Roo Radar: Mathew Leckie praise in Germany, Robbie Kruse scores, Mile Jedinak groin concerns
WITH the next Socceroos squad about to be announced, there are a couple giving Ange Postecoglou serious food for thought. One other is providing a big headache.
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THE Socceroos’ squad to travel to Malaysia to face Syria will be announced imminently, and while it’s unlikely Ange Postecoglou will divert from his current formation, two of his staple stars are building a case to return as focal points in attack.
Rewind to before the change in formation and Mathew Leckie and Robbie Kruse were no strangers to the attacking third in Socceroos matches, but in recent times, Leckie has been deployed at wingback, with Kruse vying with the likes of Tom Rogic, James Troisi and co for a role complementing the side’s No.9. In Tokyo, he led the line in Tomi Juric and Tim Cahill’s absence.
But both players are coming into camp in compelling form in Germany in the wide, attacking areas that they established their reputation.
BEST SOCCEROOS: The Roos star with world top 10 FIFA 18 score
In the Bundesliga, Leckie is making great strides for Hertha Berlin on the right of a 4-2-3-1.
In the 2.Bundesliga, Kruse is doing something he hasn’t done for a number of seasons: he’s playing regularly, and scoring, with a weekend strike the end product of a trademark burst in behind, with the composure in front of goal to go with it.
It was in vain, however, with Heidenheim going on to win with a 73rd minute winner, as Bochum now sit 12 in the 18-team 2.Bundesliga after six outings.
In an article in Deutsche Welle , Germany’s public international broadcaster, Leckie was described as Australia’s “next superstar” in a season he has “stepped out of the shadows”.
“Hertha Berlin have quickly grown reliant on a player so little was expected of before the new campaign,” wrote James Thorogood in the article, penned ahead of Hertha’s 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim.
Leckie has already become endearing in the German capital, and after scoring against Werder Bremen, his club’s sporting director was full of praise.
When you need a goal, why not bring on the man who's scored your last three.... Mathew #Leckie is on 💪 (75') #BSCATH #hahohe 0-0 pic.twitter.com/MofebSFArt
— Hertha Berlin (@HerthaBSC_EN) September 14, 2017
.@HerthaBSC_EN need Mathew #Leckie to carry his #Bundesliga form into Europe! #BSCATH https://t.co/fhuEZNEpDX
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) September 14, 2017
“Mathew has silenced all the critics that had written him off,” Michael Preetz told BILD.
Indeed, the article’s author even had a message for Socceroos fans largely focused on the achievements of the country’s Premier League stars.
“With the World Cup in Russia looming, Hertha’s gamble looks to have been an astute one that has bred a win-win situation for both Leckie and the club.
“On his current trajectory, Leckie is on course to become Australia’s marquee player for years to come. Now he just needs more fans back home to take notice.”
One man behind the pair in the pecking order is Sparta winger Craig Goodwin.
Having recovered from shin splint problems, the forgotten candidate hopes the fact he’s playing left wingback in the Dutch Eredivisie will work in his favour for the Syria play-off.
“I am playing that formation consistently with Sparta so it would make it an easier transition coming into the Socceroos,” he told FourFourTwo.
‘BIT OF A CONCERN’
Mile Jedinak was not in Aston Villa’s squad for their 3-0 win at Barnsley, and before the game, his boss Steve Bruce revealed the midfielder’s fitness was a concern after he came off at half-time of a mid-week clash with Middlesbrough.
“Mile’s a bit sore which is a bit of a concern if I’m being honest,” said Bruce.
“His groin was a bit sore and that’s why we took him off.”
Elsewhere in the Championship, there were starts and wins for Bailey Wright and James Meredith at Bristol and Millwall, a loss for Massimo Luongo’s QPR, while Jackson Irvine had to watch from the bench as Hull drew 1-1 with Sunderland.
WRAP
Tom Rogic wasn’t used from the start against PSG in the Champions League, but he took just 13 minutes to score on his return to league duties with another top finish in Celtic’s 4-0 win over Ross County.
James Forrest then benefited from a parried Rogic strike, when he added the third.
13' - The Wizard of 🇦🇺 strikes again! @Tom_Rogic gives #CelticFC the lead!
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) September 16, 2017
[1-0] #SPFL pic.twitter.com/uPveh8eIyQ
The Scottish press is becoming fond of the Wizard of Oz, but a tabloid headline on Sunday not only emphasises Rogic’s appeal, but highlights the magnitude of Aaron Mooy’s growth in recent years.
After the Huddersfield star was awarded the PFA’s Male Footballer of the Year gong, The Scottish Sun ran a headline describing Mooy as a “former SPFL reject”.
He’s not doing too badly at all, for a reject...
Tom Rogic pipped to Australia Player of the Year by former SPFL reject https://t.co/uuGVCHtPEF pic.twitter.com/u4FlXfvpTG
— Scottish Sun Sport (@scotsunsport) September 17, 2017
MORE MOOY REACTION: ‘Made for PL’: Stunning Mooy praise after ‘MOTM’ role
After learning of the accolade, his club boss added to the praise.
“Aaron Mooy adapted to Premier League football straight away and he has put his stamp on Huddersfield Town,” Wagner said on Monday.
“We are very happy that Aaron Mooy is our player and I’m delighted he won the Australian footballer of the year.”
Huddersfield drew 1-1 with Leicester, while Mat Ryan’s Brighton and Hove Albion suffered a set-back against Bournemouth.
Before the clash, local paper The Argus said of the Socceroos custodian has “put behind him criticism of his early performances” and that he has “shrugged off a shaky start to his Albion career”.
Originally published as Roo Radar: Mathew Leckie praise in Germany, Robbie Kruse scores, Mile Jedinak groin concerns
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