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The Australian National Football Team General Discussion*OFFICIAL*

Quicky said:
I don't like Popovic's system. A back 5 with defensive focussed wing backs, 2 defensive midfielders, and a centre forward with a focus on pressing. The wide forwards play more midfield and invert which leaves our ineffective RB responsible for our width and easy to defend on one side of the ground.

While it is really resilient defensively when we are in a 5-4-1shape, it leaves us unable to progress the ball effectively in our 3-4-3 shape against strong teams. We're basically hoping to score, rather than planning to score.

It also seems to push a lot of players into roles they aren't best suited to. Miller a RWB. Goodwin a RM. Our CM's get asked a lot in terms of ball progression when it doesn't suit their games. It's not getting the best out of the players.

I want more balance! A back four, another midfielder and some midfielders that can progress the ball more effectively. I still think we can be defensively resilient even if we sacrifice a defender.

Triantis needs to come in. Toure should start. Goodwin to his best role. A CM who can play on the ball more effectively like Luongo or Robertson.
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I think Popa will persist with a back three but do agree with most of that! and Popa's other 4-2-3-1 system does seem a more natural fit.
 
Quicky said:
I don't like Popovic's system. A back 5 with defensive focussed wing backs, 2 defensive midfielders, and a centre forward with a focus on pressing. The wide forwards play more midfield and invert which leaves our ineffective RB responsible for our width and easy to defend on one side of the ground.

While it is really resilient defensively when we are in a 5-4-1shape, it leaves us unable to progress the ball effectively in our 3-4-3 shape against strong teams. We're basically hoping to score, rather than planning to score.

It also seems to push a lot of players into roles they aren't best suited to. Miller a RWB. Goodwin a RM. Our CM's get asked a lot in terms of ball progression when it doesn't suit their games. It's not getting the best out of the players.

I want more balance! A back four, another midfielder and some midfielders that can progress the ball more effectively. I still think we can be defensively resilient even if we sacrifice a defender.

Triantis needs to come in. Toure should start. Goodwin to his best role. A CM who can play on the ball more effectively like Luongo or Robertson.
Click to expand...
PREACH Quick!
 
Thinking an all Hibs back three could just about be justified if Burgess doesn't get Gametime between now and the next international break.

Then thought about the Mariners, international managers bemoaning time in camp, cohesive familiarity and centre mid 🤔 wishful thinking

-----------------GK
--Miller--Triantis--Iredale
RWB-Nisbet-Balard-LWB
 
Bowden said:
With Maty back playing football in a Top 5 league, and Gauci playing 3rd division football, surely Maty goes back to being Socceroos #1 for these upcoming games in March and June.
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I think so. Gauci is seemingly commanding in the box but China liked to nudge him on some of the corners which was a concern. China away will be tough for either. I'm glad Gauci survived Saitama. He wasn't fazed at all.
 
DandyCasey said:
Thinking an all Hibs back three could just about be justified if Burgess doesn't get Gametime between now and the next international break.

Then thought about the Mariners, international managers bemoaning time in camp, cohesive familiarity and centre mid 🤔 wishful thinking

-----------------GK
--Miller--Triantis--Iredale
RWB-Nisbet-Balard-LWB
Click to expand...
It's tricky as Triantis is much more at home in midfield. Iredale has been playing well but I can't see him getting ahead of Burgess or Rowles given their international experience.

Weirdly I think we'd be even less inclined to try this had we gotten more points the previous round. The discomfort of the situation may lead to some changes.
 
Indonesia are so tough to gauge. They'll be travelling predominantly from Europe too and under a new manager who hasn't done much. It'll be a Dutch/Indo split with high motivation and a range of technical ability and professionalism. Australia have to get an early goal.

It's really secondary but the sooner the safety net of the the next round is at least secured, a small bit of clarity will exist. That may have to wait until June.
 
footballnoob said:
Hey guys
Just wondering what the predicted starting 11 would look like for our next games? Also who would be some of the players you would love to see in the next squad?
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We discussed this in depth on episode 1 of the podcast green and gold fc if u are interested
 
DandyCasey said:
With injuries at the back, Irankunda playing senior football and Kuol showing some form (at be it at u23 level) surely Popa will be thinking about 4231.
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To me that is the test on Popa. I can understand his previous 5 at the back to win ugly because he had just taken over a demoralised and incoherent team that wasn't doing much. He now has had longer to think about the players. Injuries have not been kind, specially at the back, so I am curious as to whether he sticks to 5 at the back or changes formation.
 
WhatAmIWatching said:
To me that is the test on Popa. I can understand his previous 5 at the back to win ugly because he had just taken over a demoralised and incoherent team that wasn't doing much. He now has had longer to think about the players. Injuries have not been kind, specially at the back, so I am curious as to whether he sticks to 5 at the back or changes formation.
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Must change formation but I'm not holding my breath.
 
Just browsing previous world cups and other groups Australia could've gotten. The Confed clash may come into play at some point.

Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast would've been brutal in 2010.

2014 was tough everywhere. Maybe Group H with Belgium, Algeria and Russia would've been lighter than the group we got. Algeria were excellent.

2018 saw one of my favourite world cup groups. Colombia, Senegal, Poland, Japan. An epic.

In hindsight group A was poor with an underwhelming Egypt and Australia in Saudi Arabia's place would've meant the tournament opener and a Uruguay clash.
 
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