Sunday, June 03, 2007
Friendly Fire - yet another update
One of the best things you can say about the Socceroos under Graham Arnold is that their friendly internationals do tend to be entertaining. The contrast between last night's 2-1 loss to Uruguay and our previous international losses one home soil, the two dour matches against Turkey in mid-2004, is stark.
The mainly second-string side played with enterprise and confidence for most of the first half, but appeared to lose their collective composure in the second, when Uruguay's well-organised defence and slick inter-passing were impressive.
Brad Jones did not inspire much confidence in goal. Even apart from his horrific error late in the second half, he appeared slow to take command in his area for much of the evening.
At the other end, Scott McDonald became the latest to thrash about in a lone striker role for which he is obviously unsuited (when on earth are we going to take the field with two genuine strikers?). Brett Holman had nothing like the influence he exerted in China, and his mostly anonymous performance tends to suggest that he would be better employed in a genuine striking role, rather than the "three-quarter" position he occupied last night.
It was good to see Nick Carle back in the green and gold, but his cameo (which should, perhaps, have started a little earlier) neatly encapsulated some of his admirable and not-so-admirable qualities. Among the former you can count his penchant for pulling surprises on the ball - more than once, he found himself space in a tight area with an unexpected little shimmy - and his ability to slide clever balls through to the front-line.
On the minus side of the ledger, his comparative one-footedness blunted his general effectiveness at times, not least when he tried, rather over-elaborately, to employ his better left foot for a cross over from the right. The result was not flattering.
He is worth a place in the squad, certainly. And I hope Graham Arnold does not repeat Frank Farina's mistake of 2004, when he left Carle out of the squad for the Athens Olympics. Players who can pull surprises are always welcome, if only as options on the bench.
Set-pieces? Poor, once again, especially by contrast with Alvaro Recoba's insidious left-footed heat-seekers. Australia's defence from set-pieces, too, gave cause for some concern.
Still, let's not forget that this was Uruguay's first team against a much-depleted Australian eleven, in a match which produced its fair share of entertainment. An engaging game with some youngsters on show - you can't ask for too much more from a friendly.
The mainly second-string side played with enterprise and confidence for most of the first half, but appeared to lose their collective composure in the second, when Uruguay's well-organised defence and slick inter-passing were impressive.
Brad Jones did not inspire much confidence in goal. Even apart from his horrific error late in the second half, he appeared slow to take command in his area for much of the evening.
At the other end, Scott McDonald became the latest to thrash about in a lone striker role for which he is obviously unsuited (when on earth are we going to take the field with two genuine strikers?). Brett Holman had nothing like the influence he exerted in China, and his mostly anonymous performance tends to suggest that he would be better employed in a genuine striking role, rather than the "three-quarter" position he occupied last night.
It was good to see Nick Carle back in the green and gold, but his cameo (which should, perhaps, have started a little earlier) neatly encapsulated some of his admirable and not-so-admirable qualities. Among the former you can count his penchant for pulling surprises on the ball - more than once, he found himself space in a tight area with an unexpected little shimmy - and his ability to slide clever balls through to the front-line.
On the minus side of the ledger, his comparative one-footedness blunted his general effectiveness at times, not least when he tried, rather over-elaborately, to employ his better left foot for a cross over from the right. The result was not flattering.
He is worth a place in the squad, certainly. And I hope Graham Arnold does not repeat Frank Farina's mistake of 2004, when he left Carle out of the squad for the Athens Olympics. Players who can pull surprises are always welcome, if only as options on the bench.
Set-pieces? Poor, once again, especially by contrast with Alvaro Recoba's insidious left-footed heat-seekers. Australia's defence from set-pieces, too, gave cause for some concern.
Still, let's not forget that this was Uruguay's first team against a much-depleted Australian eleven, in a match which produced its fair share of entertainment. An engaging game with some youngsters on show - you can't ask for too much more from a friendly.
Comments:
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Holman hasn't played since the middle of April due to injury as far as I know. But yes I do see him more as an out-and-out striker to attack the last line of defence. Interesting that a lot of people seem to think he's more of an attacking midfielder. Even putting aside his early NSL career, his attributes suggest to me that he's a natural striker. Work rate can change a lot.
The scepticism people had hanging over him after the China game was whether he could be up to the level against opposition like last night, with his poor game against Denmark in mind. That's going to be stronger now I would think and as with the Denmark game it's a bit unfair considering his circumstances.
Any thoughts on some of the Uruguayan players themselves?
The scepticism people had hanging over him after the China game was whether he could be up to the level against opposition like last night, with his poor game against Denmark in mind. That's going to be stronger now I would think and as with the Denmark game it's a bit unfair considering his circumstances.
Any thoughts on some of the Uruguayan players themselves?
