Poppa Out

[Volrath2002]

This thread made me laugh when I first saw it. I was not in favour of Popa being appointed as he is a more defensive minded coach and after Arnie's nothingball I was hoping for something more attacking for the NT. But, now that he is in charge, and at least games have been interesting to watch, even if we still look incapable of scoring often, I am backing him for the next while to turn things around.

 

[Quicky]

This thread made me laugh when I first saw it. I was not in favour of Popa being appointed as he is a more defensive minded coach and after Arnie's nothingball I was hoping for something more attacking for the NT. But, now that he is in charge, and at least games have been interesting to watch, even if we still look incapable of scoring often, I am backing him for the next while to turn things around.

The thread was supposed to be a bit of fun, a bit of a vent and a bit of irony because theres no chance Poppa will actually get sacked.

I wanted a thread to discuss his performances because he shouldn't be above criticism. But I do want him to succeed, because if he succeeds so does the NT.

 

[Volrath2002]

The thread was supposed to be a bit of fun, a bit of a vent and a bit of irony because theres no chance Poppa will actually get sacked.

I wanted a thread to discuss his performances because he shouldn't be above criticism. But I do want him to succeed, because if he succeeds so does the NT.

yeah def took it as a bit of tongue and cheek

 

[Balin Trev]

When he subbed on Behich instead of maybe an attacker like Boyle, the offensive plan was over. As already said- mindset too defensive.
Goodwin will hopefully assist/score next game cos nobody else seems able to score atm

 

[onedaywinners...]

I genuinely struggle to see how Popa is setting us up to score in this 'system'.

Luck, set pieces, turnover in the attacking third & a long ranger eg Goodwin v China...this is how much he focuses on the defensive end of the game.

And what is the point of passing out the back when you can only pass it around the back before hoofing it long.....to no one.

At this point I don't even care if we have a head coach. I'd rather the team just go out there with some basic ass formation and look to work it out on the fly whilst playing with their mates for their country.

 

[vo2Max]

I genuinely struggle to see how Popa is setting us up to score in this 'system'.

Luck, set pieces, turnover in the attacking third & a long ranger eg Goodwin v China...this is how much he focuses on the defensive end of the game.

And what is the point of passing out the back when you can only pass it around the back before hoofing it long.....to no one.

At this point I don't even care if we have a head coach. I'd rather the team just go out there with some basic ass formation and look to work it out on the fly whilst playing with their mates for their country.

They would create a shitload more chances by simply hoofing it into the mixer. They are not good enough to play any other way.

 

[Decentric]

A thread for anyone as frustrated as me tonight.

Thought this would appear shortly after the game.

With the fresh info a month or so later from watching a few replays and compiling stats for 1v1s, passes, balls played into the the box, shots at goal, we should have definitely have taken 6 points against Saudi and Bahrain, but lost against Japan.

Popa is doing okay. Luck has been against him, except against Japan.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

When he picks the right team he might get my vote...

 

[mkxx]

They would create a shitload more chances by simply hoofing it into the mixer. They are not good enough to play any other way.

It is sad cuz these players playing in Europe. Some even captain of their clubs like O'niel / Irvine but couldnt string 3 passes going forward. Turnovers after turnovers. Dunno how to anti press. When another team pressed hard we lost ball possession easily.

I have watched European league and most smaller nations can play beautiful football but not us.

Short training sessions couldnt be our excuse cuz every countries are the same. I dont know if it the quality of our players or what?

I cant remember the last time the socceroos play beautiful football.

 

[WhatAmIWatching]

It is sad cuz these players playing in Europe. Some even captain of their clubs like O'niel / Irvine but couldnt string 3 passes going forward. Turnovers after turnovers. Dunno how to anti press. When another team pressed hard we lost ball possession easily.

I have watched European league and most smaller nations can play beautiful football but not us.

Short training sessions couldnt be our excuse cuz every countries are the same. I dont know if it the quality of our players or what?

