SOCCEROOS VIEW TOWN ACE AS CRUCIAL TO WORLD CUP BID
FRANKIE BUNN wants his Huddersfield Town development team to learn the lessons of four successive defeats as they prepare for today’s trip to Birmingham City (1.00).
Town lost out to a hat trick by Leeds United’s Swedish striker Marcus Antonsson at the John Smith’s Stadium last Monday.
The 3-2 defeat (Dominic Tear and Lewis O’Brien scored for the home side) followed losses to Crewe Alexandra, Liverpool (in the Under 23 Premier League Cup) and Sheffield Wednesday.
Frankie Bunn’s charges won the Professional Development League last season, when it was an Under 21 competition.
They are third in the current standings, a place and a point above Birmingham.
And Bunn insists they aren’t too far off a three-point haul.
“As the title suggests, this league is about development,” he said.
“Winning isn’t the be-all and end-all, but it’s still important.
“It’s also important that when they are producing decent performances, players figure out a way to translate that into victories.”
Having gone behind early on against Leeds, Town took a 2-1 lead by the break.
“Apart from the first 15 minutes and the last 10, I felt we were excellent,” added former Luton Town, Hull City and Oldham Athletic striker Bunn, who has previously coached at Wigan Athletic, Manchester City, Coventry City and Rochdale.
“Leeds had an experienced side out, and perhaps we were a little bit in awe of them to start with.
“But we got to grips with the game, moved the ball well and created some good chances, although we do need to take more of them.
“It was a disappointing defeat, but we’ll learn from it and move on.”
Bunn, 54, joined Town in 2012, initially as Under 18 coach before moving up the age levels in 2014. HUDDERSFIELD TOWN take note.
In their review of 2016, the Socceroos – Australia’s national football team – have picked out John Smith’s favourite Aaron Mooy for special mention.
He is cited as a developing big influence in their World Cup campaign, alongside Celtic’s Tom Rogic.
Manchester City loan ace Mooy made a brilliant start to the season, and those fans concerned his form has slipped a little recently will be relieved to know Australia don’t play again until Thursday, March 27, against Iraq.
Mooy has helped the Socceroos to remain unbeaten in five qualification games, and they are third in Group B with all to play for on the ‘Road to Russia.’
They are equal on nine points with UAE and a point behind Japan and Saudi Arabia.
But, crucially, Mooy and his mates have three home games to come next year.
The Insider website on the national team reports: “From a player perspective, the ascension of Milos Degenek (1860 Munich), Alex Gersbach (Rosenborg), Apo Giannou (Guangzhou) and Jamie Maclaren (Brisbane Roar) augers well for the future – all made their national team debuts in 2016.
“And the continuing development of Tom Rogic (Celtic) and Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town) gives Australia cause for optimism in the attacking third, while Mark Milligan (Baniyas SC) confirmed his crucial importance to the team.”
After the match against Iraq, Australia are at home to the UAE on Tuesday, March 28.
That is their final fixture of this current English season so Mooy won’t have to undertake any more long-distance flights.
Continuing their review, the Socceroos website says: “The year began in Adelaide with a 7-0 thumping of Tajikistan, and ended in Bangkok with a 2-2 draw against the Thais.
“In total, Australia scored 23 times and conceded 10.
“The Caltex Socceroos won five games, lost two and drew three. Seven of these ten games were World Cup qualifiers, the other three friendlies.
“Australia were unbeaten in all World Cup qualifiers. And skipper