With the season postponed, here’s a review of the Central Coast Mariners’ 2019-20 season so far.
The Mariners showed encouraging signs of improvement in the early going of the season, but eventually fell far behind the pack. The side has failed to register a single point since Round 14 and sit rightfully at the bottom of the table.
Season highlight: 2-1 win against Adelaide United – Round 11
One of the rare occasions this season that the Mariners showed up to play, getting off to a quick start through Kyle Rowles and then Milan Djuric doubling their advantage before the end of the half.
They’d hold on for a 2-1 win in which they were the more clinical side, despite having eight less shots, their distribution in the attacking half was better than Adelaide’s.
Season low: 6-2 loss to Western United – Round 21
Just one of the many lows for the Mariners this season. The Mariners’ Round 21 clash was an absolute dismal performance. Being level at 1-1 20 minutes in, they would get outclassed for the remainder.
Conceding four goals in the first half, and conceding another two in the second half, the defence couldn’t withstand Western United’s attacking pressure. As a result suffering one of their heaviest defeats in club history.
End of season bonus: Sam Silvera
Hypothetically if the Mariners were going to get the cashbook out, youngster Silvera would be an ideal player for a raise. He was a shining light in what was an abysmal season for the Mariners. He made 17 appearances, which he assisted and scored only once but looked comfortable at senior level.
He made good strides in his career. Aged 19 Silvera and in his first senior season, he wouldn’t be on much cash so a nice bonus would be good reward for his good start to his young career.
Samuel Silvera (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Chopping block: Michael McGlinchey
His second stint at the club hasn’t been as successful as his stint at the club from 2009-2014. At the backend of his career aged 33, McGlinchey isn’t making an impact at A-League level anymore, even if his game time has been limited.
Failing to register a goal or assist in his eight appearances is not good enough. If the club wants to remove itself from the identity of being the club for recycled A-League players, then McGlinchey should be the first one to be moved on at the end of the season.
Season score: 1/10
The club has resembled an NPL side this season more times than it has as an A-League club. It looks as if the players have grown uninterested, the fans largely have stopped showing up which was always going to be the case if the club started to underperform as they’re based which has limited football interest.
If Mike Charlesworth is serious about selling the club’s A-League license then it’d be for the best, because the current state of the club just isn’t cutting it anymore in the A-League.
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The Mariners must deal with possibly their toughest challenge yet - Kyrgyzstan’s FK Abdysh-Ata Kant in the first leg of the semifinal.
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Anthony Caceres is a player with immense talent and has a fantastic work rate, broke the deadlock against the Mariners in the 74th minute.
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