Green & Gold FC Podcast #7 - Popovic’s Way: Qualifying by Loyalty

[Pasquali]

In this episode of Green and Gold FC, we’re joined by James Jarvis from The Soccerwhos Podcast to break down the latest Socceroos squad — and we’re asking the big questions.

Is Popovic keeping selections ‘in the family’? Are we risking talents like Alex Robertson and Volpato by refusing to chase them? We unpack the selections of Ryan Teague and Nishan Velupillay, the omission of Max Balard, and the curious case of Nectarios Triantis.

We also review the wins over China and Indonesia — who stood out, who didn’t, and what it tells us ahead of the crucial Japan and Saudi Arabia clashes. Is Popa’s short-term success coming at the cost of long-term planning?

All that and more, right here on Green and Gold FC.

 

[melbcityguy]

This is a must listen episode i can't wait

 

[booney52]

Listened on Spotify.Enjoyed having James Jarvis giving his penny's worth.Yes Popa does reward players who have played under him-Teague( who did have a top game) and Velupillay who at present has the goal scoring touch.
It was good to see James giving Miller kudos.As he said for the moment he has made the RB/RWB his position.
The point was raised that it will be hard for some of our exciting youngsters-Milanovic,Segecic, Botic and even Triantis to show their wares to Popa.Hopefully if we get direct qualification the Socceroos could have have some friendlies for these players to be picked.

 

[Quicky]

Listened on Spotify.Enjoyed having James Jarvis giving his penny's worth.Yes Popa does reward players who have played under him-Teague( who did have a top game) and Velupillay who at present has the goal scoring touch.
It was good to see James giving Miller kudos.As he said for the moment he has made the RB/RWB his position.
The point was raised that it will be hard for some of our exciting youngsters-Milanovic,Segecic, Botic and even Triantis to show their wares to Popa.Hopefully if we get direct qualification the Socceroos could have have some friendlies for these players to be picked.

I hope we finish top 2 so that we can qualify early. Then use that time to get some good games in to try some alternative players.

 

[Quicky]

Downloaded for a flight tomorrow. Looking forward to the listen!

 

[Decentric]

Will listen on the way to a meeting in peak hour traffic this afternoon!

 

[Cunningstunt]

Very enjoyable listen

 

[Decentric]

Haven't finished yet, but I'm really enjoying these G and G podcasts.

A few points.

I like the way Grazor uses stats to justify his opinions on players and results. For instance a discussion on Villupillay - he has scored 3 goals in 5 games for the Socceroos. That is a decent scoring rate.

I'm a bit tired of discussion about players who haven't committed to the Socceroos who have dual nationality. We've always had them - Simunic, Didulica, Tony Dorigo, Craig Johnston, et al, in the past.

These players aren't necessarily better than what we have - Chipperfield, Robertson and Volpato.

Like when Grazor uses stats, such as assists and goals scored, or goals conceded, to vindicate opinions on players, a next level could be to delineate how and why players perform - describing strengths and weaknesses.

Under 20s and under 23s need to have had a record against seniors at adult club level, before they should be considered for the Socceroos.

I also like the reference to Popa's club record. Hadn't realised the 'crashes' that have occurred in his club career. It is easy to keep selecting ageing, experienced players with WSW, Glory, Vic. It is good hearing it elucidated. Popa has a much bigger pool of players to appraise at international level than a 23 player AL club squad.

Also, agree with whomever raised that Trewin didn't get some game time, and it would have been good to blood him, given the scenario of the matches against Indo and China late in the game.

Another good point that James made, is if Japan make a few more defensive mistakes than other teams.

 

[Decentric]

Lyndon Dykes chose Scotland, not Iredale!

Some good questions were posed by Graham for the other panellists. One was that there is less technical proficiency of most players in the age 25-30 cohort, than the younger gen, hence what style of football should Popa play with the cattle he has, to Jame and Alex.

Also, like the way Alex evaluated a number of players' potential international allegiance specifying the individual circumstances prevalent within those countries.

 

[Decentric]

I might post this here, rather than the Socceroos WCQ thread, but with the success of MV players Geria, Villupillay, Arzani and Teague, for the senior Socceroos, does Popa have a better identification skill set of talent than?

