Nathan Burns - A Phoenix again

Butr has played MLS so give it some credit.

I did. Gulp

I'd love that. 

If only for news' reaction. 

You would have heard the explosion from Brazil.

"Burns will tear you apart, again"

Ring of fire chant = gold

Joy division, love the track, but not sure it would catch on

Works so well for Giggs as the band were from Manchester, not sure it translates well to other teams/players

Worked pretty well for Graeme Swann

So, if Burns gets selected for the Roos' Asian Cup squad, which is a possibility on his current form, would he be the first Nix player to get a Roos call-up while playing for the Phoenix? Trying to think of any others - did McKain play for Australia while with us?

Durante and Mckain got call ups. Didn't take the pitch though. 

Jade North did IIRC

Forgot about that. 

May have even been for the Asian cup?

Just some friendlies I think.

Remember laughing because a) he was average for us, and b) he was behind Dura and Sigmund at the Phoenix.

One of the most overrated defenders in the league.

He was pretty good for the Roar, but looks average again this season .

Forgot he was back in the A-League, to be honest. I do remember him being our worst CB at that time but inexplicably being good enough for the Socceroos while Dura, in the form of his life, sat on the bench.

If he does, it was a great career move and aren't we glad we've got him for two seasons.

I wonder how much of a punt it was to sign him considering Newcastle didn't want him over medical concerns. Could have have been the next Pantelis?

Any good player in a good form with no history of problems can pick up an unexpected, debilitating injury and his career will never be the same. Harry Kewell is an example. Injured (groin?) too early to retire but it sure made him half the player he used to be.

So far so good - named in the 46 man preliminary squad for the Asian Cup. 

http://www.socceroos.com.au/article/socceroos-provisional-46-man-squad-for-asian-cup-named/t08s7beoebmo1nufswftfxajk?utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Socceroos_Insider_Squad_Annoucement_8122014&utm_term=3100

Do we really want a soceroo in our squad? We're buggered enough in international windows as it is.

Selfish of me to say no?

They go into camp on Dec 27th. So would miss three games: WSW, ADL and BRI.

Will he be picked, realistically?

You'd think he'd have an outside chance with the form he's in and top scorer in the A League etc, but it has to be cut in half to 23.

I hope he does not make it (selfish) but I don't really think he will anyway.

Good guy to have come off the bench I think.

Good lord that's a large squad. Not to diminish the achievement or anything, good on him and good luck to him, but 46 players?!

Seems excessive. For World Cups and things it would usually be 30 cut down to 23 wouldn't it?

Yep.

That's what I thought. Apparently AFC relations say up to 50 in the interim squad.

I like that he is in the provisional squad. The carrot is still dangling in front of him.

More goals on the weekend could help his case. 

Isn't the Asian Cup outside of international windows? So Euro-based Aussies might not be available? You'd think Burns would be in with a pretty good chance then

Don't know the answer but I doubt that Ange would have picked so many overseas players if that was the case.

Pretty sure most euro players will be going; much like the African Nations Cup.

I'd say Burns would be probably on the fringes of that 23 man squad. Looking at the list, there are definitely some other strikers/wide forwards whom Burns has arguably been playing better than, e.g. Bernie Ibini, Daniel de Silva, Tomi Juric, Nikita Rukavytsya. Then there's Josh Kennedy and Adam Taggart who might be better players than Burnsy but are coming off serious injuries (Taggart is still rehabbing from groin surgery). 

Definitely some above him in the pecking order though: Cahill, Kruse, Leckie, Troisi probably  Vidosic. But he'll have a shot if he carries on his form this month.

Probably gets in as he gives Ange flexibility as a true wing option as well.  Jets used him in a deep wing position which no doubt helped Taggart big time.

I'd be surprised if he wasn't picked.

Considering the way Ange likes to play, I'd think Burns would be an ideal fit for him. Certainly deserves a spot considering his current form for a team regarded by many as middling at best.