Paul in or out no fence sitting

[finally retired]

The only positive is that it can't get any worse. Can it?

if only that were true

 

[Gratis]

,and despite the efforts of the promotional team, it is a chore to attend matches at the moment.

Ye. Up until mid season I have always been pumped on game day, now I just get a sense of quiet dread and expected disappointment. And that's going into it with low expectations.
I don't enjoy that and is why something needs to be done. I know we here have held out some of the longest too...the casuals, many casuals I know anyway,gave up some time ago

 

[pjennings]

Paulo in, but he needs the support of the owner to spend and improve the front third. He has made definite progress this year with recruitment, solidifying the spine. With improvement in the final third next year the team can be more than competitive. I said when he was hired, Year 1 he is hamstrung by the inherited squad, Year 2 the rebuild can begin and Year 3 is where he should be judged. Having said that, if he has already made the decision to leave to Sydney FC, let him go now.

I think you have just about summed up my thoughts especially in terms of recruitment. I do have concerns with his match day management in some of his selections and particularly his substitutions.

In spite of the fact that we still make stupid mistakes in defence - we now are making them at the same rate as a lot of the HAL - as opposed to twice the rate that we did previously. Next year if we keep Rowles and Golec I would like to see them with their roles reversed as they were in pre-season (in spite of Baro and Golec seeming to work well together. Golec has the engine that Rowles doesn't.

Okon still has a job to do next season - and he needs to be able to spend the cap (and more) next season. If he can't spend the cap next year he may as well go for his own good.

 

[BaysideMariner]

His one dimensional style this year needs to change. If he can learn to adapt then we can win with a better strike force. There is a good coach in there. He just needs to adjust his style to the situation.

 

[Wombat]

I'd say give Okon another year but piss Jolic off (i'm sure Monty would have alot more knowledge and experience than Jolic ) and bring in a hard arse ex pro like Ferguson was to Lawrie.

Okon improved us alot but he has also been very green at times. With a better squad i believe Okon will shine. He will have learnt alot from his mistakes this year.

 

[Big Al]

I just don’t understand for someone who has played overseas with quality coaches why he thinks this system and only this system is the way to go.

Also as a DM he has strengthed his area of the field but much like Popa doesn’t have the feel for attack

 

[style_cafe]

As I`ve said on here many times,I don`t like changing coaches mid-way through the season.
It` just doesn`t sit well with me.
In saying that,this round against the Nix is crunch round.
If PO can`t lift the team (when we are at full strength),then it`s never going to happen.
We`ve had our backs to the wall before but FFS this is the playoff for the spoon!
Anything other than a win, then for me it`s time to part company with him.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

I just don’t understand for someone who has played overseas with quality coaches why he thinks this system and only this system is the way to go.

Also as a DM he has strengthened his area of the field but much like Popa doesn’t have the feel for attack

This times 1000 for mine.

 

[Ozhammer]

My initial response is Okon out, for all the reasons I have mentioned on another thread and more besides.

That said, a big part of my issues with him are the fact that he doesn’t seem to want to take advice from those around him with the exception of Jolic, who is an absolute flog of a person. If only he had kept Hutch as assistant coach, the team would not now be needing to be reminded of our culture and history.

He also needs to allow Balder to do his job properly and get the team as fully prepared as they need to be, not dilute what he is trying to do.

He needs to recognise that he is learning his craft and accept the help and advice of people around him that are qualified to give it, only then will he be able to fulfil any potential he may have.

So, if nothing changes he needs to go BUT if Jolic goes and someone like Hutch or Monty comes in alongside him, I will give him another year to show he can learn and improve. There will obviously be further squad changes in the off-season and if he gets that right we could be more competitive but if not, we will continue to be bottom feeders as a club.

 

[localpom]

Th next couple of games will be pivotal. I'm leaning towards Paulo out but if we can end the season well then there is hope for next year with some tweaks. If we lose the next couple then the noise will only get louder.
We have a squad that if was well managed should be in the 6.

Aside form the ladder position i'm actually more concerned about a lack of fight and passion, and also how little our younger players have progressed. I mean, who is a better player now than last season? Seeing the once trusted club culture is also a big worry.

Saying that, Paulo has been unable to pick his best side most games and there have been glimpses of a very good side. I'm teetering over the fence and will drop over to Paulo out unless we have a good run home. Top 6 is gone though.Again.

