Mariners Squad - HAL 11 - 2015/2016

[Rowdy]

Here's what 'kiwi' Stu Jacobs', CCM's former NYL Coach had to say in late Nov-2015 (only 11 mnths ago) about Adam Pearce after (according to the local rag in his hometown of Forster/Tuncurry) 'Pearce makes his debut' for CCM, ..... he made the bench! for Reddy who was out injured.

Great Lakes Advocate: (my folks live up there )

".... given Pearce’s age he still needs time but is shaping up to be a potential star.

“Adam is a long term project. He’s only 17 so we’ve got a bit of time to work with him. Hopefully in the next two or three years he’ll be ready for the A-league or by then we’ll at least have more of an idea of where he is at,” Jacobs said.

@ the time back then,

• Moss was still breathing
• Walmsley was TD
• & most IMPORTANTLY John Crawley hadn't been invited out for 'a beer' by Clarkie, then abducted in the night last seen heading south on the F3 in a 'sky-blue Hyundai !!!'

Fast-forward the 11mnths to now.
- With no JC to mould the next Vuka or Ryan, I'm thinking Walmsley might be having a 're-think' about Izzo in that he's not quite there yet as a guaranteed - can slot straight in replacement for Reddy if

• injured
• suspended (& we know he's good for that )
• a poor run of form (it does happen)
• retires to become a Fitness Industry Mogul.

I think Tony W. has made some astute - 'out-side the box' signings for this season. Which ever scenario, also think Oldfield would make a good signing with his pedigree combined with his potential.

Who knows, with Heffernan and himself maybe we'll get to sell a Pom and a Paddy back to the top-end of town in Europe for some of that Big OS Club Ca$h that were famous for .

 

[pjennings]

Reddy is #1 and performed well behind a leaky defence last season, Izzo is an Olyroo and has just arrived as #2 and to push/cover for the 1st team spot.
Adam Pearce is the up and coming NYL keeper, why would we sign a third senior keeper? Was the trial just a way to save an airfare or is Reddy leaving?

Sorry - but Adam will not make it.

 

[Luca Brasi]

I'll take your word for it, if that's the case we sign another youth keeper, still cant see why we would sign another senior keeper.

 

[localpom]

I'll take your word for it, if that's the case we sign another youth keeper, still cant see why we would sign another senior keeper.

Perhaps looking to the season after next ? Not sure if Reddy is contracted beyond the upcoming season.

 

[Rowdy]

..... still cant see why we would sign another senior keeper.

The "7 P's" perhaps?

Prior Planning & Preparation Prevents Piss-Poor Performances.

 

[Big Al]

Yeah I'd say no further contracts for Reddy. He has been great but getting closer to move on time.
Izzo to be sold in next two years needs to play to be sold.
New 24yr Irish to be Aussie always back up or take over after Izzo sold and Reddy retired.
Pearce to know his fate around 20-21yrs old.

CCM philosophy- get them young, play them, then sell them

 

[pjennings]

Oldfield would probably be fairly cheap, he will not be a visa player come January, Izzo will have a lot of commitments with the Olyroos this season, this may well be Reddy's last season, Pearce is not up to it.

If he seems half decent in the trials I suspect we will sign him.

 

[Rowdy]

Austin's inherited powers:



The son of an international rugby league player, and the grandson of a star sprinter, Central Coast Mariners' Mitch Austin has professionalism running through his blood.

Mitch Austin didn't know it at the time, but his upbringing as the son of a professional rugby league player who regularly travelled to take up opportunities helped prepare him for the often nomadic life of a pro football player.

And Austin, 24, has already done plenty of travelling and spent time at numerous clubs himself - including being loaned out to several clubs in one year from Cambridge United while he was playing in lower-tier English football.

But now he is at Central Coast Mariners, who faces the challenge of trying to lift after a disappointing eighth-placed finish last season, and he has impressed with his pre-season performances as a wide attacking player.

