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Have Pim Verbeek's comments about A-league players not being good enough to play against Qatar started a 14-game headache. Gee that's a lot of Panadol.
This, according to the Sydney papers, is what he said.
"If you train for three weeks with Nuremberg or with Karlsruhe, I have to be very honest; I still think that's better than playing A-League games,"
It was a view emphasised when he was quizzed on why German-based players Josh Kennedy and Michael Beauchamp had been picked, despite struggling for game time recently. The two German-based players have not played for their Bundesliga teams for several weeks due to the Christmas break.
He did redeem himself slightly by saying this about the home-based players.
"I was here for five weeks. No one can tell me, that I didn't give them the chance and the possibility. I will do that again, and if they are good enough they can show me next week and I can select them. But I'll be honest to them, if they're not good enough at the moment I will tell them also."
He has a job to do and that's to get us to the World Cup, starting off with three points against Qatar.
They are ranked 88th in the world, according to FIFA. The Socceroos are 48th. Now we and Pim all know that rankings mean nothing. Iraq was ranked 84th in the world when they won the Asian Cup last year. It's because of that we should let Pim say and do whatever it takes to win this game.
I assume he was employed because of his knowledge of Asian football as much as his success as a coach. If he thinks that we are going to need Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton or controversially select Josh Kennedy and Michael Beauchamp then so be it. If that means certain people in the A-league are left feeling wounded, then so be it.
This brings me to the point of why many of the local boys are not 'in the mix' as it were, remembering at this stage he hasn't completely counted them out.
Watch the English Premier League and then watch an A-league game straight after it. The speed at which the ball and players move at the highest level is light years ahead of our competition. It's a fact and I don't think any of us would argue.
If the Socceroos are going to beat Qatar they are going to have to retain possession under pressure in an atmosphere near that of many of the European competitions. And they will have to move that ball as quickly as they do in Europe to do so.
My guess is the Qataris will come here to get a point and that means crowding their defence. We therefore have to be smart and counter-attack at speed. It'll work a treat if we can draw them out of defence. It means letting them have the ball until the half way line for example and then ambush them, converting defence into attack as quickly as possible.
So that is what I've based my starting 11 on.
It has experience at the back with Mark Schwarzer, Craig Moore (depending on his groin), Neill and Beauchamp.
Vinnie Grella will act as a sweeper in front of the defence and start many of the raids forward with his exquisite passing.
Emerton and David Carney are the reason Qatar will have their ears pinned back. They are two players willing and able to dribble at pace to great effect out wide.
Jason Culina and Tim Cahill will take it in turns to attack the front third from the middle of midfield. They have great engines and time late runs into the box to perfection for their clubs. Cahill especially is on fire in front of goal for Everton.
You may find it a surprise that I have put A-league players in the starting line-up. Both of them are strikers. Now depending on John Aloisi's sore knee you've just got to watch him to appreciate the intelligence of the man. Play him a ball at any angle and he'll kill it dead. Defenders can only assume he has possession of the ball as they can't see it, he hides it that well.
He's not as mobile as he used to be so that's why I have the contrasting Joel Griffiths there along side him. He's the top goal scorer in Australia and his mobility and darting runs are the reason he is so. If he can get on the same wavelength as the players around him (especially the midfielders) the Qataris had better have plenty of Panadol.
I guess now you're asking why I haven't put Harry Kewell and Marco Bresciano in there. I'm buggered if I know!
I've got a headache just thinking about it so I'll try and think of a good reason for next week. I wonder if Pim will need some Panadol too after the Qataris arrived this week nine days before game day. He'll only have some of our boys 48 hours before kick off.
My starting 11 in 3-5-2 formation
Goalkeeper: Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough)
Defenders: Lucas Neill (West Ham United), Craig Moore (Queensland Roar), Michael Beauchamp (Nurnberg)
Midfielders: Vince Grella (Torino), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven), David Carney (Sheffield United), Tim Cahill (Everton)
Strikers: John Aloisi (Central Coast Mariners), Joel Griffiths (Newcastle Jets)