I cant remember the last time the socceroos play beautiful football.

The 2010 WC won by Spain, was basically Barcelona, Real Madrid and one Atletico Madrid player. Short training sessions? Consider the travel from Barcelona to Madrid vs Australia to rest of the world and amount of hours & acclimatisation lost. Secondly, the Spanish team (sub just about every European country) knew each other and the styles of play are not completely out of whack vs Australians playing different styles of football across the world. Third, the players know each other - consider the pair of Jake Girdwood-Reich & Hayden Matthews last season who have been playing together since they became teenagers vs Souttar who had never been to Australia.

A lot of the discussion in this forum relies on the individual brilliance of the player but I don't think I have read anything that considers as to how well they can be integrated into a team. The only time Australia played "beautiful football" (whatever that means) was during the peak of the golden generation when three players were playing in the first division in England and two others were playing in Italy. They all knew each other from club football.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

A lot of the discussion in this forum relies on the individual brilliance of the player but I don't think I have read anything that considers as to how well they can be integrated into a team. The only time Australia played "beautiful football" (whatever that means) was during the peak of the golden generation when three players were playing in the first division in England and two others were playing in Italy. They all knew each other from club football.

Arnie (and now Popa) have been picking the same tired hacks for years.

They know each other very well, alas...

 

[Quicky]

Thought this would appear shortly after the game.

With the fresh info a month or so later from watching a few replays and compiling stats for 1v1s, passes, balls played into the the box, shots at goal, we should have definitely have taken 6 points against Saudi and Bahrain, but lost against Japan.

Popa is doing okay. Luck has been against him, except against Japan.

Lucks an excuse. When you set-up the team the way Popovic has scoring will be difficult. The results are predictable. He needs to find a better defensive/offensive balance.

 

[mkxx]

The 2010 WC won by Spain, was basically Barcelona, Real Madrid and one Atletico Madrid player. Short training sessions? Consider the travel from Barcelona to Madrid vs Australia to rest of the world and amount of hours & acclimatisation lost. Secondly, the Spanish team (sub just about every European country) knew each other and the styles of play are not completely out of whack vs Australians playing different styles of football across the world. Third, the players know each other - consider the pair of Jake Girdwood-Reich & Hayden Matthews last season who have been playing together since they became teenagers vs Souttar who had never been to Australia.

A lot of the discussion in this forum relies on the individual brilliance of the player but I don't think I have read anything that considers as to how well they can be integrated into a team. The only time Australia played "beautiful football" (whatever that means) was during the peak of the golden generation when three players were playing in the first division in England and two others were playing in Italy. They all knew each other from club football.

Funny You use Spain as example. So you re saying if we have longer training session we would have played good football? Or you use jet lag as an excuse. Look at the last asian cup and we still played awful football. It came down to the quality of the players.

If the players got basic quality they can play good foorball with any formation and style. I watched the replay of Bahrain (1st game) and O"neil got space to run but decided to pass side way and backwards so it is very predictable for Bahrain to defend.

I didnt expect we play like spain but at least can string more than 3-4 passes going forward like Ireland, scotland, wales, cyprus, Malta, Slovania, Slovakia, Luxembourg Nrth Mecedonia etc. And Japan and South Korea only have 1 trainning session just like us and most of their players playing abroad.

Another thing is the coach still didnt pick the right players. By playing O'niel and Irvine (or Popa picked Bratten or Caceres) doesnt work. We def need a good creative mid who can control the middle (maybe Nisbet, Luongo, Arzani ?).
Until the coach can work out the right jigsaw together we will never see good football from the socceroos.

 

[Quicky]

Funny You use Spain as example. So you re saying if we have longer training session we would have played good football? Or you use jet lag as an excuse. Look at the last asian cup and we still played awful football. It came down to the quality of the players.

If the players got basic quality they can play good foorball with any formation and style. I watched the replay of Bahrain (1st game) and O"neil got space to run but decided to pass side way and backwards so it is very predictable for Bahrain to defend.

