Mariners Squad - HAL 12 - 2016 - 2017

[Wombat]

Match day squad of
Nevcevski
Roux, Posco, Faty, Rose
Fabio, Tavares, Monty, Pain
Powell, O'Donovan
subs: Rose, Ascroft, Neill, Bingham/Buhagier, Izzo
looks a lot more solid and threatening than last season.
Could have been better but still has some squad depth.

Back 5 looks a bit lightweight still but its better than last year and the midfield looks much stronger.
That is a decent side and i'm tipping Budgie to be a super sub.
I also think Appiah is not a bad player, no worse than Bitch Austin or Fitzy.

 

[owenmcleod12]

The appiah signing makes me feel fab may leave and appiah might be a replacement

 

[Wombat]

Why?

 

[owenmcleod12]

Why?

Because otherwise we just have too many attacking players in the sqaud. Roy fab pain bingham powell trent and now appiah

 

[nebakke]

I would change Rose for Neil....

Neil with Faty alongside him giving instructions and directing him around should be good for his game. Thats something we have not had for a while Bonsar was kinda OK at it... Dutchie was brilliant at guiding the backs ... also Nevcevski should [he says hopefully] be better as a keeper in guiding the backs.

Yeah - after last season, I'm afraid Rosie's past it as a first-11 player... Speed just isn't quite there anymore. For better or for worse, I think our best option is Neil at the back with someone experienced next to him as a guide... I think he showed enough improvement last season that he could come real good this season.

Rosie should clearly be on the bench though, as he helps provide cover for the entire defence as well as the LW. Like having 4 decent players to change in.

 

[Wombat]

Because otherwise we just have too many attacking players in the sqaud. Roy fab pain bingham powell trent and now appiah

Is this a wind up?

 

[Rowdy]

Because otherwise we just have too many attacking players in the sqaud. Roy fab pain bingham powell trent and now appiah

You left out Fletcher as well, but still can't see any merit in your suggestion that Fab is on the way out though.

As it is, Kubbi is apparently only a 'short-term' contract:

 

[Rowdy]

Appiah in Central Coast homecoming:

Former youth product Kwabena Appiah has returned home to the Central Coast after stints at Western Sydney and Wellington Phoenix.

“It feels really good to be back, everyone has welcomed me with open arms,” Appiah said.

“It’s very different to when I was here [in 2011], the set up is incredible and it actually took my breath away, it’s a very professional environment.

“Tony Walmsley was the one that took me from playing in the State League and I ended up in the Mariners youth team, he’s helped me a lot and I am forever grateful for the opportunity he gave me back then and the opportunity he is giving me now.

Appiah had been keen on a return to the Central Coast for some time but it has only now eventuated.

“I wanted this reunion earlier but I’ve been elsewhere and at the end of the day I am finally back here which feels unreal," Appiah said.

“Tony, Hutch and the rest of the staff have been fantastic and I will do everything that I can to repay that faith.

“After winning the Youth League with the Mariners back in 2012 with an incredible team I was faced with a tough decision. Staying with the Mariners or going back as one of the first signings for Western Sydney Wanderers, which was an opportunity, that I couldn’t refuse.

“To be honest, when I left Western Sydney there was only one A-League club I wanted to go to and that was the Central Coast and at the moment I am finally where I want to be.

“My goals for this season are to do well in pre-season, earn that chance, cement a spot in the starting XI and finally score some A-League goals."

Despite a rough start to his A-League career, Walmsley is confident that he can turn it around at the Mariners.

“Kwabena has a lot of experience for a young player, including being voted player of the ACL campaign for the Wanderers in 2014 when they were crowned Champions of Asia,” Walmsley said.

“We are confident that this is a perfect environment for him to fulfil his potential. He is ambitious and always wanted to play for the Central Coast Mariners and his recent contribution as a trilaist has warranted him with a short-term contract.

“He had a very good trial period, fits our attacking philosophy with outstanding physical attributes and holds a desire to refine his game.

 

[Rowdy]

At a guess, maybe a re-evaluation of Kubbi in the Jan transfer window for a new deal to be tabled &/or possible Marquee perhaps ???

 

[Rowdy]

You'll notice in the following article that they talk up the fact that Powell has signed with us on a 2 year deal BUT when the article turns to news of signing Kwabena
...... length of contract NOT mentioned at all.

 

[Rowdy]

Mariners sign Appiah and Powell to bolster attacking stocks:

Central Coast Mariners have signed two speedy young attackers with former Youth League player Kwabena Appiah and ex-Wellington Phoenix striker Blake Powell joining the club.

The Mariners confirmed the signings on Thursday with Powell coming via Wellington and Sydney FC on a two-season deal, while Appiah returns to the club he won the National Youth League (NYL) with back in 2011.

Powell secured a release from the Phoenix earlier this month to facilitate a move back to NSW to be closer to his family and will now join last year's wooden spooners in Gosford.

The 25 year-old has scored 12 goals in 42 career A-League appearances, including a four-goal haul against Western Sydney Wanderers last season that included the second-fastest hat-trick in A-League history.

"Blake is a hard worker; has great pace and makes smart forward runs," Mariners coach Tony Walmsley said.

"He has proved himself to be a goal scorer at both Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix and gives us a point of difference as a second striker or number 10.

"When we heard he had returned to NSW for family reasons and had been released by Wellington it made sense to make an approach and I'm delighted to be able to add him to our attacking options for the next two seasons."

Appiah, 24, returns to the club from the Phoenix, and the Western Sydney foundation player is looking to get his career back on track.

"My goals for this season are to do well in pre-season, earn that chance, cement a spot in the starting XI and finally score some A-League goals," Appiah said.

