Before I start I must say that I feel kind of odd even talking about the World Cup with the same gusto now as the meaning of sport all seems rather insignificant after hearing of the terrible news that has befallen Brad Jones' family.
Brad doesn't know me from a bar of soap, but still I wish he and his family all the best.
However, with no disrespect intended, we are here to talk about the football and so that is what we shall do.

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We're finally here, the World Cup has all-but arrived, and thank goodness those friendly matches are over.
But, given that this has been the first time we have seen our full strength team in action since late last year, these friendlies against New Zealand, Denmark and the United States are all we have to go on in terms of analysing our team.
Of course we take the results with a grain of salt, but here's what I think I've learned about the Socceroos over the last two weeks as we head in to the biggest sporting event in the world.
In no particular order.

1. Luke Wilkshire is one of our most important players.
He's arguably still one of the most underrated players in our set-up, but the difference between the way we played against New Zealand and the way we played against Denmark was significant and I for one put that down to Wilkshire.
He might play at the back, but he's not afraid to get forward. He drives what can be a very stagnant midfield up the park.
And, especially when Josh Kennedy is on the park, if we insist on long balls/crosses from wide positions to get goals then Wilkshire is, I think, the best we've got in general play to whip those balls in.

2. We miss Brett Emerton.
All the talk for the last two weeks has been about Harry Kewell, Harry Kewell, Harry Kewell. Yes, I want Harry back too, but I want Emerton back even more.
Is it just me, or is anyone else a bit worried about the fitness of the Blackburn star?
He's been un-sighted since the group got together in Melbourne as he is suffering from a 'minor' calf injury that just won't go away.
We NEED Emerton. While I just said Wilkshire was one of our most important players, he becomes even more important when he strikes that combination with Emerton on the right hand side. The two work together flawlessly and give us impetus going forward.

3. I hate to say it, but...
... I think we look better with (cough) Brett Holman on the park.
I know he struggles to hit the side of a barn with his passes sometimes, and he runs around like a headless chook, but maybe we need someone like that (the running around thing, not someone who can't pass).
We just look so stagnant up front. We like to pass back, we know we can pass sideways, but when it comes to pressing in the final third, we just don't cut it. Except, when Holman comes on, running around like an excited puppy just wanting to move forward.
He creates movement, he creates gaps, he is, most definitely, unpredictable.
I can't find room for him in the starting line-up, but if we're struggling for a break through, I actually hope he is the one that comes on in the second half.

4. We're going to struggle to break teams down.
I suppose this isn't ground breaking stuff, but it was just so painfully obvious against the All Whites at the MCG.
Sitting high in the stands it was just so clear that the Aussies had no idea how to penetrate the Kiwi defence, especially in the first half when we had a semblance of our first string side on the park.
New Zealand didn't even park the bus, they had three up front and three at the back. And while Ryan Nelson is first class, Ivan Vicelich and Ben Sigmund don't really compare to the talented defences we will come up against over the next fortnight.
We are sorely lacking that final, killing, ball into or around the box that will create space for a threatening shot on goal.

5. Jason Culina might be the answer.
We've looked so much better in each of the friendlies when the Gold Coast captain got forward.
Anyone who doubted his return to the A-League has surely revised their thought processes after seeing what Culina has to offer in the front third, rather than when screening the defence in the back half.
With Pim Verbeek's formation I can't see where he could slot in other than as a defensive midfielder, unfortunately. But he's got to be given a licence to get further forward more often because the link between the midfield and the striker look so much stronger when Culina is on the ball.

6. I'm starting to worry about Vince Grella.
Four years ago he was one of the 40 or 50 named as part of the World Cup's preliminary All Star squad (he was wasn't he?). Now he just looks short of a gallop.
He has been desperately unlucky with injury of late, and so hopefully he comes good with three hitouts under his belt.
I don't think anyone doubts that when Grella is on top of his game the Socceroos are better for it.
But in his current form _ slow, repeated turnovers, giving away stupid fouls with stupid tackles _ I would almost argue we are better off with Mile Jedinak in the starting side against Germany.

7. We should have brought Macca.
We're 2-1 down against the USA, we finally opt to play two up front and chance our arm, we look to the bench and we have, Ruka.
No offence to Ruka, but when we finally get two prongs up forward, I want Scott McDonald up forward as one of them.
Geez, if we play two up front from the outset, I want McDonald in our starting line-up, let alone just in the squad.

8. Serbia and Ghana might be in a bit of trouble.
Serbia lost to New Zealand 1-0 and, having watched that game, they looked terrible. They then drew 0-0 with Poland before being beat Cameroon 4-3 on the weekend, but they had to come from behind and Cameroon were without Samuel Eto'o.
Ghana got flogged by The Netherlands 4-1, a Netherlands side we have never lost to. They also managed to somehow sneak a 1-0 win against the might of Latvia with an injury time goal.
Maybe our group isn't as difficult as we thought...

9. Then again, we're in a bit of trouble too.
Late winner against New Zealand, a lucky goal against Denmark and smashed by the US. Hardly awe-inspiring.
We could have, perhaps should have, conceded more against the Kiwis, against Denmark we looked OK, but the USA should have put five past us. Germany will do so if we play like that again.
We pride ourselves on defence, but it looked flimsy at best last Saturday night.
And I think these games have proven that if Kewell isn't fit, then there are doubts as to whether Kennedy is strong enough with his feet to lead the line.

10. So therefore my starting line-up for Germany would be.
__________ Schwarzer ____________
Wilkshire _ Moore _ Neill _ Chipperfield
_______ Culina __ Jedinak _________
Emerton ____ Cahill ___ Bresciano
___________ Kewell ______________


Or, if Kewell isn't fit.
__________ Schwarzer ____________
Wilkshire _ Moore _ Neill _ Chipperfield
_______ Culina __ Jedinak _________
Emerton ____ Holman ____ Bresciano
____________ Cahill______________


Of course, that is what I think I learned.
I would love to know if you guys agree and disagree, and also find out what you learned during the friendlies period.
Only three more sleeps till kickoff!