I didnt expect we play like spain but at least can string more than 3-4 passes going forward like Ireland, scotland, wales, cyprus, Malta, Slovania, Slovakia, Luxembourg Nrth Mecedonia etc. And Japan and South Korea only have 1 trainning session just like us and most of their players playing abroad.

Another thing is the coach still didnt pick the right players. By playing O'niel and Irvine (or Popa picked Bratten or Caceres) doesnt work. We def need a good creative mid who can control the middle (maybe Nisbet, Luongo, Arzani ?).
Until the coach can work out the right jigsaw together we will never see good football from the socceroos.

I think with different selection and instruction we have the players to play better in this regard.

 

[WhatAmIWatching]

Funny You use Spain as example. So you re saying if we have longer training session we would have played good football? Or you use jet lag as an excuse. Look at the last asian cup and we still played awful football. It came down to the quality of the players.

If the players got basic quality they can play good foorball with any formation and style. I watched the replay of Bahrain (1st game) and O"neil got space to run but decided to pass side way and backwards so it is very predictable for Bahrain to defend.

I didnt expect we play like spain but at least can string more than 3-4 passes going forward like Ireland, scotland, wales, cyprus, Malta, Slovania, Slovakia, Luxembourg Nrth Mecedonia etc. And Japan and South Korea only have 1 trainning session just like us and most of their players playing abroad.

Another thing is the coach still didnt pick the right players. By playing O'niel and Irvine (or Popa picked Bratten or Caceres) doesnt work. We def need a good creative mid who can control the middle (maybe Nisbet, Luongo, Arzani ?).
Until the coach can work out the right jigsaw together we will never see good football from the socceroos.

My original point was that players that know each other professionally tend to play better. I also mentioned that the 2010 spanish team consisted of players from two clubs (minus 1). As an example if you were to take the best back line of an A-League club and play them against a makeshift forward line of the remainder of the A-League clubs, I think that the forward line will struggle. Players like Irvine and O'Neill can't be all that crap since they are playing in decent leagues.
Your assumption is that by selecting Nisbet, Luongo and Arzani the Socceroos would be transformed into a competitive unit. Luongo is proven at this level but it has been a while since he has had 90 minutes in the national team. I am not a big fan of Arzani so although I believe that he should be given minutes but he is no magic elixir. Nisbet is definitely worth a go. A creative midfielder and a better RW would definitely improve the Socceroos.
And for the record, I am not a Popa fan either but I also recognise that the team needs better players. Unfortunately, I don't know who could possibly be able to create a team with the players at hand.

 

[Decentric]

Arnie (and now Popa) have been picking the same tired hacks for years.

They know each other very well, alas...

I think they have quite different ideas.

Arnie played a 4-3-3 with the ball ( including rotating the midfield triangle from defensive to attacking shape), and 4-4-2 without it.

Popa plays a 3-4-3, 5-2-3, 5-4-1, at different phases of the game.

Arnie shunned the AL, Popa is tending to overlook Scotland and English League One.

Arnie said he had no Right Back with Atko clubless, Miller, Strain and Jones all injured, so he played Circati. Popa put Geria straight into the role, or used Miller wider like Arnie.

Popa has selected Geria, Caceres and Villupillay from the AL , who have all done well -so far. Arnie would not have selected them.

 

[Decentric]

My original point was that players that know each other professionally tend to play better. I also mentioned that the 2010 spanish team consisted of players from two clubs (minus 1). As an example if you were to take the best back line of an A-League club and play them against a makeshift forward line of the remainder of the A-League clubs, I think that the forward line will struggle. Players like Irvine and O'Neill can't be all that crap since they are playing in decent leagues.
Your assumption is that by selecting Nisbet, Luongo and Arzani the Socceroos would be transformed into a competitive unit. Luongo is proven at this level but it has been a while since he has had 90 minutes in the national team. I am not a big fan of Arzani so although I believe that he should be given minutes but he is no magic elixir. Nisbet is definitely worth a go. A creative midfielder and a better RW would definitely improve the Socceroos.
And for the record, I am not a Popa fan either but I also recognise that the team needs better players. Unfortunately, I don't know who could possibly be able to create a team with the players at hand.

