Mariners Squad 2022/2023

[FFC Mariner]

Are we devaluing Dan by wishing for a more "experienced" centre back? Whoever comes in will be well behind him in how we play and how we defend. IMO, he's spent well enough time in our system to be that guy. It's just a matter of if he elevates himself into that role. I'd actually be inclined to give him a crack at it and if it doesn't work we've got the Jan window to fix it

Agree. Good post

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

Are we devaluing Dan by wishing for a more "experienced" centre back? Whoever comes in will be well behind him in how we play and how we defend. IMO, he's spent well enough time in our system to be that guy. It's just a matter of if he elevates himself into that role. I'd actually be inclined to give him a crack at it and if it doesn't work we've got the Jan window to fix it

I don't think asking Dan to compete for his spot is devaluing Dan.

If Dan cannot successfully win a spot in our side on merit, especially against someone with a resume as underwhelming as Kelechi John, does he deserve an A-League starting spot?

All central defenders have started this season on an even keel it is Dan's spot to win or lose.

An experienced centre back would be a replacement for Kye or Tongyik anyway. Not a replacement for Dan.

If he is a player capable of pushing further in both the A-League and beyond he should have no problems displacing Kelechi John.

 

[scottmac]

I don't think asking Dan to compete for his spot is devaluing Dan.

If Dan cannot successfully win a spot in our side on merit, especially against someone with a resume as underwhelming as Kelechi John, does he deserve an A-League starting spot?

All central defenders have started this season on an even keel it is Dan's spot to win or lose.

An experienced centre back would be a replacement for Kye or Tongyik anyway. Not a replacement for Dan.

If he is a player capable of pushing further in both the A-League and beyond he should have no problems displacing Kelechi John.

I'm not saying Dan doesn't have to compete for his spot. I'm saying that the Tongyik/Kye spot should be his to begin the season due to his superior knowledge of our system and his performance last year. I don't believe he has to win a spot. I believe he's already won it. If he can step into the lead role with Danny behind him (and what a f**king signing to make that happen) then he's the guy. Kye got that chance........

 

[Coastalraider]

Kelechi will surprise.

Dan has first dibs as his partner, and with Triantis and Windust in reserve we are fine.
We have a tonne of quality in the front 3rd as well, we will have one heck of an impactful bench late in games.

Our glaring issue right now is midfield. If nizz/Ballard get injured we are cooked. We have had issues transitioning from back third to front third with our current system, and losing one of these players will kill us,

our desperate need to take this squad to the next level is an experienced, quality box to box midfielder to manage the tempo and link our lines. Imagine a Milan Duric style player in this squad alongside Nizz, with Ballard/Steele off the bench.

 

[Tevor]

Kelechi will surprise.

Dan has first dibs as his partner, and with Triantis and Windust in reserve we are fine.
We have a tonne of quality in the front 3rd as well, we will have one heck of an impactful bench late in games.

Our glaring issue right now is midfield. If nizz/Ballard get injured we are cooked. We have had issues transitioning from back third to front third with our current system, and losing one of these players will kill us,

our desperate need to take this squad to the next level is an experienced, quality box to box midfielder to manage the tempo and link our lines. Imagine a Milan Duric style player in this squad alongside Nizz, with Ballard/Steele off the bench.

Spot on, no depth in midfield and I feel it will be similar to last year where we will be regularly dominated in the mids and keep giving away easy possession. Just like the Aust Cup game. Marco will be a huge loss up front, those who didn’t rate are about to find out how valuable he was to our young team.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Hopefully out triallist will be signed and confirm the talent that CCU watchers know he has.
Still need 1 more though

 

[scottmac]

Kelechi will surprise.

Dan has first dibs as his partner, and with Triantis and Windust in reserve we are fine.
We have a tonne of quality in the front 3rd as well, we will have one heck of an impactful bench late in games.

Our glaring issue right now is midfield. If nizz/Ballard get injured we are cooked. We have had issues transitioning from back third to front third with our current system, and losing one of these players will kill us,

our desperate need to take this squad to the next level is an experienced, quality box to box midfielder to manage the tempo and link our lines. Imagine a Milan Duric style player in this squad alongside Nizz, with Ballard/Steele off the bench.

Yeah, I think that by giving Dan the chance to own the defensive line (which is a very Mariners thing to do) we have the ability and luxury to obtain a midfielder that owns the field between the two boxes and maybe has the skill to enter the final third.......
I'm thinking the type of player that frees Nisbet to roam and harass and spend time delivering and receiving balls to and from our amazing front third.

 

[Ironbark]

I think Dan and John will be our starting CBs and from the little I've seen will do well together

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

Zach Thomas' trial had ended:

Zach Thomas is back as Maitland Magpies try to defend top spot

Maitland have regained back-line enforcer Zach Thomas from suspension, and a trial with A-League club Central Coast Mariners,...

www.maitlandmercury.com.au

 

[turbo]

I don't believe he has to win a spot. I believe he's already won it.

