Mariners Pre-season

[midfielder]

My Mates brief match report...Freezing fingers, hard to sms. Coast dominate 2nd half - Belco barely say the ball. Crowd maybe 1500 or so. McKellar's a great little stadium. No amazing stand-outs. Elrich MOM, maybe. Nearly all chamber from corners.

 

[fedelta]

3-0 ft

 

[pjennings]

Who else plays the tempo role?

Hutch isn't there to create blistering attacks. He's not there for the cutting through ball (though he's sent a few in his time). He's the man who gets free to receive a simple pass and send one more on. That's why he's got loads of completed passes. His role in the network is to receive a little ping and send it on.

If he gets caught in possession, better that he draws a foul (and everyone in the known universe knows he'll turn his melon-butt at the player, cop a bump and fall over - mostly because it works!) than hand the ball over.

In defence, he closes space down and causes bother. He's going to give away fouls, sometimes in pretty sensible places (again, better to foul someone on halfway than let them run on with numbers to the defence).

He plays a deeply unsexy role in a deeply unsexy way, but it's reasonably effective. It's boring, negative and dull, but that's exactly what *that* role calls for. If Caceres, Kwasnik or Elrich played that way I'd be concerned, but he's meant to. What's more, until Huke came we didn't really have anyone else who plays that role. *That's* why he doesn't get dropped.

Fully agree. My only gripe with Hutch was the number of set pieces he took. Once Jedi left I would have thought that Porter seemed to be our best set piece specialist. Hutch though seemed to take the majority. 

 

[marinermick]

Central Coast Mariners
Media Release
Thursday, 9 July

Threes a crowd in Booz Company Cup win

The Central Coast Mariners have scored three goals in eight minutes to claim the Booz and Co. Cup, against a spirited Belconnen United side, who kept the yellow and navy scoreless for 68 minutes.

"I was happy with the second half, but the first half was the same as last year, we never had the ball up front, we never showed up front, the movement was poor, everything was poor. Thats why we took Caceres and Mrdja off at half time, because it just wasnt good enough. I thought the boys who came on, Nicky Travis did very well, through the whole game I thought Pedj Bojic was outstanding, Adam Kwasnik did well when he came on, Gary Wales did a great job for the full 90 minutes as well,," said Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna.

The Mariners made a bright start to their second game in four days, Adrian Caceres keeping Belconnens defence busy down the left flank, feeding two early deliveries into the box, and was unlucky neither of them proved more fruitful.

Caceres was involved again soon after as he nodded a header on to Dean Heffernan, whose shot cleared the crossbar.

At the other end, Ian Waldon fired a long-range effort wide of Danny Vukovics right upright, but the Mariners were about to enjoy an extended period of dominance.

Three consecutive corners put Belconnens defence under immense pressure, Nik Mrdja and Milos Lujic both going close to opening the scoring, while Lujic found himself in a great position on the edge of the box, but watched his shot slide narrowly wide.

Another corner forced the Blue Devils to clear a Mrdja header off the line, before Belconnen had the chance of the half.

Pedj Bojic was ruled to have handballed inside the area, allowing Taylor Beaton the chance to continue a rich vain of goalscoring form in the annual clash, albeit twice for the yellow and navy last year.

His penalty was sent low to Vukovics left, but the Mariners custodian was up to the task, brilliantly denying the hosts the lead.

And as the clock wound down, Ahmad Elrich found Adam Kwasnik, who, after a good turn, fired over under heavy pressure from Belconnen keeper Alex Connell.

After making two changes at the break the Mariners returned desperate to break the stalemate, Nigel Boogaards header from an Elrich corner somehow staying out, the visitors then surviving a scare at the other end, as Belconnen had a goal disallowed.

Chris Doig flashed a header just wide as the Mariners pushed hard for a breakthrough, Elrich shooting straight at replacement keeper Will Laurie, and Lim Dong Sup headed over from shot range after latching on to a Nicky Travis corner.

Sup made amends on 68 minutes though when he tapped in after a goalmouth scramble, to finally give the yellow and navy the advantage, and two minutes later the lead was doubled, Gary Wales having his initial shot blocked, before finishing neatly into the bottom corner.

