Lessons from Mariners and Victory's draw

Central Coast hosted the Melbourne Victory at Gosford on Saturday night in front of a solid crowd of over 10,000. It what was, for most part, a game without much life; both teams failed to find the back of the net in a 0-0 draw.

Here is what I learned:

Melbourne Victory

1. Same formation, different players

There were five changes (all forced) to the Melbourne Victory team that drew with the Roar last week. Covic, Foschini, Ferreira, Hernandez and Kewell all missed through suspension and international duties. Matt Kemp returned to the team in a back four with Leijer, Vargas and Fabio. Broxham was in the holding midfield role, and Pondlejak and Celeski were on the wings. Rojas began in behind Allsopp and Thompson. I had a few issues with this team… do read on.

2. Why didn’t Jean-Carlos Solorzano start? (again)

The goal predator returned to the squad this week on the bench. Again, I can’t understand why he didn’t start. Yes, Danny Allsopp is a hard worker and teams up well with Archie. But, simply put, Solorzano offers more. He is faster, versatile and better with the ball at his feet and in the box. Mehm has said he wants to play a short passing game, but doesn’t Solorzano offer more to that game style? It is confusing to as what Mehm wants to do there.

3. Billy Celeski and Tommy Pondlejak aren’t fast enough to play on the flanks

It was a very retro looking Victory team, the old guard got together for a run. Billy Celeski and Tommy Pondlejak returned to starting positions on the flanks, and I don’t think they were best suited there. Tommy doesn’t have the pace to do it and neither does Billy, who looked out of position all night. When Victory tried to counter quickly on the break, there was no-one fast enough to help make that happen, contributing to Victory’s lack of chances.

4. Marco Rojas is a winger

The young Kiwi filled that space in the hole behind the strikers in place of Carlos Hernandez, but didn’t have that great an effect. He is better served to the Victory running at defences on a wing rather than acting as the main playmaker. He rotated with Archie Thompson in the striker and playmaker spot. He has a very bright future ahead, and its important he plays in his best spot, which, right now, is the wing.

5. Defence is solid

The back four didn’t give much away all night. This season, the defence is possibly the strongest area for the Victory. Roddy Vargas has been in good form, so has the captain Adrian Leijer. Fabio has had a few nervy moments and mistakes, but he gets forward well and plays his heart out for his team. Let it continue. I think continuity contributes to it, Victory has field the same back four all season (except on Saturday, and it was forced change), and I think it is what the attack is lacking.

Central Coast Mariners

1. Solid, if unspectacular

They are an interesting team, the Mariners. There isn’t too much flashy about them, that was the case against the Victory too. But they are a very hard working that gel together on their day. This season, they have been missing something in their front third, a creative force to link up with the strikers… a certain red-headed playmaker.

2. Mustafa Amini is so important

The blue and yellow have been missing something in midfield, and much of that has to do with Mustafa Amini’s delayed start to the season. All season, that final touch/pass has lacked for the Mariners and to me it just underlines how important Amini is. The Mariners attack, Matt Simon in particular, thrive off him. He is slowly getting to a start.

3. Bernie Ibini-Isei will be a jet of a player

The young striker has been given oppurtunities by Graham Arnold this season. He looks a real player for the future and on Saturday, he looked most likely to score for the Mariners. He is strong, quick, but is still raw and inexperienced. We are going to know a lot more about him as the season goes on. ‘Arnie’ should continue to play Ibini, for the experience that he needs and even then, he warrants selection on current form. This will help both the Mariners and Ibini in the long run.

4. Striker selection issues

The strikers at Arnold’s disposal are Simon, Ibini, McBreen and Kwasnik. The reality is two of those players will miss out in the Arnold narrow diamond system. For me, McBreen and Kwasnik sit out for now. Simon and Ibini should be the pairing up front, with Amini behind. Right now, they offer more up-front and are the best option.

5. They will be up there again

This is more a broader point. The Mariners have been slow off the mark to start the season, but I think they can be challenging up top again. They will have a settled line-up, with Amini to start soon. Wilkinson and Zwaanswijk are rocks in defence with Bojic and Rose charging down the flanks, which they did well against Victory. McGlinchey and Bozanic are solid attacking wingers, so I can’t see too much changing.

Their form will come good as they are starting to gather important points early on, and I can’t see why they can’t challenge this season.