1. Arnie?

2. Club coaches like Arthur Diles?

How much work do Okon and Foxe do as assistants in identifying national team players?

Geria, Villupillay and possibly even Teague, are emerging as key Socceroos. Arzani is a useful bench player.

 

[grazorblade]

Haven't finished yet, but I'm really enjoying these G and G podcasts.

A few points.

I like the way Grazor uses stats to justify his opinions on players and results. For instance a discussion on Villupillay - he has scored 3 goals in 5 games for the Socceroos. That is a decent scoring rate.

I'm a bit tired of discussion about players who haven't committed to the Socceroos who have dual nationality. We've always had them - Simunic, Didulica, Tony Dorigo, Craig Johnston, et al, in the past.

These players aren't necessarily better than what we have - Chipperfield, Robertson and Volpato.

Like when Grazor uses stats, such as assists and goals scored, or goals conceded, to vindicate opinions on players, a next level could be to delineate how and why players perform - describing strengths and weaknesses.

Under 20s and under 23s need to have had a record against seniors at adult club level, before they should be considered for the Socceroos.

I also like the reference to Popa's club record. Hadn't realised the 'crashes' that have occurred in his club career. It is easy to keep selecting ageing, experienced players with WSW, Glory, Vic. It is good hearing it elucidated. Popa has a much bigger pool of players to appraise at international level than a 23 player AL club squad.

Also, agree with whomever raised that Trewin didn't get some game time, and it would have been good to blood him, given the scenario of the matches against Indo and China late in the game.

Another good point that James made, is if Japan make a few more defensive mistakes than other teams.

yep been a crash with every club he has coached with

let's hope Japan are generous with their defensive mistakes

 

[grazorblade]

Lyndon Dykes chose Scotland, not Iredale!

Some good questions were posed by Graham for the other panellists. One was that there is less technical proficiency of most players in the age 25-30 cohort, than the younger gen, hence what style of football should Popa play with the cattle he has, to Jame and Alex.

Also, like the way Alex evaluated a number of players' potential international allegiance specifying the individual circumstances prevalent within those countries.

yep botched the lyndon dykes question haha

Alex seems to have some inside knowledge of volpato's situation. Chipperfield applied for australian citizenship in January so we'll see

of the three the one we are most likely to lose is robertson imo, though we could lose any of them. Volpato would be the hardest to replace since there aren't many players with a similar skill set. Robertson is a technically proficient central mid, we do indeed have a lot of those and hopefully one or more can be as good or better

 

[Decentric]

yep botched the lyndon dykes question haha

Alex seems to have some inside knowledge of volpato's situation. Chipperfield applied for australian citizenship in January so we'll see

of the three the one we are most likely to lose is robertson imo, though we could lose any of them. Volpato would be the hardest to replace since there aren't many players with a similar skill set. Robertson is a technically proficient central mid, we do indeed have a lot of those and hopefully one or more can be as good or better

Now that we've seen a few younger Aus players perform for the Socceroos, younger debutants like Circati, Teague, Irankunda, Bos, possibly Matthews, who have skill sets that appear to exceed the qualities of many Socceroo predecessors, indicates that there will be many more coming through. Villupillay has done well too, despite not definitely having a skill set that exceeds previous gens.

If Robertson (Championship ?) and Volpato ( Serie B?) are as good as many suggest (for mine it is usually because they aren't available), I can't believe they will exceed the aforementioned quintet, or, many of the younger players in their cohort who are yet to gain Socceroo caps. Neither are playing UEFA Big Five, or the Big UEFA 30-40 clubs outside the Big Five who play regular Champ League or Europa League football.

I think it might be sage to forget about them until they commit - if they ever do?

Volpato being a tall player as a supposed number Ten, is probably similar in stature to Zidane and Ballack. It is unlikely Volpato will be particularly nimble, or quick on the turn.

 

[patjennings]

I might post this here, rather than the Socceroos WCQ thread, but with the success of MV players Geria, Villupillay, Arzani and Teague, for the senior Socceroos, does Popa have a better identification skill set of talent than?