Happy with the second half, we could have scored a few more, I think we had three or four cleared off the line, but its not about the score. Its pre-season for us, weve only been training for a week, we trained hard this morning, and its just about getting through the game. But you have to show mental toughness, and in the first half we didnt do that, but in the second half we did.

It was always going to be hard, there were unlimited subs which was good for us, for our fitness it was great for us, and in the second half it was a far better performance, but you need to put in for 90 minutes, so Ill be looking for a better second half on Sunday, McKinna said.

Ahmad Elrich then made it three goals in eight minutes in spectacular style, as Wales played the ball down for the Qantas Socceroo to volley brilliantly past Laurie, and seal the deal.

"Pedj switched it and I think Walesy (Gary Wales) was going to take it, so I just called for it. I saw the keeper a bit off his line so I thought Id lob him, and luckily enough, it went in, said Elrich.

Weve had a very tough week and the boys have a few aches and pains here and there, but the second half showed that when we hit second gear we dominated the game. They had to clear three or four off the line so it could have been a lot more, but at the end of the day, were happy with three nil.

Heffernan could have made it four but had a header cleared off the line before firing wide through a crowded area.

Three goals were enough though, to ensure the Mariners unbeaten pre-season would continue.

The Mariners will continue their pre-season campaign on Sunday, 12 July when they take on a Capital Football select XI at the AIS Athletics Track. Kick Off is at 1pm. Tickets will be available at the gate.

Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season are now available online at www.ccmariners.com.au <http://www.ccmariners.com.au>  or by phoning 1300 767 442.

Match Details

Central Coast Mariners 20. Danny Vukovic (gk), 4. Pedj Bojic, 8. Dean Heffernan, 9. Nik Mrdja (22. Nicky Travis 46), 10. Adrian Caceres (23. Adam Kwasnik 32), 13. Chris Doig (5. Brad Porter 73), 16. Nigel Boogaard, 18. Alex Wilkinson, 20. Ahmad Elrich, 26. Gary Wales, 27. Milos Lujic (2. Lim Dong Sup (46).

Unused Subs None.

Yellow Cards None
Red Cards None
Goals Lim Dong Sup 68, Gary Wales 71, Ahmad Elrich 76

Belconnen United 1. Alex Connell (gk) (20. Will Laurie (gk) 46), 2. Matt Valeri (8. Cam Reinhart 84), 4. Lee Pietrowski (9. Danny Hately 46), 5. Taylor Beaton (6. Nuru Somi 66), 6. Nuru Somi (15. Tai Smith 22 (12. Ian Graham 84), 7. Callum Beaton (10. Phillipe Borgeaud 22 (7. Callum Beaton 66), 8. Cam Reinhart (18. Ryan Kyprianou 46), 11. Davey Kemp (10. Phillipe Borgeaud 84), 12. Ian Graham (17. Jason ODwyer 66 (5. Taylor Beaton 84), 16. Ian Waldon (19. David Arranz 46) , 19. David Arranz (3. Ben Harrington 31 (16. Ian Waldon 71).

Unused Subs None.

Yellow Cards None
Red Cards None
Goals None

Referee Richard Naumovski
Crowd Approx 550

Ends

 

[serious14]

Foreigners, goals, clean sheet...........

WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING HERE?

I don't like it.  Ethnics do nothing but ruin the game.  Normal service ASAP thanks.

 

[marinermick]

surely the korean's nickname must be "wassup"

 

[scottmac]

Foreigners, goals, clean sheet...........

WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING HERE?

I don't like it.  Ethnics do nothing but ruin the game.  Normal service ASAP thanks.

And whats with the corners being in the right area to get headed shots on goal? Please Travis refrain from taking corners and return the job to Hutch ASAP.

And best of all, whats with a LM sub being made at 32' when things are not working? They must be trying to impress the Canberra locals for something?

 

[serious14]

And best of all, whats with a LM sub being made at 32' when things are not working? They must be trying to impress the Canberra locals for something?

Bloody FFA conspiracy....

 

[adz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L38wthA4Ld0

wassuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Bex,  probably time to go lie down again, 

Who else plays the tempo role?

Hutch isn't there to create blistering attacks. He's not there for the cutting through ball (though he's sent a few in his time). He's the man who gets free to receive a simple pass and send one more on. That's why he's got loads of completed passes. His role in the network is to receive a little ping and send it on.

