In a revealing interview with FourFourTwo magazine out now, Postecoglou said there were some potential advantages to being thrown into the job some seven months out from the biggest single tournament in the world.

“Potentially there could [advantages] and that’s how I’ll be viewing it. I don’t think anyone believes the results against Brazil and France are a true reflection of where we’re at. Both these games were an anomaly in many respects.

“Hopefully we’ve lulled the world into a false sense of security!

Postecoglou added that first class standards off the pitch were vital in bridging the gap with bigger nations.

“Our scouting, analysis, overall preparation and sports sciences – it needs to be world’s best practice. There are maybe countries out there who have more talent than us but who don’t do those things so well.

“So if we’re going to get an edge, those are the areas. So in the lead up to the World Cup, if we can improve in those areas to give us a competitive edge, then the short time span might give us a chance to surprise a few.”

Read the full interview in the new 442 magazine out now in newsagents.

And on iTunes right here and on Zinio right here

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Plenty more of course in the new issue…

Besart Berisha: Roar’s goal-scoring King reveals the other side of his story

Gareth Bale: how to terrorise defenders – Performance tips from Real’s superstar

A-League’s Latin American maestros: Profiles on four of the best from South America

Andrew Durante: Aussie All White – the story of how Oz missed out

Inside Atletico Madrid: Inside the sensational Spanish club taking it to Barca and Real Madrid

Les Murray: the challenges ahead for Ange

Frank Lampard: one-on-one answers readers’ questions

Spurs’ Argentine flyer Erik Lamela- the next Bale?

How to press…. Let Luis Enrique from Celta Vigo show how it’s done

On the road with Bosnia’s fans for their crunch World Cup qualifier