I would have been more comfortable with that before his absolute stinker of a game against Sydney. Yes it's one game but if it turns into a patch for whatever reason we dont really have the depth to accommodate it.

Overall considering we have a new owner and supposedly more cash now I'm not terribly happy with the squad we've put together. If others maintain or strengthen we could easily find ourselves fighting in the bottom half of the table. That'll put a dent in the crowd KPI.

 

[Michael]

Zach Thomas' trial had ended:

Zach Thomas is back as Maitland Magpies try to defend top spot

Maitland have regained back-line enforcer Zach Thomas from suspension, and a trial with A-League club Central Coast Mariners,...

www.maitlandmercury.com.au

I don’t think it was ever a chance of being signed tbh. I mean, when would he have played? I’ve seen him play abit over the last couple years. Not really a major stand out consistently in newy NPL. Pretty strange he was on trial.

 

[Rising Sun]

Overall considering we have a new owner and supposedly more cash now I'm not terribly happy with the squad we've put together. If others maintain or strengthen we could easily find ourselves fighting in the bottom half of the table. That'll put a dent in the crowd KPI.

Certainly doesn't feel like there has been any uplift in investment in the squad spend. I honestly thought we had the budget for the 2nd coming of Patty Z for the visa CB - somebody of real quality and experience.

Not saying I am unhappy with the squad - including Kerechi, plenty of exciting prospects and a coaching team that can get the best out of them. But it does feel like recruitment has been heavily weighted towards "transfer revenue" KPIs, and a missed opportunity to hit some footballing KPIs (such as being a genuine contender) and getting a more balanced squad by adding an experienced quality player (at CB or DM)

 

[Drew]

Certainly doesn't feel like there has been any uplift in investment in the squad spend. I honestly thought we had the budget for the 2nd coming of Patty Z for the visa CB - somebody of real quality and experience.

Not saying I am unhappy with the squad - including Kerechi, plenty of exciting prospects and a coaching team that can get the best out of them. But it does feel like recruitment has been heavily weighted towards "transfer revenue" KPIs, and a missed opportunity to hit some footballing KPIs (such as being a genuine contender) and getting a more balanced squad by adding an experienced quality player (at CB or DM)

I would say a fair chunk of that budget would have gone to vuka, but I agree we definitely still need experience, in particular in cm, can’t fully rely on niz Ballard Steele in midfield, because they’re young and still developing so they need an older head to help them, and also if one of them gets a long term injury then we’re almost stuffed,

 

[FFC Mariner]

I worry about that 1 player with the creative edge to break open a tight game. Marco could be relied upon for that and big ask for someone to step up.
Also we lack depth at CM

 

[Tevor]

I would say a fair chunk of that budget would have gone to vuka, but I agree we definitely still need experience, in particular in cm, can’t fully rely on niz Ballard Steele in midfield, because they’re young and still developing so they need an older head to help them, and also if one of them gets a long term injury then we’re almost stuffed,

This is already a problem, Niz still not in full training and by accounts from the weekend Steele was in a leg brace. This area of the pitch definitely needs reinforcements and it is where matches are won and lost. A great front third is not as effective if they don't get good ball as we are all well aware. I like some feel a little worried with the current squad and the ins and outs this off season.

 

[turbo]

But it does feel like recruitment has been heavily weighted towards "transfer revenue" KPIs

It's hard to be a selling club if you're getting decent results. Might get the odd break out player but not a consistent production line.

 

[Michael]

I worry about that 1 player with the creative edge to break open a tight game. Marco could be relied upon for that and big ask for someone to step up.
Also we lack depth at CM

You’re not wrong about the lack of a genuine creative player, our central midfield is more based around work rate and doing basics well.

but Marco was hardly a consistent source of creativity.

 

[samster]

I worry about that 1 player with the creative edge to break open a tight game. Marco could be relied upon for that and big ask for someone to step up.
Also we lack depth at CM

I am hoping Balard can step up, had some great games towards the end of last season where he played some great passes and was able to dribble past the midfield, just needs to make it more consistent

 

[midfielder]

DDS was our creative player and when he left Cy was the creative replacement ...

Nizzy stepped up to the plate but more as a running 8 not a creative 10....

The balancing for Monty is do I have 1 striker, two wide mids, a creative 10, and two running 8 ... with Balard dropping into more the 6 than 8 running.

Or play two strikers, with one playing as a false 9 to play the creative 10 role...

BTW the wide mids Paul & Nicko, can score, attack and create ..

 

[Forum Phoenix]

I worry about that 1 player with the creative edge to break open a tight game. Marco could be relied upon for that and big ask for someone to step up.
Also we lack depth at CM

My big fear too. a creative player that even when teams are aggressive, more confident or even outplaying us, still has the mentality and ability to defy them in the middle of the park and make things happen for us.