Opinion
The A-League has been entertaining up until its postponement.
It’s due to start again on July 16. This is how the Central Coast’s season was assessed as it stands prior to the restart.
What’s the story?
The Central Coast Mariners would be pondering how they can get out of their current predicament. They are languishing on the bottom of the 2019-20 A-League ladder as it stands. Lots of changes have to be made.
It would be good to see more of the players that are sitting on the substitute bench. There needs to be a lot of thought. Changing players’ positions and other things can change.
The five most talented players
5. Jordan Murray scored a brace in the Central Coast Mariners’ last game of the season for the Central Coast Mariners, due to the postponement of the 2019-20 A-League season. That game, Murray played to his optimum level. Sadly he hasn’t played to his optimum level this season. He needs to prove that the way he performed against Melbourne City wasn’t an aberration.
4. Michael McGlinchey may be 33 years of age, but he is still a player with plenty of ability.
3. Gianni Stensness is a good midfielder that has plenty of talent.
2. Milan Djuric is an outstanding player. Djuric is particularly talented in the final third as he has scored four goals in the 2019-20 A-League season.
1. Ruon Tongyik proved what a quality player he is. He pretty much scored in the first game he played a part in when he was brought on as a substitute. Tongyik is a player that has so much talent and should play every game he is fit and available to play in.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Honourable mention: Ziggy Gordon is a capable defender who has played every minute of every game. The Central Coast Mariners would have lost by even more had Gordon not featured in all 22 games as he is a defender with plenty of ability.
Most adaptable player
They don’t have an adaptable player in theory, but due to their current predicament, they can make some players play different roles. For instance, Kye Rowles could play right back. Ziggy Gordon has the capability to play left back. Chris Harold and Jack Clisby have the ability to play on the right and left wing respectively.
Who needs to lift?
Everyone. There isn’t a player in the team that doesn’t need to lift. The whole team needs to improve as the Central Coast Mariners have won just four games, drawn one game and lost 17 games out of 22 games, which says it all. It’s not just the results that have been disappointing, but also the manner in which they have played and the team selection.
What has to alter?
Everything. Adam Pearce should be in the starting line-up as the goalkeeper, because a change of goalkeeper can mean a change of luck. Kye Rowles should replace Lewis Miller at right back, while Ziggy Gordon could play left back instead of Jack Clisby. The Central Coast Mariners should try and play the following line-up, using a 4-5-1 formation.
Goalkeeper: Adam Pearce
Right Back: Kye Rowles
Centre Back: Ruon Tongyik
Centre Back: Dylan Fox
Left Back: Ziggy Gordon
Right Wing: Chris Harold
Centre Midfield: Michael McGlinchey (Captain)
Centre Midfield: Gianni Stensness
Attacking Midfield: Milan Djuric
Left Wing: Jack Clisby
Striker: Jordan Murray
Substitute: Kim Eun-Sun
Substitute: Josh Nisbet
Substitute: Jacob Melling
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