So Leckie’s in – five spots left. Josh Brillante has had an exceptional year for Sydney. He’s the sort of player that many fans don’t really notice because he’s in the engine room, doing the dirty work with not many frills (except his long range passing and shooting). 

He’s a bit like Aaron Mooy was at Melbourne City – great statistics on effective tackles, completed passes and ground covered. He deserves to be picked (and might go to another level surrounded by such quality players) but does he offer much difference from Mooy, Luongo, Irvine and Milligan?

It’s attackers we need. Players who can prise open defences and this is where I start to get annoyed with van Marwijk. I’m very pleased he’s picked Dimi Petratos and Andrew Nabbout in the initial 29, but what are their chances of truly going to Russia? I would certainly take both of them because they have something other Australian attackers do not. Pace combined with skill combined with artistry and vision. Those two forged a genuine goal-generating relationship at Newcastle and that same relationship could help the Socceroos - especially when blending with better players.

Three spots left. I haven’t mentioned James Troisi yet. He’s improved lately but he’s had an indifferent year for Victory – time to look to the future. That’s why I was disappointed to see no Chris Ikonomidis or Daniel Arzani in the squad. Disappointed for Danny De Silva also but he’s not had anything like the recent impact he had at the start of the A-League season.

Not picking Arzani is madness. Yes, he’s only played a handful of games but any half-decent judge needs to take just one look at that kid. The boy can play and can you imagine what it would be like to see him running off the likes of Mooy, Rogic, Petratos and Nabbout? I’m feeling genuinely ripped off that we’re not going to see that in Russia. Hopefully Arnie has a quiet word to reassure the lad he’s in his plans for the Asian Cup because if Iran step in and pick him for Russia I’ll be screaming.

I guess we have to take Juric, so that leaves two more places.

Nikita Rukavytsya? Another Kruse type with heaps of pace and no touch. Just underscores the tragedy of no Arzani or Ikonomidis. It’ll be two out of MacLaren, Ruka, Troisi and Kruse. At least I hope so because if he takes all four it means no Petratos and Nabbout, and if they don’t get picked I’m just gonna give up and go for…I dunno…Iceland?

I get the need for pragmatism but I firmly believe that picking someone like Arzani is pragmatic. Who else have we got that can so consistently pick open defences. Hopefully Arnie will bring a very fresh broom for the Asian Cup.

Adrian’s latest book The Fighting Man is in the shops right now or available through Booktopia. Adrian also wrote Mr Cleansheets.