We are totally crap at scoring goals, which are kinda important in football matches. So, besides Le Timmy, who can we turn to for goals as the new Socceroos coach starts his (or her…I’m not sexist) tenure?

The following are not nailed on Socceroos. They are players who’ve caught my eye and made me wonder whether they ought to be encouraged to climb to the next level…

Dimi Petratos

After initial excitement at Sydney FC, Pet Rat’s career stalled. But after a couple of wilderness years, he’s rediscovered his mojo. This is a seriously good footballer – intelligent, fast, skilful, capable of scoring and making goals. He reminds me just a tad of Aaron Mooy the way he started with a bang, lost his way and has clambered back through sheer blazing talent. This guy could definitely star overseas and will certainly be a Socceroo at some point. Is it now? On the plane to Russia? 8/10

Daniel De Silva

Possibly the most skilful Australian playing in the A-League, Daniel is a number 10 who always beats the first defender, and has game intelligence way beyond his 20 years. Like Petratos, he is nailed on to have a successful career overseas and in the Socceroos. Thing is, we’ve got plenty of number 10s, so I would actually like to see Paul Okon try him out as a striker because the Mariners need an out and out goalscorer, and so do the Socceroos. De Silva has superfast foot speed (a key feature of any good striker) and outstanding vision. If he could learn to finish ruthlessly, he’d be a superstar. On the plane to Russia? 7/10

Mustafa Amini

He’s not a striker and he has actually played for the Socceroos, but Amini has not quite nailed his spot. When he played for the Mariners he was really effective at turning defence into attack with a single touch. Has never quite regained his form as far as Australian audiences are concerned but has exceptional vision and passing range. A supremely intelligent footballer who would not be out of place in a World Cup squad. On the plane to Russia? 8/10

Craig Goodwin

Okay, Aziz Behich has made left back his own in recent times (in either a 442 or 3241 system) so there’s not much space for anyone else, but jeez, Goodwin is going well at Sparta Rotterdam. The Dutch league is a strong technical league one tier below the very best in Europe and Goodwin has been doing pretty well. He’s a fast, direct winger who knows where the goals are but can also defend strongly. With Alex Gersbach, he’s a strong alternative to the incumbent, and definitely one to watch. On the plane to Russia? 8/10

Thomas Deng

I did say this was mainly about goal scorers and makers but Deng has been outstanding this season. He’s strong in the air, strong in the tackle, and has a very good passing range – long and short. He reminds me of a young Trent Sainsbury but, while he is capable of genius, is also prone to some incredible errors. I don’t entirely trust him just yet, but he will be a Socceroo in a year or two. On the plane to Russia? 5/10

Joey Champness

Already some will be hooting with derision, given the meagre handful of games this fellow has played. Thing is, he’s a bloody good footballer already and only going to get better. Tall, fast, strong, with an accurate eye for goal – he’s already playing beyond his years and will certainly be in the squad when the next evolution kicks in. Maybe just in time for the 2019 Asian Cup? On the plane to Russia? 4/10

Adam Taggart

Started the current A-League season like a house on fire, but then the fire engines zoomed into view with lights flashing and all bells clanging…and Taggart’s fire went out. This guy gets into great positions and can certainly finish but needs to add some consistency to his game. Reminds me a bit of Tomi Juric – has the ability but very hot and cold. On the plane to Russia? 5/10

Riley McGree

Has already been picked in the squad once or twice but seems to have gone to ground since he went to Club Brugge on a four year deal. To the best of my knowledge he’s yet to play for Brugge – don’t know whether he’s injured – but he has ability. Only 19 but needs to be playing regularly to be a serious option. On the plane to Russia? 4/10

Bernie Ibini

A player with a load of talent, Bernie has one Socceroos cap (a friendly against UAE) to his credit. Very fast and direct, and can hit the ball like a thunderbolt. Currently playing for Vancouver in the MLS. Has only one goal in 13 appearances (according to Wikipedia) but I remember him as a dynamic player who can beat defenders and scores important goals in big games. On the plane to Russia? 5/10

Awer Mabil

Has been in and around the squad a couple of times but yet to crack it for game time. Currently playing for Pacos de Ferreira (Portugal) on loan from Midtjylland in the Danish League, Mabil is a pacey and tricky winger but, like McGree needs to do a bit more at club level to really press his case. Has the ability to unlock defences and very likely to be a Socceroo eventually. On the plane to Russia? 6/10

Panos Armenakas

Just 19 and touted as an eventual star since he was six years old, Panos currently plays for Tubize in the Belgian League, on loan from Udinese. Named by The Guardian in 2015 as one of the best 50 young players in the world, great things are expected of him. Yet another skilful winger, he is another needing more senior game time but very likely to be a Socceroo. On the plane to Russia? 3/10

Jamie MacLaren

At the top of the A-League scoring charts two years running which got him a transfer to Darmstadt 98 in the German 2.Bundesliga. Hasn’t set the world on fire at that level (five appearances for no goals according to Wikipedia) and is yet to nail down a permanent starting role, which he must do if he expects to be seriously considered at the Socceroo selection table. Has proved himself as a regular goal scorer at A-League level but if he can learn to do that against those stingy German defences (as Mat Leckie is now doing) will become a serious contender for the Socceroos number nine shirt. On the plane to Russia? 6/10

Ajdin Hrustic

21 years old and playing in the Eredivisie for FC Groningen. Hasn’t had a lot of game time yet in Holland but is very highly regarded and was in the Confederations Cup squad without getting a start. Did make an appearance in the pre-tournament loss to Brazil but also needs game time to confirm his status as a budding Socceroo. On the plane to Russia? 5/10

Gol Gol Mebrahtu

Was always a player of obvious talent in the A-League, without ever showing the consistency needed to be taken seriously as a Socceroos contender (or even as a regular starter in the A-League). Now playing in the Czech league he is playing and scoring regularly. Trouble is, the Czech league is one of the less visible Euro leagues so it isn’t easy to properly assess his improvement. Needs to go to a better league to be a genuine contender but does seem to have found some consistency in front of goal. On the plane to Russia? 3/10

Kwame Yeboah

Only 23 and starting to become a seriously good player for Borussia Munchengladbach II in the regional league. He got 10 goals in 28 appearances in 2016/17 but needs to be playing at a higher level. Didn’t play long in the A-League but what he did do was score a couple of spectacular goals which many people still talk about. Like so many other young players, has heaps of ability – just needs to take it to the next level. On the plane to Russia? 4/10

Some of these players, I have no doubt, will be in the squad for Russia. There are seven months to go with the best part of a season to play, so anyone among the incumbents could lose form or get injured, and any of the bolters could suddenly find form. There is some exciting talent in the wings for the Socceroos but the time to start performing is right now.

The reward could hardly be bigger.

Adrian’s latest book The Fighting Man is in the shops right now or available through Booktopia. Adrian also wrote Political Football: Lawrie McKinna’s Dangerous Truth and Mr Cleansheets.