Austin's dad, Greg, played for numerous rugby league clubs in England, as well as Manly-Warringah in Sydney. He also played rugby union in Europe towards the end of his career. Greg's dad, Reg, was a famous professional sprinter who only recently passed away.

Mitch told The World Game that after signing with the Mariners and returning to Australia several months ago - he is staying with his parents in Sydney at this stage - he at least got the chance to see his grandfather again before he died.

"It was good to see him and he was happy that I'd come back and was able to spend a bit of time with him again," Austin said. "He passed away two months ago. He had a bad fall and hit his head and he wasn't able to recover."

Austin was born in England in 1991 while his parents were over there as Greg was at the height of his rugby league career. And having spent roughly two-thirds of his life in England he has a pronounced English accent.

"We moved all over the place while dad was playing," Austin said. "We were in England for quite a while, at different places, and towards the end of dad's career we went to Italy for two years and then we went straight from there to Ireland for another year.

"My sister and I were at different schools all the time. I'm sure it has helped me adapt to life moving around as a football player, because I haven't had a problem with any of that.

"Dad brought us back to Australia when I was about eight and when I went back to England at 17 I went on my own and I didn't get homesick or any of that sort of stuff.

"There were no Aussies where I was living in England. My good mates were all English, so I picked up the accent again pretty quickly. I'd lived in Ireland for a year through dad's rugby and apparently I picked up the Irish accent pretty quickly while I was there as well.

"Mum and dad are living in Sydney now and I'm there at the moment. I haven't been at home for eight years, so it's pretty good to spend time with them now. I'm one of a few players who car-share to the Central Coast from Sydney.

"The boys who are living in Sydney might look at moving up in a couple of months and cutting down on the travel time."

Austin signed for two years with Mariners and is keeping his options open regarding the future. He just wants to play and has always been prepared to go where his best chance to develop as a footballer might be.

"Managers didn't seem to want to give me a chance," Austin said of the time in 2014 when he was loaned out several times from Cambridge United.

"So I just tried to get to a club where I could play. I'll go anywhere to improve, rather than just sit on the bench. I was happy to go somewhere to play.

"I'm happy to be here at the Mariners and I'm aiming at making it a very good two years. We'll see what happens after that. The A-League is broadcast overseas, so people see you play. Loads of players have done well here and gone overseas as a result.

"I'd like to go back overseas at some stage. I've only just turned 24, so I'm still fairly young. You only need one good season and clubs will start looking at you."

Austin said he aimed to make an impact from the wing for Mariners by not only delivering dangerous balls into the box but also scoring a few more goals himself.

"I've played everywhere, really, the last couple of seasons in England," he said. "Left back, right wing, left wing and in the middle. But I'm playing on the wing here, which is where I want to be playing. I aim to making a few goals and scoring a few as well.

"While I was still over in England I wanted to improve that part of it the last few years, get some more goals. Hopefully the goals will come in the A-League.

"My dad's big into the gym and he convinced me to get in there the last couple of years. I go to the gym a fair bit now. A lot of the boys don't really do that, but I find it helps me to be strong.

"I'm up against defenders who are big and strong, so if I'm weak I'm going to get pushed off the ball. I feel confident in my ability to compete for the ball and hold on to possession when I get it."

 

[Rowdy]

Oldfield would probably be fairly cheap, he will not be a visa player come January .....

......If he seems half decent in the trials I suspect we will sign him.

Oldfield has already achieved a feat few goalkeepers manage in their careers.

Here's some footage of Chris Oldfield in action last month in an NPL elimination final against Melbourne Knights in August, the shot-stopper incredibly saved four penalties in a shootout win.

Absolute GUN Shot-Stopper!


If you want to see some more of Oldfield, he will be between the sticks next Tuesday nite in the FFA Cup clash for Hume City against Oakleigh Cannons.

 

[Rowdy]

This is the kid I wish we'd've signed .....

European clubs have their eye on Gallifuoco

View attachment 436
A number of English and Turkish clubs are targeting out of contract Australian midfielder Giancarlo Gallifuoco.