Appiah was previously recruited by the Mariners in 2011 as a 19 year-old, where won the NYL in 2011-2012, playing alongside the likes of current Australia star Tom Rogic, and Anthony Caceres, Mitch Duke and Bernie Ibini.

 

[Gratis]

Regarding the contract length:
"Kwabena Appiah has signed a one-year-deal with the Central Coast Mariners that will see him remain at the club until at least the end of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 campaign." - from the members email

I have a good feeling about Appiah and think/hope he'll pleasantly surprise

For the record this is based on guy feeling alone

 

[pjennings]

Given Storm's and Adelson's injuries it was interesting to see Trent play at RB behind Appiah the other night in the second game. While I'm not really sure of his defensive capabilities I cannot think of a faster RB/RW combination

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Trent at RB? So normal to see attackers converted into backs now in the modern game.

 

[Luca Brasi]

I would change Rose for Neil....

Dont disagree with this, I was just putting more value on experience. Rosey has lost a yard of pace and is vulnerable to the high ball on the far post, I still hope he can finish his contract with a big season.

“To be honest, when I left Western Sydney there was only one A-League club I wanted to go to and that was the Central Coast and at the moment I am finally where I want to be.

He was trialing with the scum before going to WP.

The appiah signing makes me feel fab may leave and appiah might be a replacement

Fab wanting out was a persistent rumour over the off season, from appearances at member/club functions he seems happy.

Given Storm's and Adelson's injuries it was interesting to see Trent play at RB behind Appiah the other night in the second game.

If Storm isnt right to go by October then I would rather see Posco at RB and bring Ascroft into the middle.

 

[localpom]

Regarding the contract length:
"Kwabena Appiah has signed a one-year-deal with the Central Coast Mariners that will see him remain at the club until at least the end of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 campaign." - from the members email

I have a good feeling about Appiah and think/hope he'll pleasantly surprise

For the record this is based on guy feeling alone

People forget he has played in an A league final, and an ACL final. He has gone backwards a bit since showing a lot of promise a few years back, if we can get the best out of him he could be a great asset for us. What he needs at his age is regular game time, can see him as an impact sub and hopefully will be pushing both Fab and Pain. We need competition for places.

 

[dibo]

Fab wanting out was a persistent rumour over the off season, from appearances at member/club functions he seems happy.

He might be looking at the balance of the squad and going "you know what, it has improved. I might stick around and see how we go"

 

[Rowdy]

If Storm isnt right to go by October then I would rather see Posco at RB and bring Ascroft into the middle.

Totally agree with Posco at RB in lieu of Stormy returning.

Ascroft or McGing to CB, but feel that this situation just shows that Shane Cansdell Sherriff would of been a great pick-up to cover for this scenario.

I think some are forgetting that we released x2 CB's - Bosnar and Uskok, but only replaced one of them
....... with Jaques Faty.

I think another CB is required, as it might just bite us in the arse sometime during the season with suspensions & injuries and more significantly - 'poor form' by any player assigned to either of the CB spots.

Think back to Zac Anderson the season before alongside Bosnar, Posco (who was killing it at RB) was shuffled inside for a shite Ando and subsequently Storm was re-instated- (who had been benched for poor form initially giving Posco his chance to shine).

Then add in Bosnar being benched for weeks, (shite + attitude) with Rosey thrown in at CB. Eddy who then sometimes was not even on the bench, before finally being brought back in as a last resort to rectify the mess at the back - remember Eddy's "get THAT up you !!" goal celebration to Bay16

Mickey Neill, Matt Simm, Josh Rose on constant rotation at LB.

Who would of imagined such change could have occured in a back 4, the part of your team that generally is considered with words like 'stabillity'.

Former Melb.Victory CB, Giancarlo Gallifuoco is still yet to find a club & imo could provide us with a real safety net for the entire season and increase the depth within the squad overall as he also can play as a DM quite comfortably as well.

Why GG?
Well, I think he has a better Youth pedigree, is of a higher quality & physically stronger than both Ascroft & McGing.

GG: NSWIS/AIS/Tottenham/Swansea
HA: Syd Uni Yth/ VVVenlo (7)
JM: Marconi Yth/ WSW YL/Marconi NPL.

Additionally, Gallifuoco has had consistent representative appearances in the Olyroo's in the preceding years, with Ascroft getting just the one appearance & Jake not even considered.

Yes, some may argue Ascroft & McGing have more A-League games but that's purely because both HAarry & Jake had little - to no competition for those starts at CCM last season, especially after Bosnar was released.

Whereas Gallifuoco, he was up against Delpierre (hands down the best CB in the HAL 2015/16) and Thomas Deng - who's just gone on to Dutch giants PSV, a tough x2 CB's to be be up against to say the least.

If we can give a guy like Kwabena Appiah-Kubbi a contract, after failing to show anything of signifigance after playing 41 games at x2 different A-League clubs

....... then surely an Olyroo like Gallifuoco, whos yet to be given a chance to shine is worth a punt ???

 

[dibo]

Cansdell-Sheriff aside, with the players talked about as possibilities to sign that we haven't picked up, it's not necessarily the case that we have chosen not to sign them. We might not have the funds or they might not want to play for us.

That goes for Wilkinson, Vukovic, Covic, Gallifuoco, Holman, etc. The only player I'm absolutely sure we've had an option on and chosen not to take is Cansdell-Sherriff, and the next few weeks in NPL NSW 1 will bear out whether that's a good call. If it's not, we might still have a spot...

 

[Capt. Awesome]

Went searching for footage of Kwabena Appiah-Kubbi because I couldn't remember seeing him play.
This is the first video that came up