Mariners Squad - HAL 14 - 2018- 2019 - The challenge for Mike Mulvey is over

[Michael]

I honestly don’t want us to sign anymore players, I’m completely happy and content with the squad now.
There’s quality just about everywhere, enough depth and more than enough competition for starting spots and most importantly tactial flexibility which should show Mulveys managerial nouse.

BK will make a few mistakes but we can only hope for consistency. And we can just hope that McGing and Millar’s battle for RB will improve both of them.
Our young boys, especially Kek’s, are so determined to make it in this game they should develop nicely over the course of the season.

Obviously injuries and suspension will hurt at certain points, but we should survive those with our depth. I’m more concerned about certain players spitting the dummy and unsettling the squad when they don’t get minutes. (Hoole, Pain)

 

[Scotty]

I honestly don’t want us to sign anymore players, I’m completely happy and content with the squad now.
There’s quality just about everywhere, enough depth and more than enough competition for starting spots and most importantly tactial flexibility which should show Mulveys managerial nouse.

BK will make a few mistakes but we can only hope for consistency. And we can just hope that McGing and Millar’s battle for RB will improve both of them.
Our young boys, especially Kek’s, are so determined to make it in this game they should develop nicely over the course of the season.

Obviously injuries and suspension will hurt at certain points, but we should survive those with our depth. I’m more concerned about certain players spitting the dummy and unsettling the squad when they don’t get minutes. (Hoole, Pain)

Yep, it's possible that the dummy spotters might want out during January if they don't get game time. Our recruitment has been spot on with the exception of RB and keeper. Maybe we can adjust well in January if there is any money left.

 

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/bolt-trial-drives-mariners-recruitment

 

[localpom]

Yep, it's possible that the dummy spotters might want out during January if they don't get game time. Our recruitment has been spot on with the exception of RB and keeper. Maybe we can adjust well in January if there is any money left.

This is where good management and mentoring comes in. If we get this right there should be little or no unrest. The way i see it the squad is pretty much broken up into 3 groups. I wouldn't have this quite right but something like -
The first 11 is fairly obvious with maybe a couple of exceptions which might depend on formation. BK, Cisse, Golec, Clisby, O'neill, Tommy H, Tommy Oar, Wee Mac, Ross, Matty should all play if fit, at least to start.
Then there are the players who will expect to challenge and be starting games when they get the opportunity, and will be in or around the bench - McGing, Hoole, Pain, Corey, Rowles, Aspro, Murray, Millar, Melling, Berry.....
The rest will be development players who will be hoping for a rare opportunity for minutes and to develop.
The most important thing is that there is a great culture, and that everyone knows their role and that they are important to the team. It must always be stressed to work hard and be ready as chances could come at any time. Players hate feeling on the outer as if they are getting frozen out.

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

I'm not so worried about BK, but if he gets injured. What then? We are pretty fragile then with GK's. We still don't have a specialist RB so that is a definite area of weakness.

Hopefully Charlesworth will spring for an injury replacement, the fact that injury replacements exists make it a rather bad idea to have more than two keepers.

 

[Josho Howe]

I am iffy on the GK situation, but a bit less iffy on the RB spot. Millar has shown some alright things. Big, strong and has good pace, can get up and down the wing well. I am very content with our side and l feel like it is the first time l have felt like this about the team for a while.

 

[pjennings]

I am iffy on the GK situation, but a bit less iffy on the RB spot. Millar has shown some alright things. Big, strong and has good pace, can get up and down the wing well. I am very content with our side and l feel like it is the first time l have felt like this about the team for a while.

I actually thought Millar got skinned repeatedly in defence against CCS. I suspect Jake will start in front of him.

 

[yorkshireman]

I actually thought Millar got skinned repeatedly in defence against CCS. I suspect Jake will start in front of him.

