Mariners Squad - HAL 13 - 2017- 2018

[BrisRecky]

Hell! I don’t think Liam offers enough as a defensive mid and I’m a tactical moron, can’t imagine what Paulo thinks of him

 

[shipwreck]

I can't believe Liam Rose has gone from our poster boy that everyone was panicking would get snatched up by another club to the dude who gets lateral January transfers taking his bench spot.

 

[pjennings]

I think there are two parts to that. He played some of his best as CB and that play colours our past judgement of him. He hasn't been able to force himself into that position this season and has been used as a backup DM (his nominal best position but not where he has played for Okon at NT level). TBH while I like him as CB his size there worries me.

When we lose one of our two experienced European DMs Liam looks to be a step down (which he is). Give him the same experience in time he might not be.

 

[shipwreck]

How old was Sainsbury when he stepped up and became a stand out player?
I remember he had a few rocky games at the start but before long he was carving it up and looking overseas, literally.

 

[pjennings]

If we do want to keep Liam then we need to offer him something otherwise the contract will just run down. At the moment I think the best we could offer him is a long term contract and a loan to Everton or elsewhere OS. At least there he may play more often even if it was in the reserves. He needs to be playing and usually someone like the Mariners would be the right place. It isn't for him at the moment.

The lack of a reserves / longer NYL means there is little opportunity for those who aren't in the starting XI to get meaningful game time.

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

I like Jacob Melling and think is a good player with plenty of potential, watching him with Melbourne City in their first year he was very good. But he could have been signed at the end of the season if Paolo didn't think our current Defensive Midfielders were good enough, we desperately need a striker and a left winger to push Connor. We only have space to sign another player now if Harry Ascroft's trial in Malta is successful. With how we have been travelling we really do need another attacking player especially when Trent and Danny are in China and beyond.

 

[Big Al]

I can't believe Liam Rose has gone from our poster boy that everyone was panicking would get snatched up by another club to the dude who gets lateral January transfers taking his bench spot.

We didn’t have much before to be fair. It wasn’t that he was awesome it was the rest sucked.

However our problem was loosing guys around that 50 game mark after we got them there. If i were Liam I’d leave as the dutch duo aren’t going anywhere and coach just played DDS in there when it’s your turn.

Melling is obviously on a 6 month trial

 

[Holy]

I find it a strange signing. Although others have put forward good reasonings why they think Melling makes sense, I can't get my head around why we aren't looking for a proven goal scorer.

And I don't necessarily mean a striker, just a goal scorer. Someone like Fab, who you knew could or rely on scoring if given half a chance.

Asdrubal, Pain, Hoole, Appiah, our regular attacking front men, aren't even looking like scoring regularily.

Curently watching Smurfs V Jest and both sides attacking 3rd look like that could score at any time. Just 1 player like both of these teams have in their front 3rd, have would make a world of difference to our squad.

We just don't have one currently and its what we really need IMHO.

 

[Wombat]

Not a bad signing but not what we desperately needed.

 

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

Agree except for the bit about Fab

 

[Ozhammer]

I have always believed that Liam has the potential to play as a No.10 and now that Danny is away, perhaps it is time for Okon to see if he can fill what is arguably our biggest need. I know others on here will shoot this post down but he has the control, touch, vision and ability to create a bit of time and space for himself to arguably be more useful further forward.

I am also happy with Melling being signed as he has previously shown he has a good engine and can compete physically. I will admit to being a fan of him since his Adelaide days and think he could develop into a very good player, given a decent run of games. He has had a tendency to pick up silly cards in the past, so if he can rein that side of his game in, he could be a real asset.

I would still like to see Okon sign Mitch Malia, to give Pain some proper competition at LM. I get that he might be considered as NPL by some but the kid is hungry and managed to find the net in his brief stint at PGFC.

Not sure the club will look to sign another striker but it is arguably the biggest thing missing at the moment and unless Asdrubal or Powell can really step up, this will likely be another frustrating season.

 

[sydmariner]

iirc Malia was a striker when he was with our nyl squad.

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

Mallia would be a good signing if not now then at the end of the season, he is a winger who can accurately cross under pressure, something rare in the A-League let alone the NPL.

 

[midfielder]

Personally I would play Asdrubal as the 10 and Powell up from.....

 

[Ancient Mariner]

It is pretty clear to me that the one person who could play striker in the team is Hoole. He has all the attributes. He can hold the ball, he does not see team mates, he sees the ball has his name on it, and he can shoot. All he needs to learn is positioning.
Simples.

 

[Big Al]

The unforgotton DM 304 is Wales.

Another sign our kids aren’t cutting it under Paulo.

We don’t need Maila. We need a foreign LW of total quality. Doubtful this season but hopefully next.

 

[Ozhammer]

The unforgotton DM 304 is Wales.

Another sign our kids aren’t cutting it under Paulo.

We don’t need Maila. We need a foreign LW of total quality. Doubtful this season but hopefully next.

I am a fan of Lachie Wales but he is a right-sided player, so wouldn’t solve the LM issue.

Hopefully though he will get some game time whilst TBT is away, so we can see how far along his development path he has come.

 

[scottmac]

Shit signing. Adds nothing. Pissed off.

 

[Yoda]

The unforgotton DM 304 is Wales.

Wales is not a DM

 

[scottmac]

I don't think this says anything about Liam. I think Paolo is worried that while DDS is gone if we lose a cb or midfielder to injury or suspension then we are f**ked. Ashcroft off to Malta to trial and Melling in. Now that I know about Ashcroft this seems a straight swap.

Still doesn't add anything to the squad in the problem area of finishing chances.