What’s more, you have to use them. I’d even start them – build the team around them – because they are our only hope of getting anything out of France and Denmark. Any other approach (such as that we saw in Russia under Van Marwijk) will only play into their hands because conservative, safety-first football is (a) what they expect; and (b) we’re just not good enough to trouble them with that.

Jason Cummings is a pure footballer – the like of which we rarely breed in this country, especially up front.

There is no aspect of his game which is not first class (by Australian standards). His football brain is like a supercomputer which is always contriving some means of hurting the enemy. He is always available for a pass; he has outstanding first touch; he has unbelievable vision and always knows where his teammates are and where they are going. He can play short and long passes with incredible accuracy; he can link up with the midfield; he can set up chances for others and his finishing is lethal.

His stats speak for themselves. His goals and assists per game – in an unfancied team – are unprecedented. Can you imagine what his numbers would be like playing for Melbourne City?

No other (current) Australian striker comes close to Cummings. They all have their good points: MacLaren is an excellent fox-in-the-box; Duke is a robust #9, good in the air with a powerful shot; Taggart is a blend of the two…

But none of them link with the midfield the way Cummings does. All three can look isolated in Socceroos matches because they want to play off the shoulder or have service in a very particular way. Cummings doesn’t need that. He goes looking for the ball and then plays others in from deep if he can’t be there himself. He had a number of assists on the weekend and might have had more goals if not for some curious officiating.

His partner in crime, despite very limited opportunity, is young Garang Kuol.

Much has already been written about this incredible talent and, after this month, A League fans will not see him in Australia for a very long time, unless playing for the NT.

I’ve already seen him called the Aussie Mbappe on several forums (both Australian and British) and, while we are always wary of saddling youngsters with outrageous comparisons – it’s fair enough. Mbappe burst onto the scene just before Russia 2018 with amazing touch and finishing at pace.

That’s Kuol’s game – touch and finishing at pace. His balance and ball control at full pelt are world class. It’s why Newcastle United have invested in him and I’ve zero doubt he will become (injuries and other vicissitudes permitting) the most famous Australian player of all time.

Another outrageous call – I know – but I won’t shrink from it. He really is that good and I believe he welcomes the scrutiny.

His relationship with Cummings is just brilliant as was very apparent against Western United. They are arguably two of Australia’s most in-form attacking players so why wouldn’t you pair them together to plot an upset against the Euro Giants?

Cummings knows how to feed Kuol and then knows where to be when Kuol bursts into the box, looking for the spearhead. If all of us can see that then surely Arnie can.

Cummings and Kuol have the technique, the pace and the smarts to cause problems for France and Denmark. No-one else does.

They need to be picked. They need to start, and they need a team selected around them that can facilitate and empower the way they like to play.

Pace, touch and aggression are the main ingredients – so Arnie has to pick the other 24 who are best equipped to give Cummings and Kuol the chance they need.

And why should Arnie listen to me?

Because I’ve (mostly) been one of his supporters and defended his reputation against those who’ve always deplored his tactics and selections.

To be fair, he’s never had the kind of weapons at his disposal that he suddenly has now so a conservative approach was defensible.

No longer.

The weapons are there, and if Arnie doesn’t select them, or use them properly, then he’ll have no higher standing in Australian football than Peter Hoare.

 

Adrian's books can be purchased at any good bookstore or through ebook alchemy. His first sci-fi novel (Asparagus Grass) will be published by Hague Publishing in early 2023.