Gallifuoco, who is currently on Olyroos duty, has been released by Swansea City after joining them last year from Tottenham.

The 21-year-old has since been trialing with Bradford City and Millwall.

FourFourTwo understands those two clubs, along with other League One and League Two sides, are all interested in Gallifuoco.

It is believed two Turkish clubs are also keen on the former Spurs junior and will be watching him play for the Australian Under-23s.

The Olyroos take on Turkey in Istanbul and then Macedonia in Skopje in the coming days. The squad is currently preparing for the Asian qualifers in January for the Rio Olympics.

Gallifuoco, who can also play in central defence, is currently a free agent.

He captained Tottenham and Swansea Under-21's to league titles, and has played for Australia at Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 levels.

* Don't know if Walmsley had even approached him, he's been off contract for a while now. Could've got him for a decent price maybe, but NOT now.

We got 20 y.o Harry Ascroft instead WHO'S NOT in the Olyroo's! whereas 21 y.o Gallifuoco IS.

If Gallifuoco puts in a good performance for the current Olyroo's campaign his value will go up again.

Shame .... all his vids - he looked awesome as DM/CB. & solid as a brick'shithouse.

imo WE STILL NEED a quality CB.

he's being courted by English and Turkish clubs, what makes you think that he'd even look in our direction?
It takes a lot more than for a player to be 'on a free' - if it didn't, we'd have a LOT more big name players down here...

As I posted prev he has been without a club for nearly 3 mnths and the A-League could get him back in the spotlight playing week'in' w'out
& NOW ........

"Perth Glory have been linked with a move to bring England-based young Aussie duo James Demetriou and Giancarlo Gallifuoco to the A-League.

Striker Demetriou is on the books with Swansea City while centre back and midfielder Gallufiuoco (who also was with Swansea) is currently a free agent.

Gallifuoco, who was in Tottenham’s youth team with Massimo Luongo, was released by Swansea at the end of last season.

FourFourTwo understands the Glory have made enquiries about the pair joining them for the 2015/2016 season.

Gallifuoco is a 21-year-old Olyroo from Sydney who has also played for Australia at Under-17 and Under-20 level. The versatile player has trialled with Bradford City and Millwall in recent weeks."

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/glory-linked-uk-based-aussie-duo

I'm guessing the Turkish/English Club interest was agent hype.

Hope Ascroft is/becomes the goods as I think G.Gallifuoco IS a quality CB with versatillity as a big strong DM in the mould of a Jedinak style with great passing that could have been a great signing for us.

 

[Wombat]

Apparently Ashcroft is the goods.
I've only seen him play once and i saw loads of potential but also thought he needed to switch on to the speed of the HAL. Once he did (after 20 mins) he looked quite decent.
The game against the Scum should tell us a lot.

 

[Gratis]

Central Coast Mariners new approach to excite fans in A-League 2015-16 season

THE new A-League season is fast approaching and one side is quietly going about a footballing transformation.
Central Coast Mariners endured a disappointed campaign last season and their struggles led to a change of coach, but now they are expecting to unleash a fast paced brand of football to excite the fans.
“Pre-season has been really good,” new captain Nick Montgomery told foxsports.com.au. “Obviously it’s a long pre-season in the A-League but we’re at a good level to where we want to be moving towards the start of the new season.”

Montgomery has taken over the leadership role from John Hutchinson, who joins the staff of manager Tony Walmsley. And Walmsley, with a full pre-season under his belt, has been working on perfecting the high pressing, high tempo game promised at the end of the 2014-15 season.

