While the red-hot Brisbane Roar have rightly grabbed most of the attention in recent times, mine included, quietly ticking along in the background are a couple of Coasties.
Out of sight and perhaps a little out of mind over the past month or so, both Gold Coast United and Central Coast Mariners have been away from home, United not having set foot and Skilled Park since October 17 and the Mariners on the road since October 2 while the Bluetongue turf is re-laid.
But a succession of great results on the road means they are poised just nicely, both on 21 points, sitting behind the two teams that have grabbed most of the headlines, the Roar (29) and Adelaide United (25).
What’s more, both Coasties have games in hand on the Roar, United two and the Mariners three.
Indeed, if we projected that the Mariners took maximum points from their three games in hand, they would be atop.
While neither side will feature in tonight’s double-header (Adelaide vs Perth Glory and North Queensland Fury vs the Melbourne Heart), it’s still a good time to assess what’s going right for Graham Arnold and Miron Bleiberg.
In the first of a two part series, I take an in-depth look at the Central Coast Mariners;
Graham Arnold chopped and changed his midfield diamond in the early part of the season, but in recent weeks has settled on Rostyn Griffiths in the holding midfield role, relegating the hitherto first choice John Hutchinson to a place on the bench.
The big man has done a sound job and, sitting in front of the defence, looks a vastly improved footballer on the one that tried to go box-to-box at both Adelaide and the Fury upon his return from England.
Often, keeping things simple is best, so kudos to Arnold for getting him to sit. By Griffiths holding, it has allowed Arnold’s imaginative advanced trio of midfielders to flourish.
In the past couple of games we’ve seen the impressive 17 year old Mustafa Amini playing ahead of Griffiths and it has been some start to his senior career.
Watching him in flesh 11 days ago at the SFS against Perth, it was clear how silky and sharp his touch is, and he appears to have wonderful feel for the ball and great movement to boot.
I first had the opportunity to cast an eye over him in a pre-season friendly against Sydney FC at the Sydney Showground and it’s fair to say he caught the eye that evening.
More recently, he starred for the Young Socceroos in the number 10 role at the Asian under 19’s championship, combining well with the likes of Kerem Bulut, Tommy Oar and Mathew Leckie.
Having Amini settle in so seamlessly is a nice headache for Arnold as he contemplates the return of Patricio Perez.
While Amini has grabbed the headlines in recent times, the player that has really caught the eye throughout the season, as much for his consistency as his sublime left peg, is Oliver Bozanic.
Whether tucking in, getting wide, dropping back to help or improvising on the edge of the box, it’s been his composure that has stood out. Rarely getting flustered, he invariably looks to combine with team-mates, whether deep in his own half or inside the opposition’s box.
On the other side, Michael McGlinchey appears to have found a position to suit. His effort against the Glory, taking Todd Howarth and Naum Sekulovski to the cleaners, was top shelf.
Behind him has been one of the real unsung heroes of the side, Pedj Bojic. Once again he started the season outside the first 11, but, like last season, he has grabbed his chance and not relinquished it.
Bojic’s forward thrusts, like those from Joshua Rose on the other side, have added great impetus to the Mariners attack.
Meanwhile, Alex Wilkinson and the calm Patrick Zwaanswijk join in at the set pieces, where the Mariners invariably look a threat. The latter is getting among the goals.
Both are experienced and undoubtedly play a key part in keeping young custodian Mathew Ryan settled. After a nervy start, he has done well, so one wonders if the move for Justin Pasfield was necessary.
This team is balanced and very well organised, even if Matt Simon and Daniel McBreen are a little same-same at the head of the formation.
What makes Simon and McBreen especially difficult to defend against is their incredible workrate and physicality. They rarely allow the opposition defence a moment to relax.
Defensively, they are as accountable as anyone with their high-octane pressing game.
The attitude is super, best exemplified by the way Simon and McBreen, and others, combined to encourage Amini every time he touched the ball against Perth. Terrific leadership.
The famous Mariners spirit is alive and well, and if they can keep their creative trio of midfielders on the pitch, whether Amini or Perez are head of the diamond, and continue to get ample thrust from the fullbacks, they will remain a threat.
The next two games, road trips to Wellington and Melbourne, will be tough, but they will at least fancy their chances against the Victory, who they appear to have the mental edge over.
After that it’s back to Gosford, or “Fortress Bluetongue” as Arnold wants it to become, for eight of their next 11 games.
With the news yesterday the Federal Government has honoured its election commitment to fund 25 percent of the club’s $40 million Centre of Excellence at Tuggerah, things continue to look up for the Mariners, both on an off the pitch.
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