http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/arnold-deserves-some-overdue-respect-20101119-180wo.html
Arnold deserves some overdue respect
Michael Cockerill
November 20, 2010
THROUGH gritted teeth, the shooting gallery which for years lined up to take cheap shots at Graham Arnold is finding it hard not to acknowledge his achievements with Central Coast Mariners this season. Throw in the fact that another much-maligned coach of the recent past, Ange Postecoglou, has been performing similar wonders with Brisbane Roar, and the backtracking of critics has become a spectacle in itself. Arnold and Postecoglou were both thrust into the national team set-up at a time when the game was broke, and rudderless. They did their best.
In another country, they might have got some understanding and support. Here, they were crucified by the Eurosnob brigade, who find it hard to accept that Australians might be able to coach. Battered, but not bowed, Arnold and Postecoglou have this season shown just how much they really know. Brisbane lead the competition, and if Central Coast win their games in hand, they will go past them.
Much of the focus has been on Brisbane's eye-catching football, and rightly so. But the time has come to acknowledge how much progress the Mariners have made. With arguably the toughest draw of any team in the league - they've only played four of their 13 games at home - the Mariners have slowly but surely built a credible title challenge without the match-winners of most of their rivals.
Brisbane have Thomas Broich, Adelaide have Marcos Flores, Gold Coast have Jason Culina, Melbourne Victory have Carlos Hernandez, Wellington have Paul Ifill, and Perth have Robbie Fowler. The Mariners hoped to have Patricio Perez, but he's been in the treatment room for all but a few weeks. So Arnold has had to make do, giving the burden of responsibility instead to 17-year-old Mustafa Amini. A brave selection, and good coaching. The rewards are clear to see.
There's been nothing accidental about the Mariners' revival. Arnold brought in 11 new players and a clear sense of direction: to wean the team off the long-ball game and bring the midfield into the match by playing out from the back. You can see it every week. You can see young keeper Mathew Ryan, ball at his feet, thinking, ''Don't lump it, don't lump it.'' You can see Alex Wilkinson trying to play one-twos with Pedj Bojic to create space for a ball into the feet of a midfielder. You can see Rostyn Griffiths coming short to receive, and protect, possession to open up the flanks for Michael McGlinchey and Oliver Bozanic. It doesn't work all the time, but the intent is there. And the results are starting to come.
Central Coast don't play the same ethereal football as the Roar because they don't have the same quality of individuals. But within the constraints of a squad that still has obvious shortcomings, Arnold has been able to change habits, implement a structure, and get the players believing in the message, and themselves. The hard work is beginning to pay off, and now it's the job of the locals to support the changes that have been made.
Tomorrow, the Mariners welcome Gold Coast United to Bluetongue Stadium for the start of a run of home games that will define their season. Eight of their next 11 games are at Gosford, and - even better - the pitch is finally back to what it was in season one. The strength of Central Coast has always been the close relationship with the local football community, but after almost eight weeks on the road, fans could be excused for forgetting what their team looks like. It's a team that needs, and deserves, some decent crowds over the next few months to build on what's been a superb first half of the season.
