Perennial underdogs, perennial overachievers, this season nevertheless looks like another seven months battling against a wooden spoon for the Central Coast Mariners
Tony Walmsley has made no secret that he is looking to instil a more attacking verve into his side, but whether that translates into goals for or goals against is questionable.
At least the positive play may entice Mariners fans back to Gosford Stadium, with the club desperately looking to re-strengthen ties with the community after a few years slipping.
On paper, this squad looks thin and lacking in quality. If they attack, attack, attack, teams like Melbourne Victory could be putting up cricket scores. Yet the critics have written off this tiny club so many times that it is a dangerous trap to fall into.
Strengths
It is tough to see many strengths, to be honest. Most of the promise comes from the youth, with Mitch Austin, Nick Fitzgerald, Anthony Caceres and Storm Roux all players that are looking to turn eyes this season.
The home-grown player base and a return to the community work that once made them one of the flagship franchises in the A-League is probably the club’s biggest strength. That and the underdog tag. The Mariners have time and again proved the haters wrong, they thrive on the dull expectations.
Weaknesses
A lack of goals immediately sticks out when you look at the squad. Last season the Mariners only managed 26 goals in 27 games, and the signings of Dan Heffernan and Roy O’Donovan do not bring a lot of confidence that they can improve that tally.
That said, Walmsley’s approach will give the goals for column a boost, yet whether that results in enough digits to win games depends on whether the two forwards can find form quickly.
Big question: Can the Mariners perform without imports?
Last year was a disaster for the Mariners in their quest to fill the club’s foreign quota. Malik Mane, Richard Vernes and Kim Seung-Yong did not impress, although Mane’s debut delivered false hope. This year Walmsley has chosen to avoid foreign signings, most likely due to financial constraints.
While it is enlightening to see a largely local-based flavour, imports usually prove to be key players in an A-League squad. A lot of responsibility falls to the team’s one player who lacks Anglo-Saxon blood.
Key man: Fabio Ferreira
With the Mariners’ forward options untested in the A-League, much of their creativity and attacking verve will fall on Ferreira’s shoulders. He is well known in Australia, with a tally of 16 goals and eight assists in 58 games. Not bad for a winger.
Ferreira will have to rediscover his form from 2013-14 to give Mariners fans hopes of achieving anything close to a finals spot.
Youngster to watch: Paul Izzo
Liam Reddy will likely start the season between the sticks for the Mariners, yet Paul Izzo could quickly push him out of the frame. Only 20 years old, Izzo nonetheless has ambitions for first team football, and deserves it.
A regular for the Olyroos, Izzo has served his apprenticeship at Adelaide United under the guide of Eugene Galekovic, one of the A-League’s finest. Now is the time for him to show he can handle a full-time gig.
Elsewhere, Ascroft comes back home after eight years in England, and the central defender may find significant game time this season. Fitzgerald will also have to prove his potential in the front third if the Mariners are shake off their underdog status once more.
Position last season: Eighth
In the end Central Coast easily saw off Western Sydney and the Newcastle Jets in the race to the bottom, yet they still finished 11 points from a finals position.
Prediction: Bottom
It is hard to see the Mariners making the finals this season. But they love the underdog status and have proven critics wrong previously. The lack of proven forward stocks is the deciding factor.
First five fixtures
Perth Glory (H), Brisbane Roar (A), Melbourne City (A), Sydney FC (H), Wellington Phoenix (H).
Possible line-up (4-3-3)
Austin, O’Donovan, Ferreira
Caceres, Montgomery, Fitzgerald
Rose, Poscoliero, Bosnar, Roux
Reddy
Ins
Mitch Austin (Cambridge United), Roy O’Donovan (Mitra Kukar), Paul Izzo (Adelaide United), Harry Ascroft (free agent), Daniel Heffernan (Heidelberg United).
Outs
Richard Vernes (Budapest Honved – end of loan), Zac Anderson (released), Dejan Pandurevic (released), Tom Slater (released), Hayden Morton (released), Isaka Cernak (released), Brent Griffiths (released), Matt Simon (released), John Hutchinson (retired), Travis Major (released), Zac Cairncross (released), Matt Nash (retired).
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Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
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