R13: Asian Champions vs Central Coast

[eenfish]

We look like a state league team, with state league quality players coached by a state league coach trying to play a style we don't have the players with the footballing ability to play. A lot of the players are looking lost out on the field and no one is creating any options going forward.

I thought this was a bit harsh at first, but quite honestly having seen both South Melbourne and Bentleigh Greens play in the flesh recently, I definitely think they could give us a serious run for our money. Compared to the quality at clubs like Perth and Victory, we are miles away.

 

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal! It's gotta be a goal!

god I hate commentators sometimes...

anyway, thought our first half was good. duke was brilliant. I was starting to wonder if Matty Simon had forgotten to send Srebre Delovski a christmas card though....

I feel like we should have won that. Second half, nobody seemed interested in working. Worries me a bit that we can draw, but not win. We lift to a certian level, but nothing further. I assume we have a sports psychologist we work with, in case the issue is mindset?

 

[bikinigirl]

The news that Travis Major is likely to sign in January only endorses the view that the Moss is more comfortable recruiting from State Leagues than overseas.

. i think that the amount he has been allowed to spend has a fair bit to do with it ... i don't know if any of the foreigners were on big money (kim maybe?) ... but i am curious how close we are to the salary floor. surely all our kids and recent NSWPL recruits can't be earning too much?

. i can't help but think back to when arnie left vegemite sandwich (or when flores was injured before that) ... if only we had have made a decent offer to mikey. we may have someone in the middle of the park with skill and experience, an ability to hold onto the ball and constantly make himself available to receive the ball (and relieve some pressure). the kids and NSWPL recruits may have been able to function a little better ... and grow faster as players - and as a team

 

[ballantyne]

Now we have played everyone, and the two worse teams than us twice, so the latter half of the season is looking nasty. We got 1.5 pts per game against NWC &WSW so we can reasonably expect 3 more points there.
Perhaps another 4 points are available elsewhere: a surprise win and a battling draw. That gives us 16 pts or 0.6 pts per game.

 

[ballantyne]

As we already know a clean sheet is worth 2.35 pts on average, you can imagine that the coach is thinking we need to get the defence right first.
So I think we're going to find the recruiting somewhat dour.
So many times you can see us concede with all 4 defenders in or around the 6 yard box.
It's not going to be pretty but I really feel our goal scoring woes will be the last thing to improve.
At least we don't have to take penalties anymore.

 

[justafan]

I usually don't blame coaches for player's performances as I believe coaches don't enter the pitch. I'll make an exception in regards to the game v the wsw and hold Mossy responsible for not taking the 3 pts. A team and formation that played a very inspiring 2nd half in the previous game should have never been changed. Why start with Sim ? Why didn't Roux start ? Imo the back 4 should have started with Roux, Pasco, Bosnar and Rose. Midfield with Hutch as holding, Caceres and Trifiro in a more attacking role dropping to defend when required. Up front : Fitzy, Simon and Dukey. The wanderers are horrible. If Mossy's tactics weren't so negative, we could have won in a comfortable manner.

In regards to Caceres, I agree that he did not have much of an impact yesterday ( not his fault ) but still most of our attacks, started from him. Our clearest scoring opportunity came from his shot from outside the box. What most of us don't know ( unless you played the game and were a decent player ) is how frustrating it must be for a player of his calibre to try and play football in this mariners squad. A coach, assistant and even a keeper trainer constantly screaming their heads of on the side line for him to drop deep and not to push forward. I was sitting behind mariners bench and it was pathetic. Our most creative player, the player with the highest passing accuracy in the HAL ( FOX commentators said it ), the player that can and will make a difference is being restricted from fully expressing himself on the field. As an AM he performed very well and for some unknown reason he was dropped to DM. As a mariner's supporter I wouldn't like it but I can only just imagine how good Cas would be if he was playing for AU or MV at present. If he had a family friend like Cahill I have no doubts that he would go much further. He's above Antonis as a player. Although a different kind of player, Duke is also being wasted by our coaching staff tactical instructions. Duke is an attacking player not a defensive one. Technically not a Caceres but full of energy and strength to run over defenders. Use him for that purpose.

Next game will be a difficult one v MC. They're nothing special but are properly coached. I would like to see the following team and formation:

.....................................................Reddy.........................................................

Storm......................Zac...........................Bosnar.............................Rose

..............................Posco..........................Hutch....................................

.............................................Caceres........................................................

Fitzy...................................Simon......................................Duke

 

[ballantyne]

I agree Caceres and Duke are performing well below potential. Duke's entrenched right-footedness will be the death of his career.
If we can recruit a good DM of say Rostyn Griffiths standard, that could free Caceres.

 

[Roy Law]

In regards to Caceres... What most of us don't know ( unless you played the game and were a decent player ) is how frustrating it must be for a player of his calibre to try and play football in this mariners squad. A coach, assistant and even a keeper trainer constantly screaming their heads of on the side line for him to drop deep and not to push forward. I was sitting behind mariners bench and it was pathetic. Our most creative player, the player with the highest passing accuracy in the HAL ( FOX commentators said it ), the player that can and will make a difference is being restricted from fully expressing himself on the field. As an AM he performed very well and for some unknown reason he was dropped to DM. As a mariner's supporter I wouldn't like it but I can only just imagine how good Cas would be if he was playing for AU or MV at present.

Couldn't agree more

 

[Roy Law]

And, if you want to get really depressed, listen to Phil Moss in the presser

 

[McGrime]

That was really tough to watch.
And as most of you guys have mentioned frustrating after a lot of heart shown Vs Roar last week.
After a short turn around Mossy probaby thought OK we scored 3 & let in 3 so if I just defend a bit better we win our next game.
Nah....never works like that both teams were shite last night.
There must have been 50 passes that were delivered short of the mark in the first half.
Then 50 more first touches that allowed an attacker to get at least a piece of the ball.
Then add in the number of fouls, the crappy humidity and a couple of personel changes and you come up with

The best thing about this year is the 1 month break after we play City.

Anyway I will be there again to cheer the boys Mariners Undefeated in 2015

 

[Big Al]

For those commending the defence WSW should have scored twice in first half. A one on one fluffed and our typical cross through the 6 yard box tap in but they chickened out of the tap in.