Yeah I was a bit disappointed Lewis didn't get more mins, he's started the ALM in good form. But he's not really a like for like with Bell. If Lewis was there you'd have to have Stamenic go deeper to get the ball off the CBs.
A few months back I thought Bell was still okay (remember a lovely assist against China for Garbett's goal at the ROF) and Brondby was just a blip in his career. But now less optimistic. His return to Norway has coincided with Viking's form dropping away, and he's even been benched for 21 yr old Patrick Yazbek (called up to wider Socceroos recently) a few times there now. He's the heir apparent AWs captain, and when in form crucial to how the team build up possession.
Hopefully he can fix things in 2024. But is going to be interesting watching Dibley-Dias next year, who will presumably be going to the Paris Olympics with Oly Whites.
And agree Boxall & Bindon, could soon become the first choice AWs CB pairing. Hopefully evergreen Boxy can go 2 more years to 2026. Still got some pace which is encouraging. He really was bombing forward impressingly in Dublin. He might do that less against a more dangerous team on the counter than the Irish.
A few months back I thought Bell was still okay (remember a lovely assist against China for Garbett's goal at the ROF) and Brondby was just a blip in his career. But now less optimistic. His return to Norway has coincided with Viking's form dropping away, and he's even been benched for 21 yr old Patrick Yazbek (called up to wider Socceroos recently) a few times there now. He's the heir apparent AWs captain, and when in form crucial to how the team build up possession.
Hopefully he can fix things in 2024. But is going to be interesting watching Dibley-Dias next year, who will presumably be going to the Paris Olympics with Oly Whites.
And agree Boxall & Bindon, could soon become the first choice AWs CB pairing. Hopefully evergreen Boxy can go 2 more years to 2026. Still got some pace which is encouraging. He really was bombing forward impressingly in Dublin. He might do that less against a more dangerous team on the counter than the Irish.