The Socceroos sealed their place in the next stage of qualifiers after defeating a determined Thailand 1-0 at Supachalasai Stadium last Tuesday night. The Socceroos got the points they came for, but the performance left a lot to be desired as they were challenged by a proud and smart team.

The Thais were the 117th ranked nation at the time of this game. I don’t mean to sell them short, because they set up and played well, but should our national side be struggling against them? I don’t think so. Maybe I’m being harsh here, but I don’t think that the performances against Oman and Thailand are going to strike fear in the hearts of other sides in the Asian region. Against Saudi Arabia in three months time, I’d like to see some things change.

Firstly, I would change the central midfield pairing. Mile Jedinak and Carl Valeri have been  prefered by Holger Oscieck. Both are hard workers that are solid defensively, but didn’t offer much at all going forward against the Thais. Too many back and sideways passing summed up their contribution.

What I would like to see against the Saudis in February is a central midfield pairing of Eric Paartalu and Nick Carle. Paartalu is crucial for Roar, he passes well and is a tall, physical presence defensively. Oscieck has been willing to give A-League players a chance, picking Eric Paartalu can’t hurt.

Another A-Leaguer playing well at the moment is Nick Carle. He has been in great form for Sydney FC, looking a whole lot fitter than last season. He offers plenty going forward and works hard as well. He is also a more creative force than Jedinak and Valeri. Like Paartalu, picking Carle cannot hurt.

Poor Michael Zullo had a hard night on the left flank, as Winfried Schafer’s men clearly looked to target his left flank. I don’t think Matt Spiranovic helped him much either, playing too far way from him at times. But the lack of a genuine left fullback has been a recurring one for Holger and his staff.

Zullo is  not a natural leftback and neither was David Carney before him. As mentioned earlier, Holger has been willing to play A-League players in national colours. Central Coast Mariners' Josh Rose is a specialist natural left fullback. There is nothing to lose for either Rose or the Socceroos by picking him for the Saudi clash, as he can get forward to attack and defend as well. If I were Holger , he’d be in my starting XI against the Saudis.

Another change I’d make is to choose either Robbie Kruse and Alex Brosque to start a game. Josh Kennedy started against Thailand and too many times the ball was hoofed down long to him, which he didn’t do much with. Both Kruse and Brosque came on with 15 minutes remaining and looked to run and get in behind the Thai defence. The Socceroos tend to be too one-dimensional and predictable with Kennedy being the main man up forward. Why not offer Kruse and Brosque the full 90 to show their stuff?

Against Saudi Arabia, I’d like to see more attacking verve and more options forward than what was seen against Thailand and Oman. The Socceroos have been too one-dimensional and predictable in these games, with an emphasis on Emerton and McKay crossing and playing the long ball. So, Holger, let us shake it up, there is nothing to lose by doing so. I’ve laid out my thoughts here, what are yours?