The Aussie under 23s and younger are much more technically proficient than any generation previously. There is considerable quantity of quality. They've had 10 years of the NC from the right age.

The coaching practices used are similar to France, Holland, Belgium or Spain. They've had quality coaching.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

I think they have quite different ideas.

Arnie played a 4-3-3 with the ball, 4-4-2 without it.

Popa plays a 3-4-3, 5-2-3, 5-4-1, at different phases of the game.

Arnie shunned the AL, Popa is tending to overlook Scotland and English League One.

Arnie said he had no Right Back with Atko clubless, Miller, Strain and Jones all injured, so he played Circati. Popa put Geria straight into the role, or used Miller wider like Arnie.

Popa has selected Geria, Caceres and Villupillay from the AL , who have all done well -so far. Arnie would not have selected them.

And Popa keeps picking Duke, Behich, Ryan, Irvine, Boyle... brought back Degenek and the useless Hrustic, picked Brattan, Grant (FFS)...

Geria and Velupillay have done well but Caceres was mostly anonymous.

Further, Popa has refused to pick Nisbet, didn't use Arzani or Balard, seems to have pissed off Robertson and, worst of all, has clearly had a falling out with Irankunda and is refusing to pick him.

So I guess you're right... they have quite different ideas.

 

[Decentric]

And Popa keeps picking Duke, Behich, Ryan, Irvine, Boyle... brought back Degenek and the useless Hrustic, picked Brattan, Grant (FFS)...

Geria and Velupillay have done well but Caceres was mostly anonymous.

Further, Popa has refused to pick Nisbet, didn't use Arzani or Balard, seems to have pissed off Robertson and, worst of all, has clearly had a falling out with Irankunda and is refusing to pick him.

So I guess you're right... they have quite different ideas.

Caceres had a good game against Bahrain - got through an enormous amount of work and won as many or more hard balls in 1v1s than any midfielder since the start of this campaign for any DM we've had to date. Have a look at the Socceroo stats thread.

Has Boyle played any minutes since Popa took over?

One needs experienced players to organise the rest of the team who are less experienced. One has to know one's own game well, to be able to organise others around them. Less experienced players struggle to organise themselves. Behich, Duke, Irvine and Ryan, must be good at organising less experienced teammates on the pitch. All coaches will have some crossover with some players as coaches change over.

Arzani in his current form is astonishing. Can't believe Popa won't pick him playing like he is ATM? He is simply the best creative attacking talent we have ATM. He terrorised Socceroo FBs Behich and Atkinson in the Melb derby this last round - in the short time he can play on the pitch.

I've been surprised he won't select Nisbet too? Thought he was impressive.

 

[Quicky]

Caceres had a good game against Bahrain - got through an enormous amount of work and won as many or more hard balls in 1v1s than any midfielder since the start of this campaign for any DM we've had to date. Have a look at the Socceroo stats thread.

Has Boyle played any minutes since Popa took over?

One needs experienced players to organise the rest of the team who are less experienced. One has to know one's own game well, to be able to organise others around them. Less experienced players struggle to organise themselves. Behich, Duke, Irvine and Ryan, must be good at organising less experienced teammates on the pitch. All coaches will have some crossover with some players as coaches change over.

Arzani in his current form is astonishing. Can't believe Popa won't pick him playing like he is ATM? He is simply the best creative attacking talent we have ATM. He terrorised Socceroo FBs Behich and Atkinson in the Melb derby this last round - in the short time he can play on the pitch.

I've been surprised he won't select Nisbet too? Thought he was impressive.

Arzani was in Popovic's first squad. He wasn't picked in the second squad which I think was that period he was out of the Victory team with the bust up he had with Kisnorbo. So wasn't match fit.