Socceroos: June Too Soon for the Last Chance Saloon?

The Socceroos have (hopefully) two matches in the Last Chance Saloon, in June. It’s time for Arnie to throw off the overly cautious approach and try something radical.

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Midfielders

This is so hard.

In olden days the first picked would have been Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy, but are they still guaranteed starters? In all cases?

I think they still make the cut, but maybe as bench players?

If you look at all the other contenders…

We have: Hrustic, Irvine, Jeggo, Luongo, McGree, Genreau, Stensness, Dougal, Devlin, Watts, Metcalfe, Piscopo, Tilio, Arzani, Nisbet…

Who do we build our team around?

Hrustic is brilliant on his day but looks a bit of a luxury player, like Rogic. We really need some grunt in the engine room so Hrustic is picked, but on the bench.

The Boro fans are raving about Riley McGree and lamenting the fact they didn’t have him earlier. He’s a standout #10 in one of the toughest leagues in the world. Similarly Genreau has done brilliantly in a side that has just won promotion in France.

If it were up to me, I’d suggest Genreau and McGree – looking towards the future, but they are also tough, intelligent players for our current needs. Who do we use around them?

Maybe Devlin at #6. He’s a strong defender and that’s what we need in Asia. I’d suggest Jeggo and Irvine have had their go. Devlin, Stensness, Dougal, Watts are the future with creative types such as Tilio and Piscopo useful as appropriate.

Nisbet’s had an amazing year for the Mariners and has huge ability (especially at winning the ball and stopping dangerous attacks), but I probably want to see him in a better league before he gets picked in such important games. Metcalfe also needs to be tested at a higher level before being entrusted again with the Socceroos engine room.

I am so impressed with Tilio’s efforts so far for the Socceroos, and fancy Reno Piscopo could also be interesting. I’d love to see what he could do surrounded by better players. I’ve no idea what has happened to Arzani. He did look useful during the Olympics, so I really hope he gets his old form back, but he’s probably not ready for the Socceroos just now.

Rogic, Mooy, Hrustic, McGree, Genreau, Stensness, Devlin, Tilio

Forwards

This is where it gets really interesting.

Boyle has been one of our most consistent threats over the last 12 months. MacLaren has been hot and cold – less effective against the stronger teams – but to be fair, he’s had zero service. He gets a lot of service at Melbourne City so is a proven goal scorer when the chances come.

Ruka deserves to be in the squad on form, but I’ve not been that impressed with Duke or Mabil for the Socceroos. Taggart has been out injured for some time.

I’d certainly be taking Jason Cummings and at least one of Nick D’Agostino, Garang Kuol or Mo Toure (if he is back from his shoulder injury). Cummings has been outstanding for the Mariners – can make or score goals and doesn’t mind getting stuck in defensively. Positive influence in the dressing room by all accounts also.

As for Garang Kuol, it might sound ridiculous to even be talking about a 17yo after just a handful of appearances off the bench, but this kid is extra special. He has a goal for every 30-odd minutes he’s played and is exactly the type of wild card that could be critical off the bench. His pace, touch and vision are obvious but his finishing shows a class and maturity not seen in Australia (for such a young player) since… yes, I’ll say it… the mighty Dukes.

Boyle, MacLaren, Cummings, Rukavytsya, Kuol

One to be omitted from the entire squad.

Shape

I’d rather go 433 to get more attackers onto the pitch, but Arnie, no doubt, will stick with his usual 4231.

Going by my selections, that could mean something like:

Ryan

Atkinson Sainsbury Degenek Elder

Devlin Genreau

Boyle McGree Tilio

MacLaren

With the likes of Rogic, Mooy, Cummings, Hrustic, Stensness, Ruka and Kuol likely to get minutes off the bench.

The team could also convert (if needed) to a more aggressive 343 with something like:

Ryan

Sainsbury Degenek Elder

Atkinson Genreau McGree Tilio

Boyle MacLaren Ruka (Kuol)

It’s a young team, but full of pace and skill. And perhaps it’s the sort of team that needs minutes for the future, whether that be for Qatar or some future campaign. (The friendly versus Jordan will help.)

Personally, I believe Arnie has been way too cautious with his selections so far and something like this could go two ways – freeze through inexperience or bond together with fresh enthusiasm and start playing the kind of football Australians want to see.

It’s the toss of a coin, but some would suggest that’s already a better chance than the one we currently have.

Adrian's books can be purchased at any good bookstore or through ebook alchemy. His first sci-fi novel will be published by Hague Publishing in 2022.