# posted by 
: June 3, 2007 at 12:12 PM
: June 3, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Not a bad performance all up, with quite few positives.
Kisnorbo had a solid game again. Some posters on other forums suggested that he was at fault for the first goal, but I thought Jones should have collected Recoba's ball TBH.
Neill showed excellent leadership again, and I feel he should be the permanent captain from now on. His influence is immeasurable.
I'm really starting to like this kid Valeri who shapes up as decent back up for Grella.
It's hard to believe that Sterjovski was the NT version of David Zdrilic not that long ago - with all the donkey jibes from the boo boys, but he really has had a good 12 months in the G & G. I think he has the best football brain of Australia's attacking players, even if his execution doesn't always do him justice. But he does have that uncanny ability to find space for himself at the right time.
People have been criticising Wilkshire yet again, but I thought he was good last night - set up Emerton with the run down the right which created the goal and seems far more confident.
On to the negatives, mainly Graham Arnold! - his persistance with this lone ranger system is now beyond a joke. He really should be named Mr Square Peg.
It's fine when Viduka plays - and even then Dooks would be more effective with a forward partner - but that system NEVER WORKS when someone else is given the short straw. Using the tiny McDonald as a target man.... well, I'm just speechless....
The other disturbing trend under Arnold's leadership is the return to the days of our national team coming out of the blocks quickly and fading at the business end of the match. With the humid conditions of SE Asia to contend with in the Asian Cup, we could be in trouble if we don't have a lead at half time if this is an indication of things to come.
To be fair to Arnold, he does ring in a heap of changes after half time in friendlies, unlike Frank Farina. At least he's made a greater attempt at blooding youngsters, but my problem is that he gives minutes to the wrong players IMO. I'm just wondering how badly the likes of Griffiths and North (in previous matches) have to play before being dropped from the national set-up.
The shaky performance of Jones comes as no surprise after seeing a few of his Middlesborough matches last season I think it was. Pity Vukovic was unavailable - would have been a great test for him.
Another point - I'm absolutely convinced that our overseas-based second stringers are no better than the A-League players. All we need is a longer season.
- TFO
Kisnorbo had a solid game again. Some posters on other forums suggested that he was at fault for the first goal, but I thought Jones should have collected Recoba's ball TBH.
Neill showed excellent leadership again, and I feel he should be the permanent captain from now on. His influence is immeasurable.
I'm really starting to like this kid Valeri who shapes up as decent back up for Grella.
It's hard to believe that Sterjovski was the NT version of David Zdrilic not that long ago - with all the donkey jibes from the boo boys, but he really has had a good 12 months in the G & G. I think he has the best football brain of Australia's attacking players, even if his execution doesn't always do him justice. But he does have that uncanny ability to find space for himself at the right time.
People have been criticising Wilkshire yet again, but I thought he was good last night - set up Emerton with the run down the right which created the goal and seems far more confident.
On to the negatives, mainly Graham Arnold! - his persistance with this lone ranger system is now beyond a joke. He really should be named Mr Square Peg.
It's fine when Viduka plays - and even then Dooks would be more effective with a forward partner - but that system NEVER WORKS when someone else is given the short straw. Using the tiny McDonald as a target man.... well, I'm just speechless....
The other disturbing trend under Arnold's leadership is the return to the days of our national team coming out of the blocks quickly and fading at the business end of the match. With the humid conditions of SE Asia to contend with in the Asian Cup, we could be in trouble if we don't have a lead at half time if this is an indication of things to come.
To be fair to Arnold, he does ring in a heap of changes after half time in friendlies, unlike Frank Farina. At least he's made a greater attempt at blooding youngsters, but my problem is that he gives minutes to the wrong players IMO. I'm just wondering how badly the likes of Griffiths and North (in previous matches) have to play before being dropped from the national set-up.
The shaky performance of Jones comes as no surprise after seeing a few of his Middlesborough matches last season I think it was. Pity Vukovic was unavailable - would have been a great test for him.
Another point - I'm absolutely convinced that our overseas-based second stringers are no better than the A-League players. All we need is a longer season.
- TFO
# posted by : June 3, 2007 at 12:47 PM
: June 3, 2007 at 12:47 PM
...Any thoughts on some of the Uruguayan players themselves?...
As usual, I was probably concentrating too much on the Oz players...but I was impressed with that young LB (Fucile?) when he came on. As for the others, Forlan showed just how much they missed him in Nov. 05, and Recoba...well, he may be slow and lazy these days, but he is an absolute class player. No two ways about it.
I was surprised that Estoyanoff (who I thought was one of their better players in the 2005 playoff) didn't get more game time.
...Kisnorbo had a solid game again. Some posters on other forums suggested that he was at fault for the first goal, but I thought Jones should have collected Recoba's ball TBH....
