddy is retired from international football?

[Bearinator]

andyj said:

bearinator said:

The options are endless, but as always I can see Bolton getting a start and also a large part of the FC team

Do you reckon that is because Viddy is retired from international football?

No, its because I reckon the FFA influence in Sydney FC will always see their players picked before others, no matter where they finish on the table. Watch for at least 5 Sydney players to be picked in the Australia squad

[omni]

Jedi would surely have a shot at CDM? He's more natural in it than Milligan and he's hardly old, of course Moore would probably be a good man to have in the squad for experience. There are SO many options, have to agree with Bear - 5 Sydney players, regardless of where they finish on the table. If they're smart Vukovic will start in goals, that's why I'm convinced Bolton will be the starting keeper.

[Jesus]

Jedi should start. With millsy in the centre of defence.
Moore will be important i think in these games.
Muscat could have a roll to play, but will need to lift his game.
Archie will be in the starting line up for his pace and workrate even if off form.
At least 5 sydney players no doubt. My guess, millsy (though he may have left by then), bolton (for farksake), brosque, the rest picked out of a hat, zad, rudan, and hopefully anyone but donkey...