Mariners Squad - HAL 12 - 2016 - 2017

[Rowdy]

Yes, Austin & Ferreira were prime examples of:
"that it's what you do with-out the ball that's just as or even more important than what you do with-it"

2 players with pace that could've profitted from turn-overs in the front thitd IF only they had of bothered putting in a bit of work in defence in and around that area.

I couldnt believe how highly some on here held Fab last season, yes he started brightly, but he fell into Austins bottomless pit of self worth as an 'out'n'out attacker'.

More often than not Fab preferred to play with a defender on his back & try and roll off their shoulder with a flick when played to his feet, he hugged the sideline and dribbled at defenders too much leaving himself nowhere to go and 9 times out of 10 lost the ball.

He played his best football utillising team mates- in triangles, passing and making third man runs to get in behind or better yet drift inside where I think he's much more dangerous to opponents.

But that requires a RB to push further forward, & our shoddy defence/pressure from it - held that back quite a bit, even more so when Ascroft was stupidly deployed there.

I hope Okon puts a rocket up Ferreira this year on all of the above, he's on too much coin to personally have another season like last. Otherwise he can jog on imo.

 

[finally retired]

what I really like this week is the optimism I am reading on the forum.....there wasn't any of that around prior to our new manager announcement, and while most other fan forums are underwhelmed we seem much happier than we have at any time in the last 3 years....Hopefully we won't be disappointed again this season, but I feel very positive that we won't win the spoon again in this coming season.

 

[Holy]

I don't think will be even that ambitious, Dibo, with the textbook 4-3-3, I think he'll need to go with a 4-4-2 straight up, for at least the 1st few games. Grind out a few tough draws or jag a win, especially being away from home so much in the early rounds, then look to going to the textbook 4-3-3 once our confidence in defence grows.

The squad acquisitions thus far certainly point to a 4-4-2 that I think TW and Hutch were heading. Bed down our defensive structures, which hopefully instills confidence in those young guys from last year. Their head space would be still fragile, especially after the GG loss.

Faty and Tavares will certainly go a long way to help in this area, there was nothing wrong with Syd FC defence of which they were an important part, until they fell out with GA. They will also take weight off Monty shoulders who in my opinion tried too hard last year to carry the team.

Forget the No. 10 at this stage, we really need another experienced CB desperately, really we need 2 x CB's. Something happens to Faty and we are back to Harry / Mcging or Posco none of which are CB.

I think I read somewhere that Shaun had mentioned we are looking for one. As I said, I think it should be 2, an experienced one to go straight into the starting 11 alongside Faty and a kid (as identified by PO as a unearthed prospect) {A Sainsbury type who could learn their trade of Faty similar to Sainsbury learning off Dutchie}. Faty is only on a 1 year deal, so we need to make the most of his experience to hone the skills of a proper CB kid.

Posco, would be, as Wombat said, the ideal RB in lieu of stormy rather than being relied on as a CB.

Which leaves me with Harry and Mcging. I'd go with Harry in the mids alongside Monty, especially whilst Junior is away. I too, played close attention to the Mel City game Rowdy mentioned. I like watching Mooy play, and Harry never gave him an inch that night. I came away thinking that was a poor game from Mooy, until I watched the replay and realised Harry was all over him like a rash and didn't allow him to do what he wanted.

I haven't been that impressed with Mcging, and I'm not sure where he fits given we do have an oversupply of DM. So I'd off load Mcging for a good kid CB as I mentioned.

Rowdy is also right about Fab, and I reckon he'd be the most nervous with the new coach. He really needs to pass / receive more and make more runs inside than continually going down the side line.

Junior is the golden goose that should be fattened up for sale with a view of replacing him with a good no. 10. As sorry as it would be to see him go, it's the only way I can see we would be able to afford one.

I agree with Rowdy, PO will be so much more up for it tactically than TW, and I can't wait to see what he does.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Agree. Okon has a plan, he clearly wants to succeed and knows this is his shot. No doubt he cares and is motivated. Also crucially for mine, he's not making excuses. That inspires confidence.

I'm not a hater, but I just don't see the argument for a 442 as strongly. In the modern game you get too easily outnumbered/overwhelmed in the mids. Harder to keep possession, so seems unlikely given what Okon is saying and as Dibo has highlighted re national curriculum. Nor do I actually think our current squad strengths best suit this formation. Interested why you think this best suits our squad Holy? Primarily to see Powell and Roy upfront together?