Totally agree, Millar was poor in possession, poor under slight pressure and his passing and tackling were appalling. He was my only major disappointment that night. (Bolt was exactly what I expected)

 

[pjennings]

This is where good management and mentoring comes in. If we get this right there should be little or no unrest. The way i see it the squad is pretty much broken up into 3 groups. I wouldn't have this quite right but something like -
The first 11 is fairly obvious with maybe a couple of exceptions which might depend on formation. BK, Cisse, Golec, Clisby, O'neill, Tommy H, Tommy Oar, Wee Mac, Ross, Matty should all play if fit, at least to start.
Then there are the players who will expect to challenge and be starting games when they get the opportunity, and will be in or around the bench - McGing, Hoole, Pain, Corey, Rowles, Aspro, Murray, Millar, Melling, Berry.....
The rest will be development players who will be hoping for a rare opportunity for minutes and to develop.
The most important thing is that there is a great culture, and that everyone knows their role and that they are important to the team. It must always be stressed to work hard and be ready as chances could come at any time. Players hate feeling on the outer as if they are getting frozen out.

The younger guys (Gauci, Pearce, Macdonald, Rowles, Aspropotamitis, Millar, O'Neill, Berry, Shabow, Kekeris & Murray) will either get some game time, be pushing for game time or be trying to learn as much as possible.

The 30 and older ( Kennedy, Cisse, Hiariej, McGlinchey, Simon & McCormack) will all get a lot of game time and should be no problem.

The ones you would think would be the problem are the 23 to 29 year olds (Clisby, Golec, McGing, Melling, Oar, Pain, Gamiero & Hoole). However, at least three of them are probably first XI and the rest will probably be in more game day squads than they miss.

 

[Wombat]

I actually thought Millar got skinned repeatedly in defence against CCS. I suspect Jake will start in front of him.

As a player that played 30+ Seasons in all spots across the back four I take my defence very seriously. Neither Millar or Jake are proper RBs.

Millar is better going forward. McGing is slightly better on the ball, especially under pressure.
Both are positionally suspect.

Work needs to be done but they both appear to be top lads.

 

[pjennings]

As a player that played 30+ Seasons in all spots across the back four I take my defence very seriously. Neither Millar or Jake are proper RBs.

Millar is better going forward. McGing is slightly better on the ball, especially under pressure.
Both are positionally suspect.

Work needs to be done but they both appear to be top lads.

I still wouldn't mind a real RB for them to learn from.

 

[Wombat]

Haven't seen one of them at BT for quite a few years.

Adelson looked like a real prospect but for his injuries.

 

[pjennings]

Haven't seen one of them at BT for quite a few years.

Adelson looked like a real prospect but for his injuries.

He is also another top lad. I hope he gets back to fitness and would love us to get him back.

 

[style_cafe]

I`ve been working too hard this week and just caught up reading the last 4 pages.
Bloody hell! This place is buzzing.
Fantastic signings with McCormack & Oar.
The signing of The Scotsman creates a real problem though..
We already have have a "Weemac", & MacDonald would have to take the title of "Big Mac",
then we have McGing who didn`t quite make nickname status last year and now we McCormack...we need more McNicknames!!

Also congratulations to MMM for the balanced recruitment effort,SM for getting the paperwork done & MC for having enough faith in the Coast and opening the purse strings.
Gentlemen....you`ve earned your stripes well and truly for the preseason....

 

[MagpieMariner]

Ross could be either McHaggis or McVillan.

 

[midfielder]

I`ve been working too hard this week and just caught up reading the last 4 pages.
Bloody hell! This place is buzzing.
Fantastic signings with McCormack & Oar.
The signing of The Scotsman creates a real problem though..
We already have have a "Weemac", & MacDonald would have to take the title of "Big Mac",
then we have McGing who didn`t quite make nickname status last year and now we McCormack...we need more McNicknames!!

Also congratulations to MMM for the balanced recruitment effort,SM for getting the paperwork done & MC for having enough faith in the Coast and opening the purse strings.
Gentlemen....you`ve earned your stripes well and truly for the preseason....

