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At the end of the day, if we don't qualify it's squarely on Ange's shoulders imo.
We don't have the best team we've had in the past 20 years, but I'd argue it's better than the one we had at Rio. We've got more players in top leagues than we did back then.
This 3 at the back formation has (almost) cost us a spot at the WC. We just don't have the correct players for it and we are so easily scored against by absolutely inferior opponents, it keeps them in the game.
Thailand had around 3 or 4 positive movements, they all could of resulted in goals tbh, it leaves us far too exposed at the back.
The Confed Cup was essentially a poisoned chalice, we'd played like absolute dogshit up to that point with 3 at the back, Ange had even reverted back to the old system (the one we ******* won the Asian Cup with), but 1 or 2 decent performances against top international sides with that formation gave him the confidence to use it in the run home.
Playing players with zero club football continually in the side, Kruse hasn't scored at international level for 2.5 years and Brad Smith over Gerbach (who has performed fantastic for the side every time he's played) is absolutely criminal.
I mean, why use it AWAY to Japan when you only need a point and then a home win against Thailand?!? Absolute madness.
FFA doesn't have the balls too, but if we had any standards at all, Ange should be given his marching orders this morning. Bring in Graham Arnold for a short stint if need be.
We don't have the best team we've had in the past 20 years, but I'd argue it's better than the one we had at Rio. We've got more players in top leagues than we did back then.
This 3 at the back formation has (almost) cost us a spot at the WC. We just don't have the correct players for it and we are so easily scored against by absolutely inferior opponents, it keeps them in the game.
Thailand had around 3 or 4 positive movements, they all could of resulted in goals tbh, it leaves us far too exposed at the back.
The Confed Cup was essentially a poisoned chalice, we'd played like absolute dogshit up to that point with 3 at the back, Ange had even reverted back to the old system (the one we ******* won the Asian Cup with), but 1 or 2 decent performances against top international sides with that formation gave him the confidence to use it in the run home.
Playing players with zero club football continually in the side, Kruse hasn't scored at international level for 2.5 years and Brad Smith over Gerbach (who has performed fantastic for the side every time he's played) is absolutely criminal.
I mean, why use it AWAY to Japan when you only need a point and then a home win against Thailand?!? Absolute madness.
FFA doesn't have the balls too, but if we had any standards at all, Ange should be given his marching orders this morning. Bring in Graham Arnold for a short stint if need be.

