yep should never look at the SPL as an option. Rubbish league.
Only a friendly against an understrength Costa Rica but there were encouraging signs with glimpses shown of the way Ange wants the team to play. Ball movement was quicker, sharper and off the ball running was a lot more prevalent. Defensive structure was a lot better with the whole team pressing well and making it hard for CR to open up any holes.
Good to see players like Leckie, Davidson, Williams and Franjic starting. Leckie missed a sitter and Davidson made a few errors but that happens and that's why these guys need game time, would persevere with both.
Reckon Williams is a lock at Centre back, not sold on Franjic and Vidosic but all for giving them a run to see if they have what it takes. Rogic and Oar should and probably will be starters.
Milligan has his knockers, but Ive warmed to him and think he's in the mix for a starting role. Reads the play well and could do worse with him as one of our defensive mids. Jedinak is great at breaking down attacks, absolute tower of strength in front of the back 4 but think his skills and vision are a bit lacking and needs to keep working.
Cahill looks much better as a drifting mid, his biggest weapon apart from the actual scoring is an innate ability to make late runs from deep and be in the right place at the right time, playing as a striker doesn't allow him to do this.
Kruse just continues to get better and better, going to Germany was the right move for him, but is at the point where hes going to need to start playing regularly.
We don't have the top end talent we had in 2006 but we have a deeper pool to choose from and can comfortably be a strong international side with the right setup imo. ....and who knows if players like Rogic are given opportunities they may well turn into our next stars.