CCM Fans and the club

[Forum Phoenix]

Squads on paper is one key indicator.
But is is only one, and it is only an indicator.
Team sport. So many factors.

Personally i think as pat says we've strengthened (if still not optimally) in all the key areas - there are more goals, possession and better defending in our side. Thats clear. We shouldnt underestimate the growth of a few youngsters either. Enough to make us competitive again i think.

Quality of import from other sides will likely see us still outgunned more often than we'll like, but we'll see. Easier and not unjustified to still be pessimistic at this this point. But no real point to the exercise either.

 

[FFC Mariner]

I agree FP we are a lot better than last season but that may not be enough

i think everyone is over us being uncompetitive and with a tough start it wont be easy

not losing away to Sydney or the scum will do me in the early rounds as i will be at both and absolutely hate leaving ether after a loss

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

I think 5-6 points in the first five rounds is an achievable and realistic goal this can come about without any drastic improvements from our assortment of young players if the structure is good enough. Anything less than that and I don't think really anyone can put forth a case that allows Tony Walmsley to stay in a managing position in the A-League. I hope Tony is up to the task.

 

[Mug Punter]

I'm really struggling to see anything you actually like about this club. What about the grounds men they always present an excellent pitch? And the ball boys surely they haven't done anything to piss you off??

There's so much to love about the Mariners but I guess I just am so so angry how the club has been mismanaged by MC and Shaun who is conspicuous in his absence here lately. I guess I see ownership of a club as a responsibility to the club's true owners, the Fans and the community it represents, whereas you are just happy to have a club at all.

You are right, I am struggling to find much to be positive with the club at the moment at all. The cherry on top is the vindication for Mossy and good on him for standing up for his rights but it just shows what a bully and incompetent MC is.

Last year was appalling and we all, kind of, copped it on the chin with the promise that there would be a major commitment this year to the squad. I'm sorry but what we have seen over the off season is not a major investment. And I suspect that we are actually still spending the absolute minimum allowed but because we are no longer paying the salaries of ex players at other clubs we have a little bit in the kitty for the minor improvements.

They really are playing us for fools by expecting us to buy these signings as addressing the problems. They've replaced an utterly shite squad with a shite squad and a situation where a successful season will be avoiding the wooden spoon, and I personally can't see that happening.

I'm not bothering renewing my OSC membership this year due to their weakness in communicating the feelings of fans to the club but perhaps they could simply ask Shaun, Are we spending the maximum cap? No marquee players required but spending the full cap has to be the minimum requirement and I bet that aint happening.

 

[Mug Punter]

I think 5-6 points in the first five rounds is an achievable and realistic goal this can come about without any drastic improvements from our assortment of young players if the structure is good enough. Anything less than that and I don't think really anyone can put forth a case that allows Tony Walmsley to stay in a managing position in the A-League. I hope Tony is up to the task.

If we are 1-2 points after 6 games, and we could well be then I hate to even think about the season ahead of us.

By all means sack Walmsley, I can't stand that MC hand maiden personally , but who would want the job? Nobody with any sense of self respect that's for sure with the way the owners and management run the joint

 

[Luca Brasi]

I have shared similar views about MC in the past but I consider the club better managed since SM arrived.
I cant see potential new owners lining up to buy our club and make the investments many want.
I think its great that I get to see top level football on the coast and I am going to continue to support my team win or lose.
The squad is much healthier than last season, not entirely happy but I am over the negativity 9 weeks before the season has even started.
I find I can handle your posts better Mug if I read them in an Alan Jones voice.

 

[Rowdy]

I find I can handle your posts better Mug if I read them in an Alan Jones voice.

Is there an an app for that ?

 

[pjennings]

Ok. Name 4 squads and coaching staff worse?

I'm not going to name 4 but rather put us with a group of clubs. I think most squads with the exception of Glory and us are weaker than last year. Whether that is the case when the season starts is another thing

At this stage Adelaide and WSW are considerably weaker than last season - but they have plenty of room to bring in people and I would expect them to finish in front of us. Melbourne City look weaker - but will very likely still challenge for the top after further recruitment. Glory have strengthened. They should finish in front of us.

