Thoughts on the Socceroos squad

Socceroos Coach Graham Arnold has chosen a squad good enough to win the Asia Cup, and possibly save his job!

Brad Jones, Michael Thwaite, Paddy Kisnorbo, Carl Valeri, Nick Carle, Brett Holman, and David Carney have all forced themselves into the squad since last year's world cup.

Great news for the A-League. Carney, Carle, Milligan and Thompson have all made the squad which is great for the profile of the game in Australia and it shows you can make the Socceroo squad by staying in Australia.

Great news for us at Football in the Capital. Not only will I be reporting from Bangkok on all the Aussies games, but even better we'll have Carl Valeri talking Asia Cup from the Socceroos camp.

The squad is interesting. No Scott Chipperfield or Josip Skoko. They possibly have played their last games for Australia.

We are short of defenders. Brett Emerton maybe asked to move from his usual midfield position to play right back as he did against Uruguay on Saturday night. His mobility and energy to get forward from full-back is a great asset to any team.

Left side of the defence we are weak. Their is no obvious left back who attacks. Milligan maybe given the role, or with Kewell and Bresciano's attacking flair maybe its a minor concern.

Given the heat expected in Bangkok, the number of midfielders chosen is good. Surely in the group stage it should be less intense than the World Cup, so using more players is possible.

For the future their is hope, We have a good number of players coming through including some who have missed out.

Left-sided defenders are sparse, and if Viduka and John Aloisi retire we will quickly move back the pack in terms of Asia sides forward lines.

Josh Kennedy's height will be missed, but Brett Holman could shine playing off Mark Viduka.

The players selected in the 23-man squad are: Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer, Brad Jones, Michael PetkovicDefenders: Lucas Neill, Brett Emerton, Michael Beauchamp, Michael Thwaite, Mark Milligan, Patrick Kisnorbo Midfielders: Mark Bresciano, Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Vince Grella, Mile Sterjovski, Luke Wilkshire, Jason Culina, Carl Valeri, Nick Carle, David CarneyForwards: Mark Viduka, John Aloisi, Archie Thompson, Brett Holman.