Central Coast Mariners 2018-19 season preview – Making up for lost time
By
Tom Mašanauskas October 11, 2018
Despite yet another offseason rebuild and wholesale squad turnover, Central Coast Mariners look to be heading forward under the guidance of Mike Mulvey.
Last Season
It was a season of untapped potential for the Gosford side, as Paolo Okon’s transfer frenzy – bringing in a dozen players – promised big things for the fallen force. Despite the expectation being to just qualify for the top six, Central Coast faltered and never really looked in the hunt, with a second half of the season so poor that it brought the spoon to Central Coast Stadium once more.
After a third of the season, Okon’s side were fourth, and the newfound religion
Hiariejismwas in full flight with new signing Tom Hiariej instilling new hope into the Yellow Army. Disappointingly, the Dutchman picked up a lengthy injury, causing a series of unfortunate events that spiralled into a rock-bottom finish and yet another managerial change.
The Mariners won just four of 27, drawing eight, and became the first A-League club to fall victim to NPL opposition twice in the FFA Cup, backing up their Green Gully defeat two seasons ago with a 3-2 loss to Blacktown City.
Strengths
Central Coast brought in a plethora of attacking options over the winter, but the strike force still looked unrefined with many players being young, unproven or not starting quality.
With constant calls from the fans to spend more money – the Mariners are notorious for scraping the salary floor – the board and Mike Charlesworth finally delivered, with Ross McCormack and Tommy Oar coming in for proven talent and experience. The addition of these two has glossed up the previously risky attack, but even without them, there is lots of potential if new manager Mulvey can find the right formula.
Matt Simon is the club’s record goalscorer and is having a successful preseason, Jordan Murray is being touted as potentially one of the best NPL graduates, and Mario Shabow and Corey Gameiro both have points to prove, making for an interesting and deep front third.
Weaknesses
The Mariners’ defence improved significantly last season after breaking the record for most goals conceded in 2016-17, but they still shipped 49 goals – the league’s third-highest. To add to that, Alan Baro has returned to Spain, and Storm Roux departed to Melbourne Victory, making for a weak defensive unit.
Ben Kennedy impressed early last season, but errors plagued the second half of his season, leaving Mulvey’s side with three goalkeepers who would be lucky to deputise at some other A-League clubs. Kalifa Cisse, the Malian defender and new signing, boasts Premier League experience, but has not played at a solid level since a three-game stint for Derby County in 2013-14 season. He was signed to fill the leadership and experience void left by Baro, but his sluggishness and fitness has been scrutinised, with performances eerily reminiscent of William Gallas’ for Perth Glory.
Jack Clisby has been passed around within the league, and his failure to nail down a starting spot is a concern, while Jake McGing is still a player whose ability is questioned as a full-back. Kye Rowles is a rare glimpse of positive light in the back four, with some impressive performances in his debut season for the club under Okon, and Matt Millar seems to be knocking on the door for a starting role in the right-back position with satisfactory performances in the preseason thus far.
Predicted XI
(4-3-3) Kennedy (GK); Clisby, Rowles, Cisse, Millar; Hiariej, O’Neill, McGlinchey; Pain, McCormack, Oar.
Expert Opinion
The Australian journalist Ray Gatt: “They’re not going to win the title, they’ll be a contender for a spot in the six. Anything above eighth or ninth spot is going to be a decent result for the Mariners I think, it’ll give Mike Mulvey something to work with for the following season. We need to see some improvement from this squad and I think we will.”
Predicted Finish – 6th
There may not be a more difficult side to predict than Central Coast this season, but with a transfer window of righting the wrongs of last season, improvement should be guaranteed and finals should be the minimum objective. If McCormack can replicate his form from his stint at Melbourne City, he will eradicate the Mariners’ striker issues that plagued them for most of last season, but he will require a rejuvenated Oar and Michael McGlinchey to provide service. All the ingredients are there, but it is unknown whether Mulvey can serve up the best dish possible
https://dailyfootballshow.com/?amp=1
