“Wunderbar!” was my first thought, having read various football headlines online. Signing Alou Kuol from Stuttgart was the best news, I believed, since the Mariners won the recent grand final over Melbourne City.
This was far bigger than Sam Silvera being sold to Middlesbrough, or even Nectar Triantis signing with Sunderland. It even trumped Jason Cummings’ move to Mohun Bagan.
Finally, a club that develops star players, was now buying a well-known talent. A gem, who coincidently, the Mariners helped uncover. Déjà vu? Welcome home, Alou.
My second reaction was a deep sense of respect for Nick Montgomery, coach of Central Coast. The return of Kuol says a lot about the gaffer’s calibre as a trusted mentor.
It’s why younger brother, Garang, had a successful Australian run, having being sold to the EPL club Newcastle United, from under Monty’s protective wing.
Mariners coach Nick Montgomery. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Two years ago, a much younger Alou was used sparingly as an impact substitute, brought on in the closing minutes of a game. On multiple occasions, Kuol single-handedly won the match, gaining him cult status in Gosford.
After a couple seasons in Germany, however, will the former Bundesliga talent now be used as a main striker, filling in for Jason Cummings?
On the field we don’t know exactly what the Mariner’s coaching staff have planned, but, maybe Kuol’s arrival was planned well in advance?
I wouldn’t put it past Montgomery. It’s easy to speculate a “gentlemen’s agreement”, which forms an alliance with the coach and other quality athletes.
A example of this unbreakable player bond was filmed last month as cameras caught Cummings embracing Montgomery after the grand final win. “You’ve changed my life,” beamed Cummings.
In a brief moment of televised privacy, Montgomery addressed Cummings’ ear. “Just come back in two years,” the coach whispered, his final words muffled by a hug between the two champions.
The door, it appears, is always open in Gosford, ushering people towards Montgomery and his team.
Saying that, the opposite is also true. Chairman Richard Peil encourages transfers, as the Mariners are a “selling club”. Being the Anytime Fitness co-founder, Peil understands reward for hard work.
For Kuol, however, home is where the heart is. Back at sunny Gosford, another few seasons will probably enable him to join his brother at the Socceroos. Maybe there will even be a dedicated All-Access episode of his very own?
Magic happens when you’re part of Montgomery’s band of merry men. The Mariners might not be the richest football team around, but they can sure polish a few stones into beautiful diamonds.
Brendan
Roar Pro
True. I’m confident the Mariner’s have the talent, & I’ve got faith in Monty. For me, Birighitti‘s departure was the biggest shock. Sadly for the keeper, his time in Scotland was a miserable series of unlucky events. The grass is not always greener. Saying that, Vukovic was a perfect replacement & a gentleman at all times. Pure class.
Nonbloke
Roar Rookie
We all thought that after Stajcic ……… and then again when we lost Rowles , Birrighitti and co. last season. This season the team is still chokers with talent and Monty is closing the gaps eg Alou , Theoharous and Wenzil-Halls still to make his mark………. but it’s all about the TEAM.
Brendan
Roar Pro
I like Theoharous because he can swap wings positions quickly. Sure, there are faster players, but he’s a threat who makes the opposition nervous.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I dont agree with your analysis, Kuol is a positionally a great poacher better than his finishing but not as poor as Moresche who I have seen miss countless times from many opportunities, the Mariners need to recruit some more attacking players to set him up, Theoharis is either a sub or going to be 50 min at best.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Which Kuol are you taking about Garang Kuol? Aluo Kuol he certainly is nothing like his brother, technique his brother is way superior. Aluo is however tall and fast and positionally in the box is excellent, he makes the proper striker runs which opens up the box for others as well.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
They have as good a run to the airport as the Wanderers by road, or train.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
always been an achilles heel for adelaide (having a striker score 15+ goals a season) - its only happened once Serg Van Dijk with 16 goals in 2010 - the team finished third in the league, got to the semi finals and also made the round of 16 in the asian champions league backs up my point about having a regular goal scorer and how it generally equals success.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Moves well for his size, I dont know what your talking about. I think the biggest problem with Theoharis is his final ball needs to be smarter but its hard to tell with the Mariners because they aren't good at the end of games in the front of the field. The other weird thing is when he played at Western United the one time he played central midfield, where he wasn't dribbling players and he put in a quality though ball, and I was completely mystified why he wasn't seen again. The way he slaughtered Adelaide defenders was embarrasing for them but I suppose he was up against old Lopez at the club that relies on the youngsters to pull them out of the fire, after the oldies conceed the goals.
Brendan
Roar Pro
You’re right about Cummings, SS. He got fitter as the season progressed. Early on, I was concerned by his reluctance to continuously sprint, pressing the defence. Thankfully Monty kept him honest.
Brendan
Roar Pro
City have the big game experience. They’re an elite football team, but as you say, they have lost some recent player depth.
Grem
Roar Rookie
You’re correct - every team needs a top goal scorer. Although your team have done extremely well and I can’t remember a high scoring striker.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Personally I dont rate Theohaurus..too big and cumbersome, will get found out.
Garry
Roar Rookie
I was thinking City would be good value BUT since then theyve lost all their main players..I doubt theyll reach the second round now.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
completely different players with very different strengths - cant really do a proper comparison kuol needs to really work on finishing chances that are presented to him by team mates, i'd like to see his goal to shot ratio over the past few seasons. just my opinion but he shouldnt need to have 4 or 5 half chances, before finding the back of the net - that ruthless efficiency is missing from his game like i said above, i will be shocked if he hits double figures for goals during the season
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
im trying to remember the golden boot winners with at least 16+ goals in the last decade and the correlation between winning the premiership/championship maclaren (multiple times), berisha, bobo, janko, krishna (hes about the only one i can remember where his team did not do much that year) im not saying thats its not do-able wihout 1 player that scores 15-25 goals - it just makes it alot harder thats all I know hes not the tallest player, but theoharous needs to slim down this pre season - he is easily a good several kilos overweight. (has to lay off the weights and do more cardio, i'd follow a similar taining schedule to andrew nabbout who is also similarily 'barrel chested' - i still love the adelaide fans chants of calling him fat whenever they play city lol) the mariners had this same issue with cummings when he came back overweight in pre season for the 22/23 season, you could see the sheer amount of weight he lost last year by the end of the season
Brendan
Roar Pro
At times, Kuol almost seemed like a one man army with a licence to thrill. He had a few miraculous shots, especially from the head, but Cummings brought experience and a sense of camaraderie, linking the athletes together. Maybe it’s just me, but I still feel Kuol played with more natural confidence than a Cummings. At times, Cummings would pause, reading the field, but Kuol kept the fluid momentum going, scoring from surprising angles.
Grem
Roar Rookie
What about the TheoHarris, Kuol and Tulio combination - 20-25 goals there?
Brendan
Roar Pro
The challenge will also be having the regional club juggle its Asian commitments. Melbourne City will certainly give the ACL a crack. Although, it’s uncharted territory for the Bulls.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Arzani’s a quality buy, but I was also surprised at how easily Macarthur let him go. He’d flourish under Monty.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Mission accepted! Triantis is a perfect example of other clubs (WSW) unable to fully develop NPL players. Monty’s an incredible scout, & has been in the Mariner’s system for years.