Disagree Posc is not a CB Holy. I prefer him at CB - he reminds me of Vidic. Good pace, fearless, tireless, strong and physical, good vertical leap and always competes well. Give him time to settle there with a keeper who has a clue about organising and someone taller alongside, and he could be one of the leagues best - I hope Okon goes back and looks at the last two years. He was clearly one of our only shining lights.

Ascroft man marked Mooy exceptionally well that game- till around 70 mins. He's a good athlete, with a decent temperament and work ethic also, but he lacks the technical skills to be able to keep the ball that Okon is talking about. So he'd be mad to start him over Taveres or Rose imo. I think Tav & Monty with Rose coming off the bench is the most likely unless Okon thinks there legs won't get the job done that he's after.

 

[Holy]

I agree FP that Posco was one of our shinning lights from last year, but as Shaun had indicated we are looking for a CB, and if we happen to get an experienced starting CB, then my point is I wouldn't leave Posco out of the back 4 starting 11 and whilst you disagree, I still think he is a better RB than CB.

Neither am I suggesting that Harry would be in starting 11 if junior was available, I was just picking up on the discussion on whether we would keep him and Mcging, FWIW I would keep Harry but not as a CB, but as a DM based on potential I saw in him in that Mel City game. Can't say the same for McGing.

And Harry not the only one that will need to improve his technical skills to keep and move the ball as PO is suggesting.

For me, FP, I'm thinking a 442 best suits us initially really to put 8 players in front of the opposition to shore up our defence right across the whole width of the field. Given where and how we finished last year, I think most teams will come into games against us being overly aggressive in attack.

Given the fact we don't have a CAM, Yes I also think ROD will benefit by having Powell alongside him working together upfront in close support.

The other reason is that we have had so much upheaval, an easy to understand and follow 442 plan doesn't have the complexities of the positioning / passing / running angles of other formations. I'm probably being over cautious, but working on the KISS principle to get the team confidence back to a level where implementing a passing / possession game plan that PO is indicating has a better chance of working.

I'm really excited that we have a coach that is so up to date with the National Curriculum and more importantly will instill it in our team, I just can't see it happening to begin with. But as the season progresses, I'm sure he'll mold us into his style.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

I agree FP that Posco was one of our shinning lights from last year, but as Shaun had indicated we are looking for a CB, and if we happen to get an experienced starting CB, then my point is I wouldn't leave Posco out of the back 4 starting 11 and whilst you disagree, I still think he is a better RB than CB.

Neither am I suggesting that Harry would be in starting 11 if junior was available, I was just picking up on the discussion on whether we would keep him and Mcging, FWIW I would keep Harry but not as a CB, but as a DM based on potential I saw in him in that Mel City game. Can't say the same for McGing.

And Harry not the only one that will need to improve his technical skills to keep and move the ball as PO is suggesting.

For me, FP, I'm thinking a 442 best suits us initially really to put 8 players in front of the opposition to shore up our defence right across the whole width of the field. Given where and how we finished last year, I think most teams will come into games against us being overly aggressive in attack.

Given the fact we don't have a CAM, Yes I also think ROD will benefit by having Powell alongside him working together upfront in close support.

The other reason is that we have had so much upheaval, an easy to understand and follow 442 plan doesn't have the complexities of the positioning / passing / running angles of other formations. I'm probably being over cautious, but working on the KISS principle to get the team confidence back to a level where implementing a passing / possession game plan that PO is indicating has a better chance of working.

I'm really excited that we have a coach that is so up to date with the National Curriculum and more importantly will instill it in our team, I just can't see it happening to begin with. But as the season progresses, I'm sure he'll mold us into his style.

Agree with most of that holy. Good discourse - thanks.

Re keeping posc in if we get a better CB i mostly feel the same way, but as an RB it does depend how we want to play, much as i like Posc, storm does clearly offer more in attack. Though im personally also feeling a bit inclined towards conservatism after the last two years like yourself - and this leads back to the 442 didcussion and your views - from what he has said, im 90% sure Okon is not thinking this way.

He may shift us back into 442 in defense as Dibo has mentioned - but i dont think so. We'll see.

I think our biggest issue defensively last year - besides inexperienced kids against men which was ludicrous and never going to end well - as well as unforced errors/turn overs also symptomstic of our youth and squad strength - was that we consistency lost the midfield battle. We couldnt keep the ball, and were only slightly better at winning it.

I think we will be going after the midfield hard this year - and maybe much more proactive in defense than in all honesty we may ever have. Sounds like we're going to press hard and fast and force turn overs - which i love - so while i agree with Dibo that we need versatility tactically, and appreciate your point re simplicity - i really doubt thats on the cards.

