Where’s The New Generation

Pim Verbeek has come out and highlighted Australia’s missing Olympic generation. This is nothing new as several commentators like Les Murray and Craig Foster have done so in the past but it further raises the concern that we are not seeing younger quality players coming through.

In this two part series I take a look at the last Olyroos squad and where they are at now. I have ignored the overage players.

Goalkeepers
Adam Federici (Reading, England : On loan to Southend)
Offically joined the Royals in 2006 (after spending some time there the previous season) and since has seen very little game time (9 appearances in 2 seasons). Recently he has been loaned out to League 1 side Southend where reports indicate that he has impressed.

It seems he is contracted to Reading until June 2009. He probably needs to move and find a position as the regular starting keeper, even if that means dropping down permanently to League 1.

Certainly has potentially to develop and at 23 has plenty of time to grow into the role. Should really be pushing as Schwarzer’s backup for the World Cup.


Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory, Australia)
Burst onto the scene last year and probably gained his spot due to the Vukovic suspension. Inexplicitly was relegated to third choice keeper this year when Mitchell went out and obtained Frank Juric as the first choice keeper.

A series of poor performances from both Juric and Petkovic however have seen the youngster promoted back to a starting position where he has outperformed both of his older competitors. It looks like he will be the first choice starter for the remainder of the year and this should help build his confidence.

He still needs 2-3 years here in Australia occupying a starting position before heading off overseas but so far this 21 seems to be on track for a long career.

Defenders
Adrian Leijer (Fulham, England)
One of the fan favourites while at Melbourne Victory he made the move across to Premiership team Fulham in 2007/08 season. Since then however he has yet to make an appearance for the Cottagers, though he has been a regular in their reserves.

Along with Matthew Spiranovic, Adrian is one of the most talented centre backs that we have coming through. He is contracted until June 2010 to Fulham but he desperately needs first team match time. Either a transfer to a Championship team or a loan is critical to his development which seems to have stagnated.


Matthew Spiranovic (FC Nurnberg, Germany)
Since FC Nurnberg’s demotion to the second tier of the Bundesliga Matthew seems to be getting much more first team match time and seems to becoming a regular within their starting team.
Still very young (20), he is an exciting player who has the long term potential to be at least as good as Craig Moore and Lucas Neill. He is in a good position at the moment and he now needs to cement his position as a regular starter and build that into a transfer to a bigger club (whether within the Bundesliga or elsewhere).

Would really like to see him starting in the upcoming AFC Cup qualifying matches in January and March.


Mark Milligan (Newcastle Jets, Australia)
You could write a book about the mistakes Mark has made recently with respect to his career. After a dream run being selected as a train on player for the World Cup by Guus Hiddick and winning a starting position as a 20 year old with Sydney FC it seems to all have gone downhill quickly.

There is no doubt that the kid has talent but I think he is his own worst enemy and you need to question the advice he is getting. One of the issues he has is that he doesn’t seem to have a natural position. Is he a right back, centre back or holding midfielder ? Back with the Jets now he has a chance to get regular match time once again under his belt but his recent overseas tour of European clubs was a disaster and his career has taken a large hit.

Pim does seem to have maintained confidence in him and you would expect he will be selected for the AFC Cup Squad in the upcoming matches.


Ruben Zadkovich (Derby County, England)
Got to admit I am not a fan. Was surprised to see him land a contract at recently demoted Derby County and I suspected he wouldn’t see much match time once they saw him on the training track. To date he has been used twice as a late sub by Paul Jewell and to be honest there is no indication this will change.

To develop Ruben needs match time and I just can’t see that happening at Derby. At 22 years of age he should be playing as a starter and he will need to drop down to a lower league to achieve that. He appears to be going nowhere fast. We may see him back in the A-League sooner than later


Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory, Australia)
The last couple of years have seen him playing as a left back which I don’t think is his true position. Although he has done well for Perth he seems more suited to a centre back role. Nikolai doesn’t seem to be coming on as a player and may need a change in environment to take the next step.

Similar to Spiranovic he may need make the transition to the second level of the Bundesliga or similar level league. He certainly does not look even close to an Australian Cap with his current form.


Trent McClenahan (Hamilton Academical, Scotland)
Did show some good things in the Olympic qualifiers but I have my doubts whether he has the composure and skills to step up to senior level.

Disappeared from view when he decided to not take up a new contract with League 2 outfit Hereford United. Signed recently with recently promoted Hamilton and has started five of the last six matches. Hamilton however are currently sitting bottom and relegation to the Scottish second division is not exactly a career booster.

Really needs a transfer to a bigger club to improve further or I suspect we may see him back here in Australia at a A-League club in the near future.


Next Episode : Midfielders and Strikers

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