If he gets caught in possession, better that he draws a foul (and everyone in the known universe knows he'll turn his melon-butt at the player, cop a bump and fall over - mostly because it works!) than hand the ball over.

In defence, he closes space down and causes bother. He's going to give away fouls, sometimes in pretty sensible places (again, better to foul someone on halfway than let them run on with numbers to the defence).

He plays a deeply unsexy role in a deeply unsexy way, but it's reasonably effective. It's boring, negative and dull, but that's exactly what *that* role calls for. If Caceres, Kwasnik or Elrich played that way I'd be concerned, but he's meant to. What's more, until Huke came we didn't really have anyone else who plays that role. *That's* why he doesn't get dropped.

Precisely.

I understand that this may seem like just another opinion to some people.
But it really is founded on solid fact and observation. I know for a fact Hutch is asked to play the hold up role he does. Holy shit... I'm sound like Raffa!

______________________
"good post Phoenix...
except one thing
Why was Hutch never dropped? (or maybe he was and I am using forgetting)
Maybe...Maybe he didnt play as bad as everyone makes out...but surely not undroppable?
When Sasho got dropped, Gumpy dropped, Bojic dropped, Caceres dropped etc.
Huke even got dropped in ACL to bench...
People were whinging about that as well, and I cant see any excuse for that..."
_________________________

"This is the reason why Hutch copped so much shite.

For all intents and purposes, it APPEARED as though he was being favoured. All the other players whose form dropped (and lets be fair here Hutch's form did drop, no matter the excuse, too many memories of free kicks being sent straight to oposition heads unchallenged) were relegated to the bench. Our form continued to dive and Hutch retained his spot in the middle of the park no matter the formation or personel around him. Even when we tried Bojic and Boogard in DM he was still in the team.

I for one was baying for his blood on some occasions, and also Mckinna's for not pulling him when the situation called. For it not to happen to him but most around him gives clear reason to BELIEVE that he was being favoured."
_______________________________________

Mmm, Wilko was having a torrid time... a definite slump in form. Was he dropped?
Danny? Easily his worst season yes? Dropped?
Matty on track to be golden boot but then completely stopped scoring... Dropped?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying they should have been dropped either. As they were the best available to fill the roles that the team needed them to play. Its about looking at your squad and dealing with the reality of what you need and at what you have.

It's quite strange to me...
Personally Lawrie certainly strikes me as the least insecure and most honest coach in the A league. This does not at all reconcile with the type of personality who needs to play favourites.

The reason Hutch was not dropped is just as Dibo stated. Hutch was not dropped by his gaffer because most of the time he was still doing what he was asked. If he was being asked to be a creative attacking midfielder, you would have to say that he was very poor and you would think Lawrie would surely drop him....

But just look at what everyones criticisms have always been....

All the Hutch criticism I have read is about him is - that he does not play it forward... isn't creative enough... slows it down when he could have pushed on the break... or hating the way he draws his fouls. I don't actually recall anyone saying last season, Hutch just never keeps possession... he never closes anyone down... tackles... harasses... or safely passes back and successfully completes his passes... YET THESE ARE THE JOBS HE'S ASKED TO DO. You don't drop a player when he's doing what you asked him to do.

Our major problems were that we stopped scoring and our back line lost the plot. As unlikable or unsexy (as dibo put it so well) as it may be, Hutch was actually one of the least problematic players in terms of still fulfilling his role from a gaffers point of view... and so lo and behold he stays on.

Hutch for those who understand what role he plays, was clearly left on week after week, because he was pretty consistently doing his job or at the very least there was no one else within the squad who could do the self same role better. Not becasue Lawrie is so emotionally weak as a coach that he's simply incapabale of putting Hutch or anyone on the bench. The whole favourites thing is a ludicrous concept when it comes to Lawrie (And don't go opening the Kwassie files now - they are equally as refutable) But favouritism does serve as a possible explanation if you are looking at a player and getting pissed off that they are not doing what you think they should be doing - while you are unwittingly oblivious to what their actual team function is... The other possibility is that they are doing what they are being asked, and so are not benched.  Sorry guys, but the brunt of the creative attacking and goal scoring failures lay at other doors and so Hutch escaped being dropped.

