To see the Socceroos train in Sydney...

The experienced German has attracted favourable reviews from critics since taking over from Dutchman Pim Verbeek last month, as he looks to introduce a more attacking game plan.

And while he is still very much in the honeymoon stage of his four-year stint in Australia, it seems the 62-year-old German has already won over the playing group ahead of Saturday's friendly clash against Paraguay at the SFS.

"He's a good character," veteran midfielder Jason Culina said of Osieck on Thursday.

"We just had a team meeting now and it was quite enjoyable."

"He's enthusiastic, he likes to express himself and get the point across and that's great to have a coach like that."

"He's not serious all the time, he's serious when he has to be but he can crack a joke every now and then which is good for the boys."

Saudi Arabia based defender Jon McKain also admits he's been pleasantly surprised by the German's personable style.

"He's good, he's an interesting guy, he's very enthusiastic," McKain said.

"I thought coming in he'd be quite strict and very regimented I suppose, and he is that when he needs to be, but he's also very relaxed at times."

"And it's good for the players to be able to be personable with him, and he's brought across his personality to the group and it's been a very positive one."

"Pim was also hands-on but in a different way. Holger's very much more approachable for me personally I think, but they're both different coaches and Holger's brought a different aspect to the national team and one that I'm quite happy with so far."

McKain, who is locked in a three-way battle with Michael Thwaite and Jade North to replace injured skipper and central defender Lucas Neill on Saturday, knows the pressure in on to perform if selected this weekend.

"It's good when a new coach comes in to give players an opportunity and I'm wary enough to know, particularly in our sport, you get one chance maybe two chances but you don't get more than that so you've got to perform," McKain said.

"It's pleasing to get a chance, particularly so early in a new coach's reign and hopefully I can impress enough to be in there."

Thwaite, one of six A-League players in Osieck's 19-man squad, has also vowed to make the most of his recall to the national squad.

"Obviously coming into camp it's great to be involved again and with Lucas dropping out it's a massive opportunity for one of us to step up again," Thwaite said.

"Obviously in my opinion it's out of Jonny (McKain), Jado (Jade North) and myself. Two of us have to play, which is a great thing I think."

Meanwhile, Culina confirmed Osieck has given the Socceroos licence to attack this weekend.

"That's something he's emphasised since coming into camp since taking over that he would like us to play forward and express ourselves a little bit more," Culina said.

"So yeah it's good, it's something that we enjoy doing and something that we thrive on and that's going forward, scoring and setting up opportunities and winning games."

The Socceroos are unbeaten in two matches under Osieck having recorded a 0-0 draw against Switzerland and a 2-1 win over Poland early last month.

To see the Socceroos train in Sydney...