I think we’re also at the point now where we’re paying the price for the failing of the NSL and the lack of youth development in the initial years of the A League.
We’re now seeing the first bulk lot of kids coming through professional youth setups breaking through to the first team and moving overseas. I’m not saying that there weren’t players like this coming through over the last 10 years, more that they were fewer and farther between and generally just above average for the level here. Think your Arzani’s, De Silva’s, Tilio’s, Goodwin’s etc.
I think we’ll see a much stronger and better skilled squad for the 2030 & 2034 cycles.
We’ll have Gauci, Glover, Bilokapic and Pavlesic battling it out for GK. Izzo is there as well.
All of our CB’s will be under 30 when qualification starts. Souttar will be coming into his prime and who knows Circati’s ceiling.
There’s a whole bunch of midfielders coming through, whoever the coach is just needs to find the right combination/balance in there.
The only position we look to still be struggling at is an out and out #9 if Kusini Yengi doesn’t kick on. We’re looking at 33yo Adam Taggart or Bang Average leading the line if he doesn’t.
More seriously though, maybe Apostolos Stamatelopoulos will kick on overseas. Maybe Irankunda will find his spot as a #9 rather than a winger.
The concern I have is the coach we’re probably going to be stuck with 2030. Someone who sets up his teams to derive no joy or imagination whatsoever from the game of football.
We’ve made 5 straight world cups but had a different manager at all of them (Guus, Pim, Ange, Bert & Arnie). I don’t see Poppa being the first to take us to 2.
I know what you’re saying but the last guy hardly had us playing free flowing, expansive football either.
I’m not sure what the alternative is though. I can’t think of any viable Australian candidate and the vast majority of international managers that get around countries at our level also play a defensive style.
Really hope Stametalopoulos can settle and get back to scoring goals frequently. Along with him the other options that should be getting considered are:
Mohammed Toure’s got 3 goals and 4 assists in 12 games for Randers this season. Slowly increasing how many minutes hes getting - and looks like all his minutes are at 9. Definitely a name thats been forgotten about.
John Iredale’s got 3 in 12 in the Danish league too.
