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Melbourne City haven’t beaten the Central Coast Mariners since February 2012, but with a maiden finals appearance within reach, City will be full of confidence when they take on the Yellow Army in Gosford on Sunday. Join The Roar from 3.00pm (AEDT) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
Phil Moss, sacked on Friday, has paid the price for a disappointing season that has seen the team in yellow bumble their way to just three wins and the second-worst defensive record in the league.
New interim coach and current Mariners technical director, Tony Walmsley won’t have long to prepare the squad that is already out of finals contention and looking to forward to life without foundation player John Hutchinson.
A Mariners mainstay for the last 10 seasons, Hutch will retire at the end of the current season and was set to equal the record for most appearances last week. But after being left on the bench against Newcastle, Hutch will most likely finish his career with the second-most A League appearances, behind Glory ‘keeper Danny Vukovic.
For all the Mariners failings this season – Malick Mane anyone? – one positive has been the form of young central defender Jacob Poscoliero. While he may not display the same composure as former Mariner, Trent Sainsbury, Poscoliero’s dogged determination continues to be a thorn in the side of most A League sides.
However it will take more than dogged determination from Poscoliero if the Mariners are to record just their fourth win of the season.
City arrive in Gosford confident of continuing their drive towards the finals after their come from behind win against Adelaide last week.
Despite rushing French youth international, Harry Novillo into their squad, John van’t Schip is likely to name an unchanged side to face the Mariners.
Novillo, who will take David Villa’s number – he’s really not coming back guys – has joined City as an injury replacement for Damien Duff but after only one training session there is already talk he’ll extend his stay in the Victorian capital.
A pacy winger equally comfortable on either the left or right side, Novillo was once on the books of French side Lyon and will fit perfectly into van’t Schip’s 4-3-3 formation and put pressure on both David Williams and out-of-sorts Iain Ramsey for a starting berth in the coming weeks.
Last time these two sides met, Anthony Caceres was able to mastermind a 2-nil win. This time around Aaron Mooy and Erik Paartalu in City’s midfield will be ready for the ambush so the young Caceres will have to dig deeper into his bag of tricks if the Mariners are to spring an upset.
Will the confidence of beating Adelaide inspire City to record only their second win against the Mariners on Sunday or will interim coach Walmsley injection of enthusiasm be enough to get the Mariners three points?
To find out, join The Roar from 3.00pm (AEDT) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
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