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.
jaymz
Roar Rookie
True what you said Chop but if i was the club, i would be monitoring Mckinnas results very closely in the first half of next season.
Chop
Roar Guru
Jay, Mckinna was there when we made the semi's last year, true we crashed in the second half of the season but he wasn't kicking the ball. Lack of discipline with too many yellow cards and some injuries as well as Jediniak leaving cost the Coast. Something that makes the Mariners different is the loyalty they've shown players and coaching staff, as a Mariners member that is something I admire. I don't particularly like change for changes sake. They do need to clear out some playing staff as I've suggested in an earlier post.
Koala Bear
Guest
Lawrie McKinna, sacked... Oh no, Midfielder would never allow it .... C'mon Middie we need your input on this debate... ;) If Ernie Merrick can turn it around so can Lawrie he is a far better manager than him .. The club just needs to recharged the batteries and fill the holes left by the good players that left... ~~~~~~~~ KB
jaymz
Roar Rookie
i do think mckinna needs to go, like you said choppy he is the reason the mariners HAVE been succesful. I think with the ever evolving A-league and increase in standards he is beggining to struggle. Also it could be (and i firmly believe so) that he has become a bit stale at the club, a quality coach (possibly asian) should be looked at in addition to the Defence Mid and Strikers.
jub jub
Guest
i am going on a tianjin wikipedia graffiti campaign.. who cares to join me?
jub jub
Guest
CCM problem is that they recruited poorly, refused to look at foreign talent and don't have anyone with genuine style up front in attack. I hope they clear out the **** and recruit some exciting players. I remember in Season 1 & 2 they were my favourite team to play because of their style.. then they started with this "hit a long ball and make simon run for it crap" which is boring to watch and not very effective.
whiskeymac
Guest
choppy i think some of the "potential" has been found wanting too. a defender, defensive midfielder and two attacking midfielders would be a good move. i think Simon and MAcallister will get back into the groove eventually.
Choppy
Guest
Towser, you are kidding wanting to replace Lawrie McKinna. He's one of the main reason the CC have been so successful. Nearly every other club has had 2-3 coaches so far in HAL history. They do need to clean out their playing roster. Over the last couple of years as the article indicates, the Mariners have lost a lot of quality and replaced them with potential, not quality. As Robbo said they need to invest in some quality overseas players to help bolster the clubs roster. A striker, holding midfielder, and central defender would be on top of my list.
whiskeymac
Guest
and well pointed out how the Tianjin players were behaving after defending their lead (a good goal wella aginst the run of play). simulation of such melodramatic proportions can only be described as pathetic. regardless of the result, have they no pride in how they achieve it?
lawrie's blackdog ponders
Guest
Good article Tony. It is refreshing, and I am tail waggingly glad, to see an editorial piece on the Mariners. It's interesting to see that stories on smaller teams never attract much comment - just like Jesse's recent piece on the Jets. Can I conclude that not all HAL teams are equal when it comes down to it, even in the fiercely loyal roar football crowd there are parameters as to what is deserving of media attention even in the off season. I wonder if it was SFC's or MV's failed attempts would there be 30 posts by now. Does this highlight apathy towards clubs that are outside the big cities and, if so, what chance does any club have that doesn't wear blue?
whiskeymac
Guest
every team needs refreshing and renewal - and CCM were about one season off their optimium time to do so. Which is ashame because their new strip is actually really good in my opinion. They have been frustrating in Asia, playing well and dominating large stretches of the game but without any confidence at times. Hopefully the signing of a few new names will help galvanise the team again. A strong personality in defence and midfield is essential for any successful team, and as you point out the mariners just haven't had that recently. a few mature players here and there in key positions is a good short to medium term fix but what of the youth team - not saying that they should go there because like Arsenal theyneed experience for now - do they have any kids who will impress in the near future?
Towser
Guest
How about they change the coach. Lawrie has proved limited in his vision for the Mariners. An inability to foresee what lay ahead & the limitations of his squad to compete effectively inn the ACL lie squarely on his shoulders. If CCM want to be no more than the Bolton of the A-League ,they need to start importing overseas players & get a coach with the nous to know how to use their creativity. Ones who can read a game give like Hernandez at MV to compete at the next level. Which in our case is the ACL. Newcastle saw the writing on the wall,brought in a few new players & are now within earshot of the next round. Lawrie mocked other clubs a couple of years ago for importing Brazilians. Said Aussie players could do the job. Even the egg on his face now there talking of a clean out wont hide his coaching limitations.
Robbos
Guest
They need to spend, look at Perth, they are spending. I'm not sure where they get the money from, but they need to look overseas for players both reurning Aussies and foreigners. Mckinna is very good at looking locally for state players, Simon & Jedinak are great examples but he must also get quality players from O/S to help his inexperience players, when he did he was succussful in Vidmar, Alosi. A couple of flair players from Asia, Sth America or even Africa would help.