Here's a list of three things football fans could never have guessed at the start of 2010:

1. We'd be using a glorified beach ball for matches at the World Cup.

2. The team that was revered for inventing 'total football', The Netherlands, would try to turn the beautiful game into a brute of a game in South Africa.

3. Brett Holman would become one of the Socceroos few genuine stars.

Holman has been something of a whipping boy for frustrated Socceroos fans in recent years. Having waited patiently for the better part of a decade for Australia to produce an attacking midfielder to inherit the role from the ageing and injury-prone Harry Kewell, Holman was seen as the guy with all the show, but none of the go, to get the job done.

Fans were vociferous in their condemnation of the Bankstown Boy plying his trade for AZ Alkmaar in Holland's Eredivisie. Cruelly so on some website forums. As each game in a green and gold shirt passed, Holman produced plenty of industry but very little finished product and it seemed the ranks of the boo boys would only swell.

His first 34 appearances for the Socceroos produced just three goals. On crude numbers alone it was hard to mount a case to defend the 27-year-old against his critics.

That was until he got his chance at the World Cup.

Holman was one of a few Australians who emerged from the South African adventure with his reputation enhanced. His goal against Serbia in Nelspruit was something of a watershed, a coming of age for a player who has been searching for self belief since he made his debut against Bahrain in 2006.

Since then his stocks have continued to rise. To see him jink pass the defence in the penalty box, open up the scoring opportunity and drive the ball low and hard across the keeper and into the back of the net this morning against Poland in Krakow was proof that the faith in him was well worth the investment.

Holman has scored three times in his last five games for Australia. Just as importantly he plays with an air of confidence and assertiveness that gives stability to a team in transition.

And his journey is an important lesson for the Socceroos' hierarchy. It has taken Holman the better part of five years to develop into a player capable of standing up to the searching examination of international football.

And that is why Holger Osieck needs to hold his nerve and start investing in generation next - even if it is at the expense of immediate results, including at January's Asian Cup Campaign.

He must give Matthew Spiranovic, Dario Vidosic, Tommy Oar, Rhys Williams, James Holland and Adam Federici as much game time as he can in order to fast track their development ahead of the qualification campaign for Brazil 2014.

Holman had the luxury of Australia's "Golden Generation" as a shield for his development. Kewell, Cahill, Neill, Schwarzer and friends were busy getting results whilst Holman was finding his feet.

There will be no such cover for this next generation of Socceroos. They need to be battle hardened and ready to fight for a World Cup Finals spot quick smart.

It now becomes Brett Holman's job to show them how it's done.

Here at home, it's Perth Glory that's showing everyone how to get the job done. While the future for the Socceroos is all about the kids, it's Perth's old hands that are bobbing up with the crucial goals that give the Glory a share of top spot with a revitalised Adelaide United.

Both Mile Sterjovski and Robbie Fowler scored for Glory in their 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix.

Glory will be delighted with Fowler's output. The Liverpool legend is warming to his task in the West and, with a winless Gold Coast visiting NIB Stadium this weekend, the Perth side will fancy their chances to extend their unbeaten streak at the start of this season.

Adelaide United has produced some eye-catching stuff in recent times as well. The arrival of Sergio Van Dijk has added a real touch of class to their football. The 3-1 away win over a forlorn Sydney FC should provide the Reds with real momentum as the season kicks into top gear.

With Newcastle Jets visiting Hindmarsh Stadium this weekend searching for their first win of the season, Reds boss Rini Coolen will want to see plenty of that killer instinct that his team has made a trademark so far this season.

For Ernie Merrick's Melbourne Victory, the next week shapes up as a crucial one.

Victory has just one win in five starts and its defence has been under siege, leaking nine goals in that time. Last weekend in Gosford, Melbourne had plenty of possession but nothing to show for it.

The loss of Archie Thompson up front is every bit as debilitating as Victory fans feared it might be.

With Brisbane Roar visiting AAMI Park on Sunday and Wellington Phoenix making the trip for a midweek fixture next Wednesday, suddenly there is no margin for error for Victory if it wants to make meaningful tilt at the title.