“Also I think we’re looking a little bit too forward,a little bit presumptuous if you like – we’ve still got to get past the third-placed team in the other group.
“The most important thing,now,is to put all of that to one side and to focus and do everything you possibly can to get in those top two positions. Obviously it’s going to be increasingly difficult,especially after the draw with China.”
The expected returns from injury of Tom Rogic,Aaron Mooy and Adam Taggart should boost the Socceroos significantly for their next matches against Vietnam at home on January 27 and Oman away five days later. After that,they are home to Japan and away to the Saudis in the March window – the two teams currently ahead of them in Group B.
But Bosnich believes Arnold cannot solely depend on fresh personnel to change Australia’s fortunes,and said he must use the intervening period to come up with a different way of playing.
“With the limited time you have,it’s very,very difficult[to do that],but they’re going to have to do it – it’s quite simple. They need to tweak things,” he said.
“It should have been already in place that we’re going to have different ways[of approaching] defences that are really stacked or people who play a smarter way like Saudi Arabia did,but right here right now,they’re going to have to come up with something different.
“It’s quite apparent,for me,the last two games,that not only teams have worked us out,but when it comes to having a plan B or plan C,there is nothing at the moment.”
Bosnich’s criticism comes after he attacked Arnold on last week’s episode of Stan Sport FC forsaying the Socceroos had been “playing great” after drawing at home to Saudi Arabia.
“He’s going,‘we’ve got the stats to back it up’. What stats?” Bosnich said.
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“We all make mistakes ... this is where you need someone around you to say ‘listen,gaffer,boss,Graham – please don’t be saying things like this because not only will the footballing public see through it,but you’re setting all of us up[for failure],you’re putting a target on us.’ How do you say you’re playing great?
“I’m sure,if he’s watching this,he will take it personally. He will say that he won’t,but he will. But it’s not[personal]. If he was playing great,we’d be saying they’ve been playing exceptional. I’m telling him - you are not playing great.”
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