I'll give it a go.

weeMac keeps his name.
Ross becomes Big Mac
MacDonald becomes the Don
McGing becomes Happy Meal ... as he always seems happy and he should be happy he is still in the side

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Yes ......... but !!!
The squad is still made up of re-invented winners and hospital cases

The two Toms, Oneil, McCormack, Cisse, Simon, Weemac, Clisby, Golec, Pain, Hoole... That's 11 quality players... Exciting Youth in Kekeris and Murray... You're off your unicorn Offy.

 

[Scotty]

I actually thought Millar got skinned repeatedly in defence against CCS. I suspect Jake will start in front of him.

I was sitting on the Western side for that match and noted that he was easily beaten a few times in the first half. Put him up against A-league material and he will get found out quickly. If was an opposition coach, I would be sending my attack down his side.

Having said that, he certainly has good prospects and is young enough to learn. I can see him develop into a decent RB. If he is our starting RB early in the season, I suspect we are going to get embarrassed down that side.

 

[Offsider]

The two Toms, Oneil, McCormack, Cisse, Simon, Weemac, Clisby, Golec, Pain, Hoole... That's 11 quality players... Exciting Youth in Kekeris and Murray... You're off your unicorn Offy.

Fp you need to get yorself a unicorn or go into politics................ out of context !!! ............. you have raped my post .
Was my being positive too much.???

But ............ I’ll bite ............ I notice you don’t list a goal keeper ........... maybe you don’t think they are important enough for a good result. I think it is important to note that you don’t rate gamiero, who has not shown the game form post his injury, which adds credence to my worry that Golec and Aspro are yet to prove they are back to where they were pre injury and your crystal ball is not enough evidence that you can’t take the hospital aspect of my post with your grain of salt. Should we be so lucky that they do regain their pre injury form ............. I would add them to your list of quality players and credit mm’s astute business.
Simon and weemac ............. well simon was never a quality player in the context of Ross, fornaroli, riera, bobo etc who he appeared to be in the squad for to do their business as it were............ now his value appears to be as more as a mongrel / club culture mentor which is more appropriate. Yes he is scoring goals against lesser quality teams than a-league which says more about the quality of crossing than his ability to stay onside and head goals. Weemac is a definite “ has been “ that is looking to mm to revive his career and only time will tell if your crystal ball forecast fp on these two has any credit. Once again there is a mighty step up in quality he will need to perform against during the season............ but hey !!! he is doing well against the kids.

I can keep going because I know scottmac will look at the size of this post and ignore it .......... too much to comprehend sorting out my shit.

Cissee has yet to apply his trade against any real quality........... wsw pre their ffa cup game was no contest if not being able to get one past our woeful keepers to scoring two against melb city is anything to go by ???? The only thing separating him from faty2 is mm’s judgement which is probably good enough eh !!!.

Reading somewhere hoole’s stats .......... 49 crosses, no assists listed, 30 odd shots from memory and four goals and I can’t remember the offsides. Add that to his miserable efforts taking corners and the like and Your definition of quality is not the same as mine ........ pain suffered with service from hoole and desilva so my jury is out there.

I agree with kerkeris and murray, watching their progress adds flavour to the season ........ as does mm’s ability to kick along gamiero and oar....

 

[finally retired]

Fp you need to get yorself a unicorn or go into politics................ out of context !!! ............. you have raped my post .
Was my being positive too much.???

I think your forum name should be Shit-stirrer...not Offsider, Offy....
I don't think anyone on the forum is getting carried away with the results so far....as you say, it's all been against "lesser quality" (even the A-League opposition trials, are just trials). BUT....after the crap we've had the last few years, we are all hopeful that this season we won't finish in the bottom 4 and might actually win a reasonable percentage of games.All teams have recruited well it seems, so we could still finish at the bottom, but I am "daring to dream" that we won't. I'm going to renew my membership with just a little hope that this season WILL be better than last season.