He's excellent in the air and makes the most of his physical power, but I wasn't too happy with some of his marking at set-pieces. Not quite the finished article but will be a NT regular in a few years' time, IMO.
...People have been criticising Wilkshire yet again, but I thought he was good last night - set up Emerton with the run down the right which created the goal and seems far more confident....
I'm usually the first to defend Wilko, but I thought he was shown up a bit last night. In particular, he constantly allowed his man to cut inside him and get forward (something that happened against Japan at the WC too, when he was in a similar position). And he was partly at fault for both Uruguay goals (giving away the foul for the first and letting Giacomazzi get in a cross a bit too easily for the second, although admittedly he was defending on his "wrong" side).
...On to the negatives, mainly Graham Arnold! - his persistance with this lone ranger system is now beyond a joke. He really should be named Mr Square Peg.
It's fine when Viduka plays - and even then Dooks would be more effective with a forward partner - but that system NEVER WORKS when someone else is given the short straw. Using the tiny McDonald as a target man.... well, I'm just speechless...
Yep. I've made my views on this very clear in the past. IMO Arnie just needs to move on from Guus, put it that way.
...To be fair to Arnold, he does ring in a heap of changes after half time in friendlies, unlike Frank Farina. At least he's made a greater attempt at blooding youngsters, but my problem is that he gives minutes to the wrong players IMO. I'm just wondering how badly the likes of Griffiths and North (in previous matches) have to play before being dropped from the national set-up....
That was the thing that used to frustrate me the most about Farina (the Jamaica friendly in 2003 was the worst in this regard, an absolute joke). In fairness to Arnie, he was somewhat circumscribed in his choices this time for Olyroo reasons (i.e. no Bridge, Milligan etc.). I certainly can't see what Ryan Griffiths offers that certain others don't.
...Another point - I'm absolutely convinced that our overseas-based second stringers are no better than the A-League players. All we need is a longer season....
I still think there is a gap there, but it's not as large as some seem to think. And yep, the short length of the A-League is the major problem with that competition IMO. TV schedules and egg-ball clashes still a pain...
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As usual, I was probably concentrating too much on the Oz players...but I was impressed with that young LB (Fucile?) when he came on. As for the others, Forlan showed just how much they missed him in Nov. 05, and Recoba...well, he may be slow and lazy these days, but he is an absolute class player. No two ways about it.
I was surprised that Estoyanoff (who I thought was one of their better players in the 2005 playoff) didn't get more game time.
...Kisnorbo had a solid game again. Some posters on other forums suggested that he was at fault for the first goal, but I thought Jones should have collected Recoba's ball TBH....
He's excellent in the air and makes the most of his physical power, but I wasn't too happy with some of his marking at set-pieces. Not quite the finished article but will be a NT regular in a few years' time, IMO.
...People have been criticising Wilkshire yet again, but I thought he was good last night - set up Emerton with the run down the right which created the goal and seems far more confident....
I'm usually the first to defend Wilko, but I thought he was shown up a bit last night. In particular, he constantly allowed his man to cut inside him and get forward (something that happened against Japan at the WC too, when he was in a similar position). And he was partly at fault for both Uruguay goals (giving away the foul for the first and letting Giacomazzi get in a cross a bit too easily for the second, although admittedly he was defending on his "wrong" side).
...On to the negatives, mainly Graham Arnold! - his persistance with this lone ranger system is now beyond a joke. He really should be named Mr Square Peg.
It's fine when Viduka plays - and even then Dooks would be more effective with a forward partner - but that system NEVER WORKS when someone else is given the short straw. Using the tiny McDonald as a target man.... well, I'm just speechless...
Yep. I've made my views on this very clear in the past. IMO Arnie just needs to move on from Guus, put it that way.
...To be fair to Arnold, he does ring in a heap of changes after half time in friendlies, unlike Frank Farina. At least he's made a greater attempt at blooding youngsters, but my problem is that he gives minutes to the wrong players IMO. I'm just wondering how badly the likes of Griffiths and North (in previous matches) have to play before being dropped from the national set-up....
That was the thing that used to frustrate me the most about Farina (the Jamaica friendly in 2003 was the worst in this regard, an absolute joke). In fairness to Arnie, he was somewhat circumscribed in his choices this time for Olyroo reasons (i.e. no Bridge, Milligan etc.). I certainly can't see what Ryan Griffiths offers that certain others don't.
...Another point - I'm absolutely convinced that our overseas-based second stringers are no better than the A-League players. All we need is a longer season....
I still think there is a gap there, but it's not as large as some seem to think. And yep, the short length of the A-League is the major problem with that competition IMO. TV schedules and egg-ball clashes still a pain...
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