“I think the main change for us has been to be as effective as possible as quickly as possible,” said Glen Trifiro, who has returned to training after suffering an injury early in pre-season. “If you can play forward you always try to play forward plus we want to win the ball higher up the park so the first pass can also be the final pass.
“Because we press high and we try to force turnovers high up the pitch, we’re closer to goal. So in a sense we’re a bit more direct compared to last year where, if we were a bit tight we’d try to keep the ball and try to build.”
That was an accusation levelled at the Mariners of old, where fans grew frustrated of their slow, methodical build up play which allowed opposition teams to get men behind the ball. Couple that with the continued loss of their best young stars, and things were going to be difficult.
Trifiro added: “I think that (fast, direct football) is what’s wanted of us (from the manager). It’s certainly what the fans want and based on what pre-season has been so far it’s about being direct and being quick.”
The Mariners have enjoyed a confidence-boosting run of friendlies after falling in the FFA Cup Round of 32 to Wellington Phoenix, beating Newcastle Jets, Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC. A run of five straight friendly wins ended on Thursday when they fell 3-0 to Melbourne Victory but new striker Roy O’Donovan has been getting in on the goals, exciting his new teammates.

“We’ve got a good attacking unit with lots of pace that can run at teams and hurt them,” said Montgomery. “And we’ve got a striker in Roy O’Donovan who’s a proven player and played at the highest level.”
Trifiro agrees, saying O’Donovan has been the stand out of the new recruits.
“The new boys have fitted in quite well and really quickly,” said the midfielder. “For me, Roy (O’Donovan) has been outstanding — he’s a great finisher and inside the box he’s very effective and makes good runs.
“And Mitchy Austin, Harry Ashcroft and the other guys have come in and are looking forward to Round 1.”

http://www.foxsports.com.au/footbal...e-2015-16-season/story-e6frf4gl-1227538763831

 

[midfielder]

After watching MV V AU last night the standard of play just keeps increasing in the A-League.

 

[Rowdy]

This is the kid I wish we'd've signed .....

European clubs have their eye on Gallifuoco


A number of English and Turkish clubs are targeting out of contract Australian midfielder Giancarlo Gallifuoco.


Gallifuoco, who is currently on Olyroos duty, has been released by Swansea City after joining them last year from Tottenham.


The 21-year-old has since been trialing with Bradford City and Millwall.


FourFourTwo understands those two clubs, along with other League One and League Two sides, are all interested in Gallifuoco.


It is believed two Turkish clubs are also keen on the former Spurs junior and will be watching him play for the Australian Under-23s.


The Olyroos take on Turkey in Istanbul and then Macedonia in Skopje in the coming days. The squad is currently preparing for the Asian qualifers in January for the Rio Olympics.


Gallifuoco, who can also play in central defence, is currently a free agent.


He captained Tottenham and Swansea Under-21's to league titles, and has played for Australia at Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 levels.


* Don't know if Walmsley had even approached him, he's been off contract for a while now. Could've got him for a decent price maybe, but NOT now.


We got 20 y.o Harry Ascroft instead WHO'S NOT in the Olyroo's! whereas 21 y.o Gallifuoco IS.


If Gallifuoco puts in a good performance for the current Olyroo's campaign his value will go up again.


Shame .... all his vids - he looked awesome as DM/CB. & solid as a brick'shithouse.


imo WE STILL NEED a quality CB.

..courted by English and Turkish clubs, what makes you think that he'd even look in our direction?

It takes a lot more than for a player to be 'on a free' - if it didn't, we'd have a LOT more big name players down here...

Perth Glory reached out to him expressing their interest. He said, nay.

Now Melb.Victory are set to sign Giancarlo Gallifuoco, who I think has the potential to make it big! as a CB &/or as a DM like Mile Jedinak was for us.

Damn it! was hoping no other HAL team snapped him (GG) up as ..........
WE STILL NEED ANOTHER CB imo.

Wet-dreams of Wilko won't eventuate until late January if even at all ???

 

[Rowdy]

McGing central to new Mariners style:



Central Coast Mariners can't match the financial resources or star power of some other A-League clubs, but defender Jake McGing said the side is not going to sit back and hope for the best.

Central Coast won the 2012-13 season grand final. It made the finals again the following year, but slipped to a disappointing eighth last season. Only a few players from those halcyon days under Graham Arnold are still at the club.

But the Mariners refuse to lie down and are planning to play their way out of last season's funk with a revamped line-up and playing style.