Wellington conceded 54 goals. We conceded 70 goals. We have strengthened our defence and will likely concede less. They have been weakened in defence and will concede more. I think we will both score more but I expect us to finish above the Nix

Newcastle recruiting looks worse than ours - I expect us to finish above them.

That leaves Sydney FC, Victory and Roar all looking worse than last year - Victory in particular. Sydney may have marginally strengthened in defence but really don't look particularly threatening going forward at this stage. Victory have lost a lot and their star signing so far is Austin. Brisbane look weaker and older - but they also have room and time to improve before the season starts.

I think we will be in this group challenging for 5th and 6th. My tip is 6th or 7th for us.

 

[FFC Mariner]

SM is far and away the best administrator at the club since its inception (excluding Gorman possibly but he was a part owner so I excluded him)

It's not his fault he works for someone who doesn't want the club but only the property deal and it isnt his fault he is sweeping up after the stoner.

Shame the new owners kept going up the Freeway. Shame for them as they ended up owning the scum and shame for us as we are stuck with MC and his mate Storrie

 

[Gratis]

When you plant a sapling you should look to see that it grows steadily and healthily - not be angry and belligerent when it is not a giant tree dominating the forest straight away.
.....
Yes, in the past few years the club has made decisions they no doubt regret and have hurt us on and off the field. But what's done is done, all that matters now is what do from here.

But it is also very clear that CCM had to be made financially viable or go the way of the dodo.

You don't then go through the pain of achieving that to spend up big the next year and undo it all. That would be simply idiotic. Spending can only increase gradually and in all likelihood that means the players and results will have to improve gradually too.

I will make this loud and clear: our measure must be ONGOING PROGRESSION on and off the field. Progression being continually improving on what we've been doing. This does not mean expecting us to immediately return to a top playing and spending club the very next year. That would make no sense AT ALL.

I genuinely understand the frustration. But I'm also frankly getting a little sick of the total lack of reason in some of the comments I'm seeing, and the straight up whinging and ignoring of reality. Have some grit and face things as they are:
We took a major hit these last few years. But the recovery is in process and rehab is showing promise. We are progressing. And that is what we should all demand. But be realistic - progression is the best case scenario and the only reality you can ask for.

Let me put it another way as we have in some ways had to start again as a club to stay alive:

When you plant a sapling you should look to see that it grows steadily and healthily - not be angry and belligerent when it is not a giant tree dominating the forest straight away.

 

[Gratis]

So that's the philosophy. Here's the measurable.

My opinion is that across the tangible measures most would agree the club has shown progression, excluding in one area.

Open for debate of course but I would argue that since last season we have shown progression in:
Recruitment, squad balance and experience, finances, communication and other PR (i.e. toning down the drive to relocate games and so forth).

Where we haven't shown progression is in coaching - specifically regarding tactics, strategy and game plans. Why? Because it's the off season...
This measure can only be assessed over the first 6+ games of the season and will and should be judged on merit.

Thus, I would argue that overall the club is pulling its weight in terms of progression with the coaching measure to be addressed in due course.
My assessment therefore is that the sapling is growing, is being watered and afforded suitable sunlight.

 

[Wombat]

If we are 1-2 points after 6 games, and we could well be then I hate to even think about the season ahead of us.

By all means sack Walmsley, I can't stand that MC hand maiden personally , but who would want the job? Nobody with any sense of self respect that's for sure with the way the owners and management run the joint

f**k off you Newcastle muppet.

 

[dibo]

Steady on

 

[Luca Brasi]

Name 4 squads and coaching staff worse?