Geria and Arzani had already played for the Socceroos years ago. Popa has shown very little in this space and the talk has been more about who he hasn't included. It is way too early to judge at the moment but it is not an area that I would be highlighting just yet. Let's see how the squad develops before the World Cup.

 

[grazorblade]

Now that we've seen a few younger Aus players perform for the Socceroos, younger debutants like Circati, Teague, Irankunda, Bos, possibly Matthews, who have skill sets that appear to exceed the qualities of many Socceroo predecessors, indicates that there will be many more coming through. Villupillay has done well too, despite not definitely having a skill set that exceeds previous gens.

If Robertson (Championship ?) and Volpato ( Serie B?) are as good as many suggest (for mine it is usually because they aren't available), I can't believe they will exceed the aforementioned quintet, or, many of the younger players in their cohort who are yet to gain Socceroo caps. Neither are playing UEFA Big Five, or the Big UEFA 30-40 clubs outside the Big Five who play regular Champ League or Europa League football.

I think it might be sage to forget about them until they commit - if they ever do?

Volpato being a tall player as a supposed number Ten, is probably similar in stature to Zidane and Ballack. It is unlikely Volpato will be particularly nimble, or quick on the turn.

volpato played 25 games in seri a last season and is now playing for the top team in seri b as a u21. More importantly, he is a creative #10. I haven't seen any player with his skill set, level or profile amongst the youngsters so he would indeed be a loss.

I'll track all eligible young players in osaussies and u23 aussies until players commit one way or another

 

[Decentric]

It was good to see James giving Miller kudos.As he said for the moment he has made the RB/RWB his position.

Gee, from scrutinising Miller closely, he has more weaknesses compared to strengths as Right WB, or RB. I feel the right side with Boyle on th ewing and Miller furthe rback is a weakness, despite Geria being a strength.

It might not be a popular opinion, but Behich is far more competent as a LB, despite Miller's great aerial power.

I feel like Metcalfe will be a better R WB, with a greater skill set, and more technique on the ball.

I think Miller could yet play as a Right CB in a back four, or a R CB in a back three in preference to RB. Apparently, this is happening at Hibs, a team I'm now very interested in with so many Aussies on the books.

Bennie looks to me our best RB prospect, but he is too young and puny ATM, despite immense talent.

Atkinson is better on the ball than Miller, but isn't a proficient enough ball winner as a RB. In the AL Atkinson looks better in midfielder than RB, but there are heaps more superior central midfield prospects than Atkinson ATM for the Roos.

 

[Decentric]

volpato played 25 games in seri a last season and is now playing for the top team in seri b as a u21. More importantly, he is a creative #10. I haven't seen any player with his skill set, level or profile amongst the youngsters so he would indeed be a loss.

I'll track all eligible young players in osaussies and u23 aussies until players commit one way or another

It teases us when we hear Volpato, Chipperfield and Robertson are doing well!

If they commit, I will look forward to hearing about their club success.

 

[Decentric]

I was really pleased with the way Alex went into detail about which of the dual nationals had diverse reasons why they could or may not, commit to the Roos.

One issue being that Alex raised is that Serie A clubs pressured players to commit to international teams playing nearer to Italy.

When Robbie Slater played for Lens, he said the club president loved him playing for the Socceroos, because he was the only international player Lens had.

 

[Decentric]

Geria and Arzani had already played for the Socceroos years ago. Popa has shown very little in this space and the talk has been more about who he hasn't included. It is way too early to judge at the moment but it is not an area that I would be highlighting just yet. Let's see how the squad develops before the World Cup.

Good point, PJ, although Geria only had 1 previous Socceroo game - I think?

 

[Quicky]

On the uncommited dual nationals I think if they're in our best squads they need to be selected. It's their decision whether to accept the call up or not. If they don't that's fine no hard feelings. We shouldn't beg but we also shouldn't behave like a jilted ex.

They definitely deserve consideration and discussion. Volpato, Toure, Robertson should be in our best squad imo. Chipperfield around the edges with others like the Okons not there yet but maybe with further development.