The A-League development system is working to an extent, but it can only get better.
Look at players like Dave Carney, Michael Beauchamp and Mile Jedinak that the league has brought through. You can see that Djite and Jamieson are the next ones who will start working their way into the Aussie squads on merit, not just as young guys, in a few years.
There are a lot of improvements to be made:
A-League managers
Sydney has stepped in the right direction with Lavicka, and if he is successful, expect other clubs to do the same. The best of the local coaches need to be exposed to new ideas and more sophisticated tactics to develop, as has happened in Japan. This is starting to happen.
NYL
This is purely down to time. We have to wait for the years to pass to see the benefits of the national youth league. Sydney FC is already an example of how young guys can be fast-tracked to the top domestic level though. This is happening.
Expansion
More teams means more games. It's the first thing these foreign guys like Pim say - we need more games. This is happening.
More money
More money means more fringe Socceroos coming back, and better imports. This will improve the overall standard and bring players like those in last night's loss up with it. I'm sure profitability is at the top of the FFA's list, so this is happening best as it can (we all know the challenges).
So things are happening, and everything is heading in the right direction. Their effects will take time, that is all.
MEGA LOL at peole criticising Verbeek and his results. I hope you boycott watching our matches in South Africa as a protest!!!! When's the last time a first string Australia even conceded a goal?!?! Why have people's expectations around here soared to such unrealistic, bullshit levels on domestic and international fronts?
Razorback said:
Of course because Lawire's selections in recent games have been spot on! Wake up to yourself.
LOL at this too. Lawrie tried every different combination of players (bar Greg Owens) in the last 5 games and they simple weren't good enough to beat a superior opposition. We didn't have better players than Hernandez, Moore and Dodd wasting away on our bench!