I would rather compare each clubs squad compared to where they were last year.
We have signed 5 players for key positions who are likely 1st team players and lost Austin. The squad is complete 10 weeks out from the season start to allow proper pre season and formations/combinations to develop. We have blooded a lot of younger players last year who will be better for the experience. I think our position is stronger than last year (not hard I guess).
I also think scum, PG and SFC have all improved their squads, SFC have turned over 13 players.
MV and WSW squads are about on par where they were last year, WSW have turned over 13 players but Poppa does this regularly and can probably handle it better than Arnie.
Not convinced on the following -
Adelaide have lost six 1st team players in attack but signed 4 up and coming players - this will show if Amor really is a top coach.. It will be hard for them to replace that attack and only have one foreign spot left.
Phoenix have bolstered their attack in Finkler and Barbarousas but are in need of a back 4.
MC have turned over 11 players including Mooy (11 goals & 20 assists) and Novillo (13 goals), big shoes to fill by Brandan and Cahill (if he comes), Van Schipp has underachieved given his budget and resources.
Roar have lost five 1st team players and signed Kristensen. A bit light at the back perhaps.
WSW, SFC, scum, Roar and Adelaide all looking for strikers.
Long way to go before the season starts but relatively pleased by our signings and preparation.
The others can spend a shit load more than we can and will probably do so before the season starts.

 

[MagpieMariner]

As a club, you can spend up as much as you like, but if the players you buy aren't willing to bleed for the club, if they're only there for the $$$, you will fail. A good example of this is Manly RL: for a time they were known as the big spenders, but in 20 years they go 2 premierships. They were epic fails because their purchases were ice cream - when the heat was on they melted. Last season I saw City looking like the same, lots of money spent, but at the end of the day they only had melted ice cream. I'm hopeful that the players we have bought (admittedly for small $$ overall, but big $$ in our circumstances) will turn out to be steel, getting stronger when heated, not chocolate soldiers.

 

[Wombat]

Steady on

Don't you have an alarm that goes off when a Scummer posts some drivel? LOL.

If he is a misguided fan I take it back.

 

[dibo]

There was no problem with his post. Feel free to disagree with him, but keep it civil.

 

[Shaun Mielekamp]

There's so much to love about the Mariners but I guess I just am so so angry how the club has been mismanaged by MC and Shaun who is conspicuous in his absence here lately. I guess I see ownership of a club as a responsibility to the club's true owners, the Fans and the community it represents, whereas you are just happy to have a club at all.

You are right, I am struggling to find much to be positive with the club at the moment at all. The cherry on top is the vindication for Mossy and good on him for standing up for his rights but it just shows what a bully and incompetent MC is.

Last year was appalling and we all, kind of, copped it on the chin with the promise that there would be a major commitment this year to the squad. I'm sorry but what we have seen over the off season is not a major investment. And I suspect that we are actually still spending the absolute minimum allowed but because we are no longer paying the salaries of ex players at other clubs we have a little bit in the kitty for the minor improvements.

They really are playing us for fools by expecting us to buy these signings as addressing the problems. They've replaced an utterly shite squad with a shite squad and a situation where a successful season will be avoiding the wooden spoon, and I personally can't see that happening.

I'm not bothering renewing my OSC membership this year due to their weakness in communicating the feelings of fans to the club but perhaps they could simply ask Shaun, Are we spending the maximum cap? No marquee players required but spending the full cap has to be the minimum requirement and I bet that aint happening.

Hi Mug, I appreciate your feedback on my "mismanagement" and just because I am not posting on here doesn't mean that i am not here reading daily. I am sure you would perhaps prefer me to be working on helping our teams plans for the FFA cup match tomorrow though. Just for the record my appointment was well after Phil Moss had departed the club. Happy to hear any constructive criticism you would have though and I am always open to have a face to face with any member who wishes to find out more about the club.

 

[dibo]

My take is that we're operating with a tightly constrained budget, and will be until/unless the new TV deal delivers a strong boost to the grant income. There appears to be an unwillingness to burn more cash in advance of that.

For all that that is painful, I do get the logic. I'd rather have a club than not, and limping to the next TV deal rather than flaming out before it comes is definitely my preferred option, even if that means we're looking at competing for 9th.

If anybody has an investor in their pocket with lots of liquid capital and a desire to either work with MC to build the business now *or* the capacity to buy MC out, I'm sure Shaun can put you in touch.

 

[FFC Mariner]

My issue with the post above is the bit about the clubs "true owners" the fans.

Until fans are allowed to buy proper equity and get representation, that can never happen.