Can one player make that much of a difference? That’s what Mariner’s fans are asking this morning after another football lesson last night with Melbourne Victory handing the Mariners a 3-0 drubbing down in Melbourne.
So that’s seven goals conceded in the last two games for the Mariners, way too many for a team that was looking only four weeks ago at back-to-back, A-League titles.
So can we blame the departure of one man for this defensive breakdown?
Mile Jedinak’s transfer three weeks ago to Turkish club Genclerbirligi has left a gap in the Mariners defensive set up that the QE2 could easily navigate.
The normally astute management at Central Coast are readying the lifeboats as the decision to let Mile go before the end of the season starts to capsize their team structure.
This guy not only provided the muscle at the front of the Mariners defense, but also controlled the spread of ball forward to a very capable attack. Laurie McKinna has a major job in replacing his size and dominance in midfield that he has shown throughout this season.
Don’t be surprised to see Mile Jedinak’s name in future Socceroo squads as Pim Verbeek pencils his name into his little black book.
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Two non-penalties and a denied goal had Ufuk Talay furious as Sydney FC crashed out of the semi-finals.
So the Mariners enter the second leg of their A-League semi-final against the Sky Blues in the box seat and the Phoenix hold home-ground…
It will be a bumper occasion, there will not be a spare seat in the house and of course, Sydney FC could well produce a miracle with their backs against the wall.
The Sky Blues took the lead at home but couldn't hold on as the Mariners came back to claim a 2-1 win in the first leg of the semifinal.
Just four teams remain in the hunt for the 2023/24 A-League Championship and the action will be intense in the opening legs of the…
Cameron Burgess scored the winner to confirm Ipswich’s status as a Premier League club.
