krakouers
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Well he still is employed, give it time
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AFLW 2024 - Round 10 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Socceroos The Socceroos Thread - The Boss Tony Popovic
- Thread starter Macpotata
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- May 20, 2014
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My read into it would be that Arnold didn't really resign. They just allowed him to save face.
Arnold was linked to club roles in Scotland previously, Hearts have just sacked their manager, interesting to see if he pops up there.
RedStarUncle
Team Captain
Popovic the obvious choice and I think it's a right decision to rush him in for the two October games rather than put an interim coach in place to try and broaden the search.
Say the interim coach draws with China and gets pumped by Japan... you've now got 2 points from 4 games out of 10 in this phase of qualifiers - your broadened net at that point probably doesn't have anyone interested in trying to salvage the campaign and get into the playoffs anyway.
At least now Popa has 8 games in the group knowing it's his campaign and his World Cup if he makes it. And he'd be the top obvious local option anyway (aside from Muscat who apparently is building towards a European career not coaching Australia). So whether or not there had already been discussion with him - there's a fair logic towards making this appointment and making it quickly.
Would love to see something similar from Popovic as how he had Perth Glory playing those few years ago. A back 3 (Rowles-Souttar-Circati) with less defensive demand on the wingbacks which would suit Atkinson, Bos, Behich, etc. and narrow the forward-line so your likes of Boyle, Mabil, Irankunda, etc. are running at goal rather than out towards the corner-flag. Was solid and efficient when Glory played that way and suits the current players well - although I think at Victory he didn't play this way instead it was more a 4-2-3-1 with '4-2-' bit being a fairly defensive block?
Say the interim coach draws with China and gets pumped by Japan... you've now got 2 points from 4 games out of 10 in this phase of qualifiers - your broadened net at that point probably doesn't have anyone interested in trying to salvage the campaign and get into the playoffs anyway.
At least now Popa has 8 games in the group knowing it's his campaign and his World Cup if he makes it. And he'd be the top obvious local option anyway (aside from Muscat who apparently is building towards a European career not coaching Australia). So whether or not there had already been discussion with him - there's a fair logic towards making this appointment and making it quickly.
Would love to see something similar from Popovic as how he had Perth Glory playing those few years ago. A back 3 (Rowles-Souttar-Circati) with less defensive demand on the wingbacks which would suit Atkinson, Bos, Behich, etc. and narrow the forward-line so your likes of Boyle, Mabil, Irankunda, etc. are running at goal rather than out towards the corner-flag. Was solid and efficient when Glory played that way and suits the current players well - although I think at Victory he didn't play this way instead it was more a 4-2-3-1 with '4-2-' bit being a fairly defensive block?
RedStarUncle
Team Captain
CakeEater
Brownlow Medallist
Foxe follows him everywhere
gaskin
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Lol. Geria and Velupillay. The biggest surprise is that he didn't pick his kids.
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Geria should have been called up from the start of the campaign he’ll provide some freshness to the squad. It will be a good experience for Velupillay to be part of the squad has busted his arse off at Victory the past couple of years to get to were he is and Popa will get the best out of him just like he did at Victory, he deserves a call up at the least.
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Glad to see Luongo back.
Did he backtrack on the international retirement?
gaskin
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Yes.
Didn't fancy playing under Arnie
gaskin
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Brattan? Popa has lost the plot.
nobbyiscool
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I feel like it could've been so much worse, a last minute call up after the media stop paying attention is the circumstance under which he'd call up a son.
It makes for funny memes but he hasn't had much to do with his kids for a few seasons no?
Is Robertson still making up his mind on committing or just not selected? Seems madness if it’s the latter, especially with Metcalf and Luongo now out.
Brattan a rather loose selection, but surely he just rides the pine unless we get injuries.
I’m fine with Geria, not like RB is a lock for anyone and no Circati for a long time yet.
Brattan a rather loose selection, but surely he just rides the pine unless we get injuries.
I’m fine with Geria, not like RB is a lock for anyone and no Circati for a long time yet.
gaskin
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Apparently Robertson said no this time around.
gaskin
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This is why Robertson wasn't selected. Seems strange but okay.
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Robertson is a must going forward after FIFA sorts his paperwork.
A midfield of Luongo/Metcalfe/Mcgree actually looks pretty good with options of Robertson, O'Neill, Bacchus, Hrusjtic & Irvine a pretty decent mid on paper. All playing at a decent level in Europe.
For Japan away I'd line up as follows:
-----------------Gauci--------------------
Miller-------Souttar---------Rowes---------Bos
---Irvine---------Oneill-----------McGree
--Goodwin-------Dukey--------Irankunda
Think we looked much better with Bos on at LB. If I were Popa I'd switch Goody to the left side later on in the game and bring on Velupilllay on the right to run at them. He will be on a high after scoring.
I believe Stama would be a better bet up front but in the case of Japan away Duke knows them and is familiar with Japan so I'd start him.
A midfield of Luongo/Metcalfe/Mcgree actually looks pretty good with options of Robertson, O'Neill, Bacchus, Hrusjtic & Irvine a pretty decent mid on paper. All playing at a decent level in Europe.
For Japan away I'd line up as follows:
-----------------Gauci--------------------
Miller-------Souttar---------Rowes---------Bos
---Irvine---------Oneill-----------McGree
--Goodwin-------Dukey--------Irankunda
Think we looked much better with Bos on at LB. If I were Popa I'd switch Goody to the left side later on in the game and bring on Velupilllay on the right to run at them. He will be on a high after scoring.
I believe Stama would be a better bet up front but in the case of Japan away Duke knows them and is familiar with Japan so I'd start him.
- Dec 22, 2009
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Real shame about Circati, hopefully recovers well in 12 months time and has a big season going into WC 2026. Which isn't that far away!
