Might Be Time for Pim to Flip for Coyne

LITTLE known defender Chris Coyne could be the answer to Australia’s defensive woes.
The experienced Colchester United central defender could be included in the starting line-up to face Iraq on Saturday.

And his inclusion may force a re-shape of the team that means the squad plays more to its strengths.

The inclusion of Coyne alongside Beauchamp and North would give more liberty to Carney and Emerton as wing backs to get forward and provide extra width to the Socceroos play.

Neither Emerton or Carney are solid defenders, and reducing their need to play a purely defensive game will see their slick passing come to the fore, and generate overlap with some of the attacking midfielders.

Luke Wilkshire would be the obvious omission from the starting line-up if Verbeek went ahead with the change, but one of Culina, Bresciano or Grella would also have to start on the bench.

And while all three players have been vital cogs to the team, as Hiddink showed at the World Cup, having strength from the bench could be valuable especially in the heat of Dubai.

The 3-5-2 that would be the obvious formation with the shuffle would also give room for the inclusion of either Bruce Djite or the return of Josh Kennedy up front.

This would help remove pressure from McDonald to be a target man, and put Kewell back to his preferred spot as the free-wheeling creative midfielder.
But that is of course only if Verbeek sticks to his assertion that he is going after all three points.