Kick Out All The Losers And Start Again | John Nicholson
Intriguing proposal. Rather than a left field rant it actually seems a fair option although would be pretty testing on the talent pool, however, maybe it is the kick start the team needs to get headed back in the right direction.
We wanted it here in Aus after '06, then again after 2010 and the Asia Cup this year, but it's still a matter of the older hands calling time rather than being pushed out by the newer breed.
It's always struck me as odd as the majority of our dominant national sporting teams have high turnover of players. Mens and Womens hockey, netball, Union, League (maybe not so much), even swimming (probably more so than ever before and than any other team).
Tom Sermanni did it with our womens team, winning the Asia Cup and 2 QF runs in the last two WCs. the future looks really strong for them.
Our Cricket team has suffered from stagnation and 30yo debuters.
The Socceroos weren't far behind, but since the association revamp on '04 there's been a ripple of breeze of change.
The best thing for us I see will be when we lose our world reputation players in Kewell, Cahill, Neill and Schwarzer. Yeah it'll hurt losing their quality, but opens more doors of opportunity for new, fresh, different players.
To follow the Nich's idea through there'd be some hard calls for the current Old Dart starting 11.
For me, I reckon Stevie G, Hair Plugs and Gaz Baz would be hard done by from it, but Rio, J-Tezz, Cashly, Frank are due researching retirement properties. Time to step aside and/or mentor the kids, especially as they're generally on the cusp of (or past it even) of age catching up Vs abilities. The worst thing is hanging on longer than one should.
So who would be your new, untainted 11?
... I suppose this would be the opening Joey "FIGJAM" Barton would be hoping for.
Intriguing proposal. Rather than a left field rant it actually seems a fair option although would be pretty testing on the talent pool, however, maybe it is the kick start the team needs to get headed back in the right direction.
We wanted it here in Aus after '06, then again after 2010 and the Asia Cup this year, but it's still a matter of the older hands calling time rather than being pushed out by the newer breed.
It's always struck me as odd as the majority of our dominant national sporting teams have high turnover of players. Mens and Womens hockey, netball, Union, League (maybe not so much), even swimming (probably more so than ever before and than any other team).
Tom Sermanni did it with our womens team, winning the Asia Cup and 2 QF runs in the last two WCs. the future looks really strong for them.
Our Cricket team has suffered from stagnation and 30yo debuters.
The Socceroos weren't far behind, but since the association revamp on '04 there's been a ripple of breeze of change.
The best thing for us I see will be when we lose our world reputation players in Kewell, Cahill, Neill and Schwarzer. Yeah it'll hurt losing their quality, but opens more doors of opportunity for new, fresh, different players.
To follow the Nich's idea through there'd be some hard calls for the current Old Dart starting 11.
For me, I reckon Stevie G, Hair Plugs and Gaz Baz would be hard done by from it, but Rio, J-Tezz, Cashly, Frank are due researching retirement properties. Time to step aside and/or mentor the kids, especially as they're generally on the cusp of (or past it even) of age catching up Vs abilities. The worst thing is hanging on longer than one should.
So who would be your new, untainted 11?
... I suppose this would be the opening Joey "FIGJAM" Barton would be hoping for.