Richard Michael
DeanoHarmoShould Graham Arnold go?
July 13th 2007 13:22
Category: No Category
Is the resurgence of football in Australia over the last couple of years in danger of unravelling? It's a long bow to draw, but the disappointing performance of the Socceroos in the Asian Cup to date is a harsh reality check after the euphoria of Australia making the knockout stages of last year's World Cup.
The performance against Iraq was a stinker. The first goal came when keeper Mark Schwarzer was caught napping. Elementary defensive mixups gifted the Iraqis their second and third goals. And a tournament that started with Australia being considered among the likely teams to win the event now sees the Australian team needing a 3-0 win against Thailand just to get part the group stage.
All night they were slow, all night they were flat, all night they looked barely interested in the contest. But what was most galling of all was coach Graham Arnold's interview after the game. Amazingly, Arnold asserted "There are players who don't want to be here."
Who are those players Graham? Coaching lession for dummies 101 - the first thing any coach needs, more than any tactical manoevres or set plays, is 11 players who want to play. If Arnold can't motivate his players to play, surely he should have selected players who did want to play. Or alternatively stand aside and get a coach who is capable of motivating his players.
But that sure isn't Graham Arnold. He couldn't do it at Northern Spirit, and he sure can't do it here.
It would be a tragedy if the gains made by football in the last couple of years were lost. They won't be, the structure of the game is so much stronger now than it was in the old Soccer Australia days. But the flag-bearers of the sport in Australia will always be the national team; and the public jump off the Socceroos bandwagon after a performance like this it would be a major setback for the game.
Pic from Sportal.com.au
The performance against Iraq was a stinker. The first goal came when keeper Mark Schwarzer was caught napping. Elementary defensive mixups gifted the Iraqis their second and third goals. And a tournament that started with Australia being considered among the likely teams to win the event now sees the Australian team needing a 3-0 win against Thailand just to get part the group stage.
Is it time for embattled Socceroo coach Graham Arnold to step down?
Who are those players Graham? Coaching lession for dummies 101 - the first thing any coach needs, more than any tactical manoevres or set plays, is 11 players who want to play. If Arnold can't motivate his players to play, surely he should have selected players who did want to play. Or alternatively stand aside and get a coach who is capable of motivating his players.
It would be a tragedy if the gains made by football in the last couple of years were lost. They won't be, the structure of the game is so much stronger now than it was in the old Soccer Australia days. But the flag-bearers of the sport in Australia will always be the national team; and the public jump off the Socceroos bandwagon after a performance like this it would be a major setback for the game.
Pic from Sportal.com.au
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Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Arnold Horschack, Arnold Schwarzaneggar, Arnold Ziffal, Arnold from the Happy Days TV series - in fact any other Arnold you'd care to name would command more respect and could lead the Socceroo's with more authority than Graham Arnold.
Give yourself an uppercut Graham - bring back Guus!
MNG
Comment by Michael Shillito
Nozzin' Aroun'
The latest name rumoured to be interested in the Australia job is Dick Advocaat. With his record, that would be a good signing for the Socceroos.