Regarding Harry

[ComeBackDukes!]

Given that Harry Kewell is still waiting for an all-clear to play after almost six months on the sidelines (apart from a measly two minute stint for Galatasaray some weeks back), it appears that he is little or no chance of getting through three intense group matches at the World Cup, especially given there's only a five-day break between each match. He will most likely be rested against Denmark and then play a fair chunk of the USA game so he can get some match fitness before the WC starts.

He was unconditioned going into 06 and could only manage to play the first and third games, missing the Brazil match in between, as well as the knockout match against Italy. In the group stage that worked out well, as he got to play in the two games they had a good chance in and missed out on the game they were likely to lose anyway. This time around however, the schedule is not so kind.

Their biggest chance for a win is obviously against Ghana and that match is sandwiched in between the Germany and Serbia games. So, how does everyone think Pim should use Harry?

I think perhaps bring him on as a sub against Germany, play him for the whole game against Ghana and then hope he's right to play some part against Serbia.

[TOPGUNJIMMYAUFC]

should just retire.....

[rooboy1986]

should just retire.....

Does he play for the crows?

[Red-4-Life]

Kewell's one of our best players but his because of his injuries i feelwe wont see the best out of him in South Africa

[Loppermann]

he played against Brazil, he was the one sticking it to the ref after the game

[Chade]

He was unconditioned going into 06 and could only manage to play the first and third games, missing the Brazil match in between, as well as the knockout match against Italy. In the group stage that worked out well, as he got to play in the two games they had a good chance in and missed out on the game they were likely to lose anyway. This time around however, the schedule is not so kind.

Their biggest chance for a win is obviously against Ghana and that match is sandwiched in between the Germany and Serbia games. So, how does everyone think Pim should use Harry?

I think perhaps bring him on as a sub against Germany, play him for the whole game against Ghana and then hope he's right to play some part against Serbia.

Given that your facts are wrong, try again. He played all three group games, and missed the game against Italy due to gout/whatever they worked it out to be in the end.

I still think if we had Kewell against Italy, we would've gone through (given the same situation).

[ComeBackDukes!]

My bad.......I forgot he came off the bench against Brazil for 30 minutes. But he still wasn't up to starting all three group games, and I doubt he will this time around either. I think he has to play 90 minutes against Ghana, which means maybe not starting him against Germany.

[DOC]

he and schwarzer completed the first training session fully

[Ozgoalz]

I think its seriously risky to leave out McDonald and rely on Kewell as a striker. Not so much taking anything away from Kewell or any of the other strikers. I dont feel it necessary to bag the other strikers like Holman in the process of saying McDonald should be on the plane. In a lot of the forums people seem polarized and tend to attack one player in order to support another. My overall feeling after the NZ game was Scott should still go to S.A.-as Kewell wont really be 100 percent and just like the last world cup could miss crucial games. We need to be able to send on other strikers to chase games(especially ones not injured) Well its all said and done now, guess there is no point in going on about it-its just sad to see such a wasted opportunity that was served up on a silver platter. Moore should be cut-not McDonald. Kewell is a great player and thanks to him we progressed through our group last World Cup-what a great memory that is! It will take me a bit longer to get over the Scotty snub, but im looking forward to the friendly with Denmark! World Cup here we come

[ComeBackDukes!]

he and schwarzer completed the first training session fully

Well, he would want to be able to complete a training session where all they do is jog around for an hour or so.

Kewell and Emerton both sat out the first proprer training session last night our time.

[ComeBackDukes!]

I think its seriously risky to leave out McDonald and rely on Kewell as a striker. Not so much taking anything away from Kewell or any of the other strikers. I dont feel it necessary to bag the other strikers like Holman in the process of saying McDonald should be on the plane. In a lot of the forums people seem polarized and tend to attack one player in order to support another. My overall feeling after the NZ game was Scott should still go to S.A.-as Kewell wont really be 100 percent and just like the last world cup could miss crucial games. We need to be able to send on other strikers to chase games(especially ones not injured) Well its all said and done now, guess there is no point in going on about it-its just sad to see such a wasted opportunity that was served up on a silver platter. Moore should be cut-not McDonald. Kewell is a great player and thanks to him we progressed through our group last World Cup-what a great memory that is! It will take me a bit longer to get over the Scotty snub, but im looking forward to the friendly with Denmark! World Cup here we come

I agree totally, McDonald had to go, especially given Kewell's injury concerns. He would have been a shoe-in in my 23 even if Kewell had been playing the past six months. The argument about McDonald not being suited to this system may be relevant if you are comparing systems in order to determine which suits him more as a player, but the point is that he is still better under this system in that lone-striker role than Kennedy, Rukavytsya and Vidosic, whether it suits him best or not and whether he is scoring goals or not. But in saying that, Pim deserves the benefit of the doubt until the group stage is over. If they progress, or at least give it a good shake, then people can't be too critical of him when it's all said and done.

[OwnGoal]

I can't see Kewell really playing that much, injury is just going to keep him on the sidelines. Maybe one game and then thats it.

[ozzie owl]

I can't see Kewell really playing that much, injury is just going to keep him on the sidelines. Maybe one game and then thats it.

I am really worried about Harry, plus our shortage of strikers in our squad.

[Bresciano]

Showed him limping after training - didn't look good

[BADA BING]

time is running out for him, can an injured player in the final squad of 23 get replaced?

[Jock]

Is there an Australian player who is not injured?

[ozzie owl]

Is there an Australian player who is not injured?

Lots of countries have injury issues just look at the English,Spanish and German squads. Problem is we don't have the depth of the major football powers.

[Ozgoalz]

We looked to be playing better against Denmark than we did against New Zealand, so i take heart in that. It will all come down to how they play on the day, we don't have much else to go on. McDonald looked amazing with Celtic, yet couldnt reproduce the goals for the green and gold, which is a real shame as i was looking forward to having him in our arsenal this World Cup. Kennedy seems to be a good scorer in the J League so he can't be counted out, and Kewell has produced magic in Turkey (before the dreaded staple debacle). And Cahill, what a legend. I'm sick of the bagging and negativity that came after the NZ game. Lets get right behind the team now, i reckon we have a real good chance of progressing out of our group, in which case if England make it, it will be EPIC, like a final before the final. Lets hope that happens, it will go off!!! World Cup party time!!

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