Socceroos need Archie Thompson: Merrick

Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick has urged Socceroos boss Pim Verbeek to recall
in-form striker Archie Thompson to the international stage.
Thompson was again overlooked for a spot on Australia's seven-man bench in Wednesday
night's World Cup qualifier against Qatar despite the 29-year old striker scoring
three goals in five matches for the Victory.
Following the belting of Qatar, Verbeek again questioned the ability of A-League
players to step up and play at the national level with Queensland Roar skipper Craig
Moore the only Australia-based player picked in the team.
But Merrick is confident Thompson has made enough improvement on the deficiencies in
his game to force his way into the Socceroos.
"We're getting mixed messages - Mark Bosnich is so impressed with the quality of the
A-League and Pim doesn't appear to be impressed at the moment," Merrick said.
"I think Archie Thompson could certainly do a good job in the national team for the
Socceroos.
"The areas I think he was flat on - his work rate, his willingness to get to
midfield and then get forward again - he's just doing so well.
"He's scoring goals from the midfield, he can play forward or as an attacking
midfielder - he's been outstanding for us and is having a great year and I think
it's just a matter of time before he forces himself in the starting line-up."
Privately, the Victory believe Thompson is a better attacking option than Brett
Holman from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar and Mile Sterjovski from English Premier League
side Derby County.
Both Holman and Sterjovski went on as substitutes on Wednesday night.
Thompson may have a better chance of inclusion in the side to face Bahrain in Manama
on November 19 as the match in not scheduled on a FIFA date and some stars may find
it difficult to get leave from their European clubs.