"Basically, we want to be a more entertaining team than last season," McGing said.

"That's our goal. We want to be more attacking in general and keep the ball a lot more. We want to be a bit more exciting.

"It's about being more attractive and finding the best way for this team to play to get results. Our main goal is to entertain our fans, play a style that gets people into the stadium, and we believe we've got the players who have the ability to do that."

McGing is 21 and is yet to play in an A-League game. He has a background in youth team football for Western Sydney Wanderers and then the Mariners. But he is going to have to be a major ingredient in any improvement by Central Coast.

McGing used to be a midfielder, but he has been switched to centre-back by coach Tony Walmsley and will be called upon to use his passing and skill on the ball to help get attacking moves started.

"A spot opened up in the central defence and the coaching staff thought it was the best position for me," McGing said.

"I didn't think I'd like it as much as I did. After all, no-one is supposed to like defending, but I actually love it.

"At the start it was a bit difficult, but once I found my groove it became a lot easier. I really enjoy it, it's awesome."

The Mariners used McGing at centre-back in the Central Coast FC side that plays in the NPL NSW Men's 2 competition during the winter, to start getting him used to the position.

He played there in Central Coast's most recent trial match resulted in a 1-0 loss to Newcastle Jets at Orange on Sunday.

"It's been mixed results during the pre-season, but in terms of the football we've been playing we're definitely on the right track with this more possession-based style," McGing said.

"It's a work in progress and we're definitely looking good for the start of the season, in my opinion.

"We're going to go in there with a different mindset this season and I'm confident we should be able to at least push for the finals, if not higher."

McGing said he was happy with his own form as he shapes up for what appears a likely A-League debut in round one.

"I played a full game against Newcastle. I've played a lot of games in the pre-season," he said.

"Most of the time it's been me and Eddy Bosnar in the central defence, but Harry Ascroft has been there at other times as well.

"I think I've been doing well in the games. I've had lots of positive feedback from the coach. But he's keeping all of us on our toes, so no-one really knows until we get to that first game who's going to play. But I think I'm in good stead for it."

 

[dibo]

If you're a decent passer of the ball, CB is a brilliant spot to basically be like a gridiron team's quarterback; you can be the one who's starting the attacks, shaping the play and picking the gaps to guide the team through. If you've got two skilful players there, it makes it awfully difficult for the opposing side to close you both down without going to a really high press. If you're used to playing in tight confines this isn't a huge problem. What's more, if your GK and FBs are switched on you can play your way out of the press and quickly counter.

Last year we had Anderson (who is not a good passer of the ball by any stretch of the imagination) and Bosnar (who can be, but for most of 2014/15 picked out the worst possible option as often as not). Consequently we didn't keep the ball long enough to be able to build attacks. To get around that, we slowed the play down so that we didn't rush and f**k it up, which simply allowed time for the opposition to get 10 behind the ball and then we still weren't going to score.

Two passing CBs means we can move the ball on quickly and it gives us a chance to be direct when we want to (with actual passes, not hoof and chase rubbish - Bosnar, I'm looking at you mate...) and gives our midfielders a chance to slice sides open when they want to. It also gives us the opportunity to slow the game down, drop the tempo and calm things down when we need to. Sometimes when the game is going a million miles an hour what we need isn't a goal, it's to drop the temperature and settle things down so we don't lose shape, get hit on the break and cop a stupid goal in a game we ought to be controlling.

 

[Rowdy]

Walmsley's revamped Mariners up for the challenge:



Central Coast coach Tony Walmsley admits preparation for the new A-League season has been challenging as he seeks to reshape and revamp the Mariners.

Walmsley was appointed caretaker head coach in March, after the departure of Phil Moss, and then permanently put in charge in April.

The Mariners struggled in the 2014/2015 season finishing eighth, missing the finals and playing a defensive brand of football. There was also discontent off the field over the move of fixtures to North Sydney.

But Walmsley is confident the club can improve on last season’s showing.

“The preparation has been challenging,” he told FourFourTwo.