 

[Big Al]

I think there will be a big turn over during the year. Players like McGing are not possession players.

Expect some disappointed players at some stage during the year.

I think it's pretty clear those who can't play how PO wants will go and he will get players that can. He won't play to suit the cattle. If you can't play his way then go to Newcastle

 

[Shaun Mielekamp]

FYI, we played a 4-2-3-1 in Canberra both games.

 

[All in]

FYI, we played a 4-2-3-1 in Canberra both games.

Who was our "10" in each game? How did the young guys on trial perform?

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Thanks Shaun! That's the kind of info we love most!

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Who was our "10" in each game? How did the young guys on trial perform?

10 or false 9?

 

[Wombat]

Who was our "10" in each game? How did the young guys on trial perform?

Yeah agree with FP.
I think we will play Powell as a false 9.
i dont think we will have a 10 until Jan when MC freaks out about the fact he has been a dickhead for 5 months?!?

 

[MagpieMariner]

Maybe MC is waiting until Monty & Fab have their citizenship so we have visa space for an overseas 10.

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

How many squad places do we have left? We obviously need at least a another versatile defender and possibly a 10. Mate Dugandzic and Iain Ramsay are looking for A-League contracts could offer some decent competition and cover if we have the space. Ramsay also played left back for Heart for a while though was fairly terrible but could be another option for the left side.

 

[localpom]

How many squad places do we have left? We obviously need at least a another versatile defender and possibly a 10. Mate Dugandzic and Iain Ramsay are looking for A-League contracts could offer some decent competition and cover if we have the space. Ramsay also played left back for Heart for a while though was fairly terrible but could be another option for the left side.

I would have thought we have a couple. Wasn't the whole point of moving Rosey to MC to free up space? Perhaps to give Paolo an option to sign someone if he sees fit. I think maybe Luke Giverin is in the picture though would be waiting on a visa spot. There was talk of Topor Stanley getting moved on from WSW but that has gone cold. Dugandzic would be good.

 

[dibo]

Given that Okon has had a squad lumped on him, I imagine that the first few rounds this year are going to be about sorting the wheat from the chaff.

I reckon there are about 18 players currently contracted whose deals run out this year:

1. Adelson
2. Appiah-Kubi
3. Bingham
4. Buhagiar
5. Faty
6. Ferreira
7. Fletcher
8. Izzo
9. McDonald
10. Montgomery
11. Necevski
12. Neill
13. O’Donovan
14. Pain
15. Poscoliero
16. Rose
17. Roux
18. Tavares

These guys are going to have to show why they're worth keeping on. There are a few in there who probably start the season with question marks over them straight away.

Monty is going to be critical. As our captain and our longest serving player, it's now up to him to build a culture within the squad that we are about pulling together, working as a team and showing that the Mariners family stands up for one another.

By January, I reckon we're going to know pretty well who's staying and who's going. Some players might take the chance to 'pursue other opportunities' at that point, and Okon can get cracking on shaping his squad, his way.

 

[Gratis]

Given that Okon has had a squad lumped on him, I imagine that the first few rounds this year are going to be about sorting the wheat from the chaff.

I reckon there are about 18 players currently contracted whose deals run out this year:

1. Adelson
2. Appiah-Kubi
3. Bingham
4. Buhagiar
5. Faty
6. Ferreira
7. Fletcher
8. Izzo
9. McDonald
10. Montgomery
11. Necevski
12. Neill
13. O’Donovan
14. Pain
15. Poscoliero
16. Rose
17. Roux
18. Tavares

These guys are going to have to show why they're worth keeping on. There are a few in there who probably start the season with question marks over them straight away.

Monty is going to be critical. As our captain and our longest serving player, it's now up to him to build a culture within the squad that we are about pulling together, working as a team and showing that the Mariners family stands up for one another.

By January, I reckon we're going to know pretty well who's staying and who's going. Some players might take the chance to 'pursue other opportunities' at that point, and Okon can get cracking on shaping his squad, his way.

Not so long ago I was concerned about having so many players due to end contracts at the same time. With a new coach I now see this as a blessing, as well as the timing.

 

[pjennings]

I suspect that roughly half will not be renewed with some going in January. Paul will be judging these players against players he knows can play the way he wants them to. The guys will need top perform if they want to be here next season.

 

[nebakke]

Given that Okon has had a squad lumped on him, I imagine that the first few rounds this year are going to be about sorting the wheat from the chaff.

I reckon there are about 18 players currently contracted whose deals run out this year:

1. Pain

Wasn't pain signed till the end of 17/18?

 

[dibo]

So he was.