 

[bikinigirl]

. for or against - there is some bloody good stuff in this tread

. the thing for me is that there is something not right - is this down to Okon? well effectively, yes - the buck stops with him - but rarely is it that simple:

• does he have the capacity to turn it around? his general inflexibility would indicate - no.
• is the problem with the Okon/Jolic combination? well the common consensus is becoming that they don't help one another but follow one another (maybe even undermine?) - that is not a productive dynamic
• is the issue with the players? admittedly they should be driven by the coach but what is stopping them from playing like they do against Sydney more regularly?
• Asdrubal has been an easy scapegoat (and a well paid one apparently - to make it an even better 'excuse') ... but no other bastard has produced either - personnel, coaching, desire, all three - it still falls back to the coach

. at the moment I think something has to change ... someone has to bring back the old Mariners spirit - and if neither Okon or Jolic can do that (as seems to be the case) ... one or both of them need to go

 

[Big Al]

. for or against - there is some bloody good stuff in this tread

100% agree

Fairly close poll as well, with plenty prepared to accept either result

Probably that say it’s not quite time but it’s close

 

[greenlig]

Quick q: Why do people think Jolic is useless? I don't know enough about him, just see him on the telly occasionally. It's not just the greedy comment is it? Would genuinely like to know why this is the consensus.

 

[Insertnamehere]

Quick q: Why do people think Jolic is useless? I don't know enough about him, just see him on the telly occasionally. It's not just the greedy comment is it? Would genuinely like to know why this is the consensus.

Melbourne Heart..... Need anymore than that?

 

[Big Al]

There is an article in the telegraph but it’s behind a paywall about paul defending our poor record. If someone has access csn they post the actual article

 

[jpmariner]

I was 99% Okon in till the weekend. Then we went 2-0 up against 10 men and we let it slip. I know players have to take control but I would’ve love to see Okon overtly get a message to Danny and Tom to absolutely dominate and close out the match. Now I’m
80-20 Okon in.

Needs another off season for me to fully make up my mind.

 

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

I think that the amount of time we see players screwing up the basics surely has to fall back on the coaching and what the hell is happening at training.

Although, one would also think that a professional football in the nation's top competition would be able to cross. How so many players are shite at crossing is beyond me. Heck, even playing in my low grades we practiced crossing a lot!!

when the entire team doesn't have their mind on the job week after week....then that can only fall back on the boss.

 

[Rocket]

Really dont want us to go along the path of changing Coaches regularly (aka Smurfs & Jest)
We havent had the results we all crave for, but generally our game play has been matching it with most of the Big Team$$$$. With the budget these other Clubs spend of course their players should be high quality and that is usually the difference between us and them.
We have the basis for a good solid squad. We are mostly competitive but just don't bang in the chances that are presented. We have all seen the glaring missed chances, PO can't score them for the players
The team needs a few other key positions covered especially a consistent striker or two, but these are going to be governed by the man holding the cheque book.
I believe PO deserves another season, but if MC wants bums on seats, he needs to be able to provide PO with the players he needs by spending close to the cap at least, a team winning more often creates that culture. Rocket science really ( pardon the pun)
MC has railed in our budget deficit very well, but the next stage is to have the team perform on the park and win the fans back. This will provide the boost needed through the turnstiles.

 

[bikinigirl]

I think that the amount of time we see players screwing up the basics surely has to fall back on the coaching and what the hell is happening at training.

Although, one would also think that a professional football in the nation's top competition would be able to cross. How so many players are shite at crossing is beyond me. Heck, even playing in my low grades we practiced crossing a lot!!

when the entire team doesn't have their mind on the job week after week....then that can only fall back on the boss.

. what really got me was on the recent podcast where Okon spoke about the training load:

• four sessions a week (recovery, conditioning, two pre-game sessions)
• each session only seemed to be a few hours
• sessions started early morning
• 25 minutes a week was dedicated to tactics

. no wonder kids want to be professional footballers ... sounds like a good gig
. one problem could be that as the coach heads back home to Western Sydney for lunch the team are left to fill their spare time as they choose to enjoy it rather than working on ... umm, their profession

 

[Wombat]

. what really got me was on the recent podcast where Okon spoke about the training load:

• four sessions a week (recovery, conditioning, two pre-game sessions)
• each session only seemed to be a few hours
• sessions started early morning
• 25 minutes a week was dedicated to tactics

. no wonder kids want to be professional footballers ... sounds like a good gig
. one problem could be that as the coach heads back home to Western Sydney for lunch the team are left to fill their spare time as they choose to enjoy it rather than working on ... umm, their profession

I reckon the 25min is a bit of a talk up as well. Although that passage of play against Adelaide when the back 3 passed it sideways to each other for 7 minutes probably took some planning.