“A new philosophy, new recruits and a playing style that puts demands on players to be independent and quick thinkers.

“Behind the scenes the club is working extensively to rebuild the community brand. There is no doubt the players are a big part of this and do an incredible amount of community engagement.”

There has been a mixture of results in pre-season for the Mariners with losses to Victory and the Jets, a defeat to Wellington in the FFA Cup, but also wins over both Sydney A-League sides and several National Premier League clubs, and Walmsley appears unconcerned.

“We also beat the Jets previously and Sydney FC, as well as scoring freely in a number of games against NPL teams,” he said.

“We performed poorly against the Jets in Orange, but there were some contributing factors, not least the third game in three days and extensive travel over the period. We're now freshening up towards October 10.”

The Mariners only scored 26 goals last season, the second lowest in the competition after Newcastle. The club has brought in Dan Heffernan, Roy O’Donovan and Mitch Austin to bolster its strike force.

“Dan brings a different attacking threat to the squad,” Walmsley said.

“He's a finisher, a target man and great in the air. He gives us the option of playing two through the middle and both he and Roy can help the development of Josh Bingham who has a blend of attributes.

“Both Fabio Ferreira and Roy are in good shape and offer a real attacking threat. Josh Rose has also excelled with some enthusiastic displays on the left wing and new recruit Mitch Austin adds pace and power.

“With (Anthony) Caceres pulling the strings and (Glen) Trifiro, (Nick) Fitzgerald and (Anthony) Kalik all likely to chip in with creativity we have the firepower to do well.”

Attendances were down at Central Coast Stadium last season but Walmsley believes positive football played by the club can help bring the crowds back.

“The football team has a big role to play here,” he said.

“A good performance and a result against Perth in Round 1 will set us up for a bumper crowd against Sydney FC in round four and the sky is the limit from there.”

 

[pjennings]

To be fair on Tony. I watched Dejan play a few times in the youth league and he looked nothing special. Maybe he was having an off year but even Slater looked better than him.

Going back to Dejan who is with Liam Rose and Adam Berry with the U19 team. I just read a write up of him in 442 Australia. He was released by Mossy to play with Manly before Tony got the gig. I would still like to see him back as a young player outside the squad size like Rose and Kalik were last year. He also looks to be the type of player that Tony and CCM are looking for - young, cheap - with potential for growth.

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

Little article about Mitch Austin being a "surprise packet":
Central Coast Mariners have had to be shrewd with their off-season recruitment, and in Mitch Austin it looks as if they have picked up a handy option up front.

The flyer started on the left wing of a front three and while Fabio Ferreira and Roy O’Donovan grabbed the goals, Austin looked dangerous, revelling in the spaces afforded by opponents Perth Glory.

Austin, 24, could have score on debut, only to be thwarted by Ante Covic, but was a constant outlet on the left flank — proving to epitomise the fast-paced, exciting style of play Tony Walmsley has advocated in pre-season.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/footbal...shone-in-round-1/story-e6frf4gl-1227567016318

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

Little Snippet about Fábio Ferreira from an SBS article:
Man of the hour (and a half)
Fabio Ferreira was dynamite for Central Coast Mariners in their win over Perth Glory.

He smashed two penalties past Glory goalkeeer Ante Covic and also set up his team's other goal with a shot that Covic could only deflect with his feet into the body of Mariners striker Roy O'Donvan. The rebound went straight in.

Taking penalties isn't easy, ask Wellington Phoenix, and when you're the penalty taker and you step up to the spot for the second time in a match you've got to decide whether to put the ball in the same place as you put it the first time or aim somewhere else.

Ferreira put it in the same place, he just hit the ball a bit harder and a bit higher into the back of the net. That's confidence.

"I’m very proud of the team, we play very good," Ferreira said. "I think we have a good team and I hope we can do well this season. I’ve been training a lot and I was confident in both the two penalties," Ferreira said.

"I’m happy with the two goals and I’m happy for us to start with a win."

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/arti...-round-1-hey-melbourne-people-your-turn-shine