Central Coast Mariners players (L to R) Tom Pendeljak, Matthew Simon and John Hutchinson sit dejected after loosing 0-1 to the Newcastle Jets in the A-League Grand Final in Sydney on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2008. AAP Image/Paul Miller
It’s been well documented the dramatic fall from grace for the team from Gosford, a collapse in keeping with performance of a few of the Tianjin Teda players in the last ten minutes of last night’s game.
Remarkably, the collapse has seen the Mariners ship 25 goals in 11 games, featuring two draws and nine losses, since they last tasted victory at home to Perth on the last day of 2008. Some news year’s resolution that must have been.
Prior to that run Lawrie McKinna’s men had been pressing for another premiership as the likes of Matt Simon, Adrian Caceres, Mile Jedinak, Brad Porter and Dylan Macallister illuminated the early part of A-League season four.
Then, of course, came the departure of Jedinak, arguably the best holding midfielder in the competition in season four, and undoubtedly the tempo setter for the Central Coast.
Couple that with the departure around the same time of McKinna’s assistant Ian Ferguson to North Queensland and a couple of key planks in the Mariners’ successful tale had gone.
But no-one could have forecast the demise that was to follow, both domestically and in Asia, where the Mariners have been caught short.
So, with the next domestic season a couple of months away, here’s a snap-shot of what the Mariners can do to address the demise.
The clean-out: the Mariners have started to rebuild and are scheduled to issue a press release today confirming a clean-out of the playing roster.
The word is that yesterday’s starters aren’t among the list, which means the likes of Nik Mrdja, Shane Huke, Paul O’Grady, Andre Gumprecht, Greg Owens and Nick Rizzo may be among those in danger. Interestingly, there appears to be a life-line for Andrew Clark (who doubles as fitness coach) and the injury plagued Ahmad Elrich, given they both started last night. Refreshingly, Caceres looks to be part of the plans, but more on that further on.
Find an experienced central defender/organiser: the Mariners defence was once the envy of many. It is no coincidence that they lack experience in the centre of defence, especially since Tony Vidmar’s retirement.
In Alex Wilkinson they may have what many argue is the future of Australia’s defence (frankly I’ve never seen the quality that so many others see), but he has never struck me as being a team leader in the Muscat, Moore or Ognenovski mould, and has had a very rough season.
Undoubtedly the Mariners need a leader, a personality, and the centre of defence would be just the spot for that. Someone like Chris Coyne would be a dream.
Add some ball playing ability out of the back: while on the subject of the defence, the Mariners have been far too direct of late, and must look to add a couple of players who can play out, be that from central areas, or in the fullback space. Some of the distribution out of the back has been an eye-sore this season, and the signs were there even when they were winning.
Find a replacement for Jedinak: While I had been a little critical of his inclusion in the Socceroos squads prior to last season, his ball winning and using form for the Mariners in season four, despite missing the first few games through injury, was outstanding, and there’s little doubt McKinna hasn’t found a fix.
Shane Huke may be given a little more time if he survives today’s cull, but he has hardly caught the eye in the ACL, while dependable squad-man Matt Osman leaves for Gold Coast.
McKinna mustn’t just look for a tough man who can win the ball and throw his weight about, but a classy ball user who can make the Mariners tick again.
Change the captain: Tough call, but as I intimated earlier, Wilkinson should be left to develop under the tutelage of an experienced defender. McKinna’s priorities should be some organisation and class in the centre of defence and centre of midfield, and it might even be one of those two players that nabs the captain’s armband.
Add more creativity in the front third: over the past couple of seasons the Mariners have steadily lost their style, at times resembling an A-League version of the physical Bolton.
Believe it or not, they were the best footballing team of the inaugural A-League season, and with Gumprecht the undoubted fulcrum, they captured the imagination of many of the neutrals.
Indeed, they became many a fan’s second team as they went all the way to the grand final with their mobile and high-paced short passing game. Style standards have slipped since, and gradually creative influencers like Gumprecht, Tom Pondeljak and Sasho Petrovski have been replaced by grinders.
Meanwhile Caceres has been sparingly used of late. Time to find a front third spark, be that a creator or scorer, and for that McKinna might have to head overseas.
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