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.
Billy..
Guest
Im a city fan. Been reading your comments for a while Stevo, and i think your on the money with this one.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Hard to find the words really. Season on the line and then this. We've had players change but end product the same. JVS common factor in all of this. Hmmmmm
billyelliott
Roar Guru
That's it from Gosford. Jarred Gillet, along with most of us, has seen enough. Mariners win it after a scorching goal from Ferreira. City far too inconsistent and the Mariners are able to record just their fourth win of the season and keep extend their unbeaten streak against City. Head over to http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/03/08/brisbane-roar-vs-western-sydney-wanderers-a-league-live-scores-blog-4/ for the next game in this A League double header.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+3' Big chance for City. But Iain Ramsey hits it directly into Liam Reddy. Massive moment and Reddy up to it. CCM 1 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+2' Bosnar gives it an up and under from deep inside his own half, which puts Velaphi under pressure - all the City 'keeper can do is tip it over the bar. Corner for Mariners. CCM 1 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+1' FOur minutes of added time. Mariners play a short corner and are smothered by City defenders who win a throw-in. Mariners easily win it back but Trifiro's cross is claimed by Velaphi. CCM 1 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90' Jaliens comes in from behind and concedes a foul. That's just about all she wrote for City. CCM 1 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
85' It's Chapman's last involvement as JVS concedes defeat by bringing on Iain Ramsey. Mariners are making a triple change. Roux, Major and Trifiro to come on for Caceres, Ferreira and Cernak. CCM 1 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
84' Corner for City. Mooy goes near post, it breaks for Novillo. Ball finds it's way to Chapman who I think was trying to shoot but he gets it all wrong, so very wrong. CCM 1 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
83' Free kick won by Novillo, this guy looks like a real showman. Mooy with another chance to deliver a good ball into the area. It's a nice ball but it's to no-one and Mariners clear. CCM 1 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
81' Bosnar stops Koren in his tracks and looks to play in Cernak but Kisnorbo is there to cover. Kisnorbo has been good for City today. CCM 1 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
78' Mooy delivers a free kick into the box, Reddy claims it but he's bumped by Kisnorbo and spills it ... chance ... no, Gillet correctly stops play for a free kick for the challenge on Reddy. CCM 1 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
77' Far too much on that cross from Hoffman and a chance goes begging for City. They have their work cut out for them now. CCM 1 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
76' City look to restore parity immediately but Novillo's cross is cleared by Josh Rose. City are too one-dimensional. Trying to swing balls in to the head of Kennedy. CCM 1 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
73' Chapman dives in and catches the slightest of touches on Cernak. He earns a yellow card for the tackle and the Mariners have a free kick right on the edge of the 18 yard box. Few Mariners players standing over it.... shaving cream has been sprayed and it is Ferreira who scores for the Mariners. Incredible strike that left Velaphi with little choice. Mooy broke away from the wall which made it even hard for Velaphi. CCM 1 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
72' Mariners with some sustained pressure but Jaliens clears the danger. Mariners quickly regain possession. CCM 0 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
70' Does a clearance count as a forward pass? If so, Hutch has made his first forward pass. Only took him 69 minutes CCM 0 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
69' Ferreira tries to stand up Baharudin but the defender stands tall. This game needs a goal. CCM 0 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
67' Novillo backs himself and shoots from 20m but Reddy sees it safely out for a goal kick. City make another change. Paartalu is replaced by Hoffman. CCM 0 0 MCY
billyelliott
Roar Guru
65' Murdocca sets it up for Paartalu but the midfielder was leaning back and can't keep it down. IT was some great lead-up work from the new man Novillo that set up the chance for City. CCM 0 0 MCY