Socceroos 2018 WCQ THREAD-v HONDURAS FOR SPOT IN RUSSIA (Dates TBC)

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I don't mind the Thais. They have quality individual talent. BUT if we want to beat Argentina and Holland in a World Cup we need to be able to adapt to beat these sides.

We have a sever lack of enterprise and incisiveness in the front third. This is apparent from the last 5 years.

Ange has down the right thing by trying to control possession and largely it has worked. BUT we need to be able to break down sides when they park the bus.

The better you get at possession the better you need to be at passing to score.


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FreoRicci

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Well, that was a horrid performance. We need to shake up the formation, as it's clearly not effective against these nippy, quick Asian countries. Jedinak/Mooy/Rogic look slow at times, and apart from Captain Mile, are poor defending. Must go to the 4-3-3 Width or even 4-4-2 wide. Milligan deserves a start, has been much better in terms of passing and positioning.
 

FreoRicci

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What a disaster, Thailand deserved to win that. That could also cost us a World Cup spot.
Actually it's not bad. Saudi/UAE have to play each other again, plus Japan play UAE away. Like Ange says, we really have to win and make our own destiny. 3 points from 3 games isn't bad, but it definitely puts us in an anxious position
 

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Not good enough tonight. I can't remember how many times we misplaced a pass or had a poor touch in the final third.
Thailand played with more intensity and quality in transition. They could have won that game easily.
Socceroos need to get our shit together these draws and poor performances won't allow us to qualify.
 

nobbyiscool

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I can't decide who performed worse today - our midfield or our middle order batsmen :mad:

It went backwards again when Milligan had to go back to cover at centre back. He's still Australia's most underrated footballer and has to start alongside Jedinak in the double pivot role for the next game.
 

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Can't take unfit players into crucial matches, we did and got embarrassed.
100% agree. Brad Smith looked fit and fast down the left as usual. But Kruse was definitely off the pace, Degenek looked lost at times given he has been injured. Goodwin deserves a spot, if Ange goes on about players starting/playing games abroad. Unfair that Kruse is given preferential treatment whereas Irvine, Goodwin, Milligan are getting full games each time.
 
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Final third has been disappointing for 18 months. With rogic mooy and Luongo I don't understand how we don't score goals. They have all the abilities of a b-class Spanish midfield but fail to make that final pass.

When you play against a bus you need to either:

A) use the width of the pitch or

B) take long shots.


Jedinak, mooy, luongo and rogic can all ping it from far.


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FreoRicci

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Final third has been disappointing for 18 months. With rogic mooy and Luongo I don't understand how we don't score goals. They have all the abilities of a b-class Spanish midfield but fail to make that final pass.

When you play against a bus you need to either:

A) use the width of the pitch or

B) take long shots.


Jedinak, mooy, luongo and rogic can all ping it from far.


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Think it's Jedinak being the clog of that diamond. He slows up the pace and gets too much control. Think him being captain is certiainly affecting Ange, gets named just on that alone. If he didn't have the armband he would surely be starting on the bench most games.
Mooy/Luongo play very similar styles. Rogic is the only one that has the technqiue and talent above those. But it's the attackers that given us trouble- Cahill isn't getting younger. Have to say we missed Juric sorely tonight, MacLaren was out of his depth.
 

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That 2nd half was some of the worst football I've seen Mooy play.
Yep.

Don't think he's played a game that poorly since perhaps his Western Sydney days.

Very uncharacteristic performance from him.

One thing on him though, he's pretty much ever-present in a very demanding Championship so I wouldn't be surprised if it's taking it's toll on his physical and mental fitness. It's a big difference to go from dominating the A-League in an advanced midfield role to playing in the double pivot in the Championship.
 

FreoRicci

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Yep.

Don't think he's played a game that poorly since perhaps his Western Sydney days.

Very uncharacteristic performance from him.

One thing on him though, he's pretty much ever-present in a very demanding Championship so I wouldn't be surprised if it's taking it's toll on his physical and mental fitness. It's a big difference to go from dominating the A-League in an advanced midfield role to playing in the double pivot in the Championship.
Definitely. 46 games a season of cut throat, passionate football. Massive step up from A League. Plus he has a baby son among all that, about 3-4 months ago. The concerning thing is that Australia had this 10 day camp, which seemed to be counterproductive rather then gain an edge throughout the game. Players looked a bit sloppy at times and unfit.
 

ep2018

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Draw was a good result for us, Thailand were right up for this had a fair bit to play for
Thailand is the group whipping boy and the fact that we couldn't get full points here could be the difference between qualifying and the third round playoff against god knows who, probably some unlucky South American team.
 
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