Wombat... Interesting, I don't think i've ever heard warm and fuzzy and hitting a nail on the head used in the same sentence before? (But come on... Who do you think your kidding? like you didn't notice he was good looking!!)

 

Kareem...
lol... "before you start having a cry" thats just hilarious!
Hey Kareem! What would you say to the possibility of swapping your mums car for some beans??!! Don't worry, these are not just ordinary beans Kareem, these are magic beans!!

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Foreigners, goals, clean sheet...........

WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING HERE?

I don't like it.  Ethnics do nothing but ruin the game.  Normal service ASAP thanks.

And whats with the corners being in the right area to get headed shots on goal? Please Travis refrain from taking corners and return the job to Hutch ASAP.

And best of all, whats with a LM sub being made at 32' when things are not working? They must be trying to impress the Canberra locals for something?

Friendlies with unlimited subs...
Don't worry, I'm sure 70 minute Lawrie will return August 6th 

 

[fish]

Wales did really well , is heading home today so lets hope something comes of it for him.
More trialists to arrive next week to hopefully finalise remaining spots.

 

[Ravana]

When will they decide on them?

 

[bulldogmariner]

Wales did really well , is heading home today so lets hope something comes of it for him.
More trialists to arrive next week to hopefully finalise remaining spots.

Fish is this you saying that Wales should be signed? I thought he did well against Sydney FC but you saw him on both occassions.

 

[UnitedsNo9]

Quote... "I don't actually recall anyone saying last season, Hutch just never keeps possession... he never closes anyone down... tackles... harasses... or safely passes back and successfully completes his passes... YET THESE ARE THE JOBS HE'S ASKED TO DO. You don't drop a player when he's doing what you asked him to do."



  Spot on buddy

 

[Kareem]

Who else plays the tempo role?

Hutch isn't there to create blistering attacks. He's not there for the cutting through ball (though he's sent a few in his time). He's the man who gets free to receive a simple pass and send one more on. That's why he's got loads of completed passes. His role in the network is to receive a little ping and send it on.

If he gets caught in possession, better that he draws a foul (and everyone in the known universe knows he'll turn his melon-butt at the player, cop a bump and fall over - mostly because it works!) than hand the ball over.

In defence, he closes space down and causes bother. He's going to give away fouls, sometimes in pretty sensible places (again, better to foul someone on halfway than let them run on with numbers to the defence).

He plays a deeply unsexy role in a deeply unsexy way, but it's reasonably effective. It's boring, negative and dull, but that's exactly what *that* role calls for. If Caceres, Kwasnik or Elrich played that way I'd be concerned, but he's meant to. What's more, until Huke came we didn't really have anyone else who plays that role. *That's* why he doesn't get dropped.

Fully agree. My only gripe with Hutch was the number of set pieces he took. Once Jedi left I would have thought that Porter seemed to be our best set piece specialist. Hutch though seemed to take the majority.  

set pieces...
Pedj for our freekick specialist

 

[dibo]

Hutch being shit at set pieces I completely agree on. Add Caceres to the list too. Oh, and Kwasnik putting a corner straight out for a goal kick against TEDA was embarassing, but not much more than consistently failing to clear the first defender's head or sailing the ball harmlessly past all the attackers at every basically attacking free-kick or corner we take.

 

[Jesus]

Hutch being shit at set pieces I completely agree on. Add Caceres to the list too. Oh, and Kwasnik putting a corner straight out for a goal kick against TEDA was embarassing, but not much more than consistently failing to clear the first defender's head or sailing the ball harmlessly past all the attackers at every basically attacking free-kick or corner we take.

Porter is the obvious choice. Or elrich.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Porter takes a wicked free kick - much better than Mrdja's 50m run up and blast at the wall.

(Mind you, I am on record for saying that Mile was too far out to score on a few occasions only to be proved wrong)

 

[Jesus]

Porter takes a wicked free kick - much better than Mrdja's 50m run up and blast at the wall.

(Mind you, I am on record for saying that Mile was too far out to score on a few occasions only to be proved wrong)

I remember mile standing over a free kick from 5 in from half way and thinking, it is way too far out, only for him to hit the bar and post top corner.

That said if mrdja can work on his free kicks to where he used to be they are great too.