Clint Bolton has identified the ways the Australian team can get the better of Denmark in their next 2018 World Cup fixture.
The Socceroos were narrowly beaten 2-1 by France in their Group C opener in Kazan on Saturday in a match which was littered with controversy and hard luck for Bert van Marwijk’s side.
Ahead of Thursday’s next group match, ex-Sydney FC, Melbourne City and Aussie goalkeeper Bolton believes a more attacking approach in the mould of former manager Ange Postecoglou is the way to unlock the Danes in order to gain the points required to push towards the knockout stages in Russia.
“Hopefully we get on the ball a bit more,” the Football Nation expert said on SEN Afternoons.
“I felt like we weren’t brave enough when we had the ball for most of that game, particularly the first hour.
“The majority of this squad operated under Ange and they can produce good quality attacking football but you’ve got to release the shackles a little bit.
“Is Bert willing to release them more than what he did against France?
“You’d assume so because we’ve really got to win this one.
“But I want to see more (Tim) Cahill and I want to see (Daniel) Arzani, I want to see the game breakers.”
Asked if he expects van Marwijk to promote a more attacking formation, Bolton added: “I would suggest it would be the same eleven (as the France match).
“Bert doesn’t often change too much. He’s shown that with Australia, he’s shown that with the Netherlands.
“So I don’t expect him to change, that’s the default position.
“He might change a position or two but I just want to see more attacking play with the eleven we have and then bring on the game breakers, the guys who can break open a game.”
The Socceroos meet the Danes in Samara on Thursday night at 10pm AEST and must at least avoid defeat to be any chance of escaping from Group C.
Listen to Clint Bolton’s chat with Andy Maher in the player below: