Six things to change before June

Troubles ... Holger Osieck and Mark Schwarzer dissecting the problems. Source: Craig Greenhill / News Limited

O-man. Not as bad it could have been, but much worse than what we were hoping for.

Opinion from fans when into overdrive after the 2-2 draw with Oman.

Fair enough, but it’s a new day, so new thought – a forward thought.

There is no quick fix, because there isn’t a need for one – the next game is not until June 4 when we take on, gulp, Japan in Japan.

There is no point in getting all fired up about who should be in there and who shouldn’t, because there is too much time between now and when something can be done about it.

We just need a few things to sort out, or go our way in that time. For instance, these six: 

GET WELL SOON BRESH

In all probability, Mark Bresciano won’t play again until June. The Qatar Stars League finishes next month, so Bresh will be fresh.

His spell on the pitch, before being crudely curtailed, happened to be the Socceroos' best period of the match.

Coincidence?

TOMMY BHOY 

Celtic are about to wrap up the Scottish Premier League.

Once that happens, hopefully Tommy Rogic gets a bit more game time under Neil Lennon, who has use him sparingly since his fantastic debut against Iverness on February 9.

If he can manage that, he can force his way into calculations to be a creative option aside from Mark Bresciano in the centre of midfield – something desperately missing in the first half against Oman.

That is, if Holger hasn’t sworn himself off young players, of course.

ASIA OR BUST, CAPTAIN

Lucas Neill was missed on Tuesday night, and he will come back from the Japan game. But one thing that cannot happen is for him to not play another game after this A League season – which may end for Sydney FC in Brisbane.

Out of contract, he can hopefully move to an Asian club for a stint to keep him sharp and in shape - given the thirst for Australian defenders in China and Korea, surely it shouldn’t be too hard?

A-LEAGUE OF THEIR LOAN?

Come to think of it, Osieck is relying more and more on A-League players for his squad, so what do the likes of Mark Milligan, Archie Thompson, Michael Thwaite etc do once the season ends anytime in April?

Is a month off before the Japan game a good thing, or a hindrance? There is no one answer, it’s a case by case scenario.

But there will be no warm-up game before Japan – Holger seems to have an allergy to them after the Jordan debacle (which was preceded by a 3-0 win over Lebanon). So it looms as a risk for those players who want to put their feet up.

Group B		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Japan	6	4	1	1	10	13
2	Jordan	6	2	1	3	-6	7
3	Australia	5	1	3	1	0	6
4	Oman	6	1	3	2	-3	6
5	Iraq	5	1	2	2	-1	5

STAY WARM

Always a worry with our players - especially in this era - is whether or not they are getting the game time at club level.

The ever-dependable Luke Wilkshire has all of a sudden dropped out of favour with manager Dan Petrescu at Dinamo Moscow.

Brett Holman, try as he might, in the first-half looked every bit the player who had only had 33 minutes of first team action since late January.

Even Robbie Cornthwaite hasn’t started at Chunnam Dragons this season – and in fact hadn’t played in a fortnight before Tuesday night, after coming off the bench and getting a red card for Chunnam.

They need a run of games. Every player does. No-one can go in cold against Japan or they’ll make sashimi of us.

TIMMY STAY TERRIFIC

He doesn’t need to change anything. Just stay on the park.

After once more reminding us how important he is to this side, Cahill goes back to New York to get into the MLS season proper.

By the time June rolls around, he’d have played 12 more games for the Red Bulls, touch wood. Actually, touch forest. He just has to remain fit.

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