Central Coast Mariners' best 11 so far

Central Coast finished the 2017-18 A-League season poorly after losing 8-2 to their rivals Newcastle Jets.

Since Wellington defeated Melbourne City 2-1 in Round 27, Central Coast finished with the wooden spoon for the second time in three seasons.

Mike Mulvey has a completely different squad to work with, after deciding to clean out his team of first team players.

Wout Brama who had a poor season, Alan Baro and Trent Buhagiar (who made an eventual move to Sydney FC) had their contract’s terminated.

Experienced players Jacob Poscoliero, Blake Powell, Storm Roux, Joshua Rose and youngsters Liam Rose, Tom Glover and Peter Skapetis departed. Unimpressive but promising Daniel De Silva moved on loan to Sydney FC.

In fact, only 10 players remain from the squad last season. Last season’s squad didn’t look all that bad for them, but they finished at the bottom of the table. What happened?

Formation: 3-4-3 flat
Goalkeeper: Ben Kennedy
Central Coast’s best performer in the 2017-18 season, he should get the nod ahead of Adam Pearce and Joe Gauci. Has been a professional goalkeeper in the A-League for many years now, most notably for rivals Newcastle Jets.

Defenders: Kye Rowles, Kalifa Cisse, Antony Golec
Kye Rowles played 11 times for Central Coast last season and Antony Golec started 22 times alongside Alan Baro. Was one of Central Coast’s few impressive player and should continue in Central Defense.

Kye Rowles will get the nod ahead of Jonathan Aspropotamitis because he played more minutes last season, and Aspropotamitis just joined the club.

Wout Brama of the Central Coast Mariners (AAP Image/Tony McDonough)

Cisse has played all over the world for many years and his experience would be valuable in his defensive partnership with Golec and Rowles. Played in England from 2007-12.

Midfielders: Jake McGing, Tom Hiraiej, Michael McGlinchey, Jack Clisby
Jake McGing will most likely play as a right wing-back position under Mulvey. Has played in that position under Mulvey in the latter part of the A-League season.

Jack Clisby is a natural full back, so will need to adapt to his new left wing-back position under Mike Mulvey. It will be difficult, especially since he didn’t play regularly last season.

Hiariej will partner former New Zealend international McGlinchey in Central Midfield, although the latter is more attacking minded. McGlinchey has played almost 200 games in the A-League, so he provides experience in the middle of the park. Would be the ideal replacement for Brama, who didn’t partner well with Hiariej.

Forwards: Andrew Hoole, Matt Simon, Connor Pain
Wingers Hoole and Pain played relatively well last season with four goals apiece and eight assists altogether.

Both only 24, they still have lots of A-League experience and can cause headache’s for any defense. Especially Hoole winning 68 fouls, putting in 50 key passes and going on 67 successful dribbles last season.

Matt Simon is approaching the back end of his career but scored twice at the end of the 2017-18 season. Needs to be more consistent finding the net because being on another goal scoring drought will not do.

Substitutes: Adam Pearce, Jonathan Aspropotamitis, Jacob Melling, Mario Shabow, Corey Gameiro
Pearce is a goalkeeper who will most likely get the nod ahead of Joe Gauci who recently joined the club. Was third choice keeper last season, but the departure of Tom Glover means that he is now a substitute.

Aspropotamitis is a solid choice and can replace either Rowles, Cisse or Golec. Should challenge for a Starting XI spot and has played nearly 50 times in the A-League. He was also the Under-23 Socceroos Captain in 2017.

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Jacob Melling has played around 60 A-League appearances and played regularly after coming to Gosford. Looks to be a Starting XI member in future seasons.

Mario Shabow looks promising with 21 games with the Western Sydney Wanderers reserves and seven goals two season’s ago before playing seven games with runners up Newcastle Jets.

Corey Gamerio is a striker who hasn’t scored for nearly four years, due to injury concerns. Looked dangerous in attack whenever he came off the bench and had a shot, with 70% of them on target. Needs to score and put an end to his drought.

Reserves: Joe Gauci, Adam Berry, Peter Kerkeris
Gauci has played regularly as a goalkeeper in the National Premier League, but doesn’t look to challenge Adam Pearce.

Adam Berry has played 24 times for Central Coast since 2015 but only managed to play 15 minutes last season.

Peter Kekeris
Played in the FFA CoE a few seasons ago and was in the Central Coast Mariners Academy last season. Played 34 games, and scored 4 goals.