Mariners Squad 2022/2023

[FFC Mariner]

Someone who can distribute the ball would be a nice change in goal if possible

 

[Meerkat]

Someone who can distribute the ball would be a nice change in goal if possible

I was waiting for that ?

 

[turbo]

Someone who can distribute the ball would be a nice change in goal if possible

Sorry the curriculum says you're only allowed to play out from the back. FA has banned keepers from going long.

 

[Rising Sun]

So this is now the state of the squad;

GK: Sozer, Beach, Caruso

FB: Fazz, Storm, Aquilina, Kuzevski
CB: Hally, Windust (triantis?)

CM: Niz, Max, Steeley, Tapp

Forwards/Wingers: Cumdog, Marco, Ayongo, Beni, Garang, Ruhs, Silvera, Moresche, Macarthy

by my reckoning that’s 16 senior contracted, 6 scholars.
I know there’s a lot of the youth lads training with the squad, just not the exact names if someone can help with that..

Fullback area looks sorted, Abundance of talent and depth up front and out wide, sorted.
CM just needs 1 experienced player.
Very skinny at CB. Who’s our best option for promotion from youth in that area?

There are few comments in this thread about needing to add an experienced midfielder but I disagree. We were the form team in the league in the final 1/3 of last season with Niz, Ballard and Steely sharing the duties and all 3 of them have got plenty of improvement as well.

Niz and Ballard deserve the starting spots on the form at the back end of last season. Yes you could pick up a decent squaddie who would be a better bench / back-up option than Steely in the short term, but I am expecting big improvements from him this season which won't happen if he is not playing.

There is plenty of depth in CM/DM in the Academy beyond those 3 as well. Tapp and both the Bayliss brothers are ready for some cameos to see if they can step up (and there are others further down the pipeline showing plenty of promise), so I don't see the need to look outside for a 4th choice either.

 

[Michael]

There are few comments in this thread about needing to add an experienced midfielder but I disagree. We were the form team in the league in the final 1/3 of last season with Niz, Ballard and Steely sharing the duties and all 3 of them have got plenty of improvement as well.

Niz and Ballard deserve the starting spots on the form at the back end of last season. Yes you could pick up a decent squaddie who would be a better bench / back-up option than Steely in the short term, but I am expecting big improvements from him this season which won't happen if he is not playing.

There is plenty of depth in CM/DM in the Academy beyond those 3 as well. Tapp and both the Bayliss brothers are ready for some cameos to see if they can step up (and there are others further down the pipeline showing plenty of promise), so I don't see the need to look outside for a 4th choice either.

I rate all 4 that I mentioned verrrrry highly, don’t get me wrong. The biggest reason I think we need atleast one older more experienced option is for the fact that young players always have a dip in form as they develop. Steeley started last season well coming from nowhere to start next to Ollie. Max had a poor start but was then phenomenal and nizzy had a low run before being exceptional again. Just creates a decent balance.

 

[scottmac]

There are few comments in this thread about needing to add an experienced midfielder but I disagree. We were the form team in the league in the final 1/3 of last season with Niz, Ballard and Steely sharing the duties and all 3 of them have got plenty of improvement as well.

Niz and Ballard deserve the starting spots on the form at the back end of last season. Yes you could pick up a decent squaddie who would be a better bench / back-up option than Steely in the short term, but I am expecting big improvements from him this season which won't happen if he is not playing.

There is plenty of depth in CM/DM in the Academy beyond those 3 as well. Tapp and both the Bayliss brothers are ready for some cameos to see if they can step up (and there are others further down the pipeline showing plenty of promise), so I don't see the need to look outside for a 4th choice either.

Isn't the next Kuol a defensive midfielder? He looks to be a good defender and passer.

 

[Big Dog]

what happend to him.

ACL

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Someone who can distribute the ball would be a nice change in goal if possible

I would like someone who can stop shots like Birra, disribute like Matt and dominate the box like Vuka.
Easy

 

[Allreet?]

I rate all 4 that I mentioned verrrrry highly, don’t get me wrong. The biggest reason I think we need atleast one older more experienced option is for the fact that young players always have a dip in form as they develop. Steeley started last season well coming from nowhere to start next to Ollie. Max had a poor start but was then phenomenal and nizzy had a low run before being exceptional again. Just creates a decent balance.

While I agree with your philosophy, I'd also suggest that all three have developed to a point that they are now fully fledged A Leaguers. Sometimes a bond among such youngsters can be much stronger than the sum of its parts and maybe the interference of a "seasoned pro" might disrupt that unity.

I reckon the kids are alright...

 

[AuzDutchy]

While I agree with your philosophy, I'd also suggest that all three have developed to a point that they are now fully fledged A Leaguers. Sometimes a bond among such youngsters can be much stronger than the sum of its parts and maybe the interference of a "seasoned pro" might disrupt that unity.

I reckon the kids are alright...

Nisbet yes, the other 2 still have a ways to come experience wise

the value of an experienced CM/DM to teach and help train is huge

 

[priorpeter]

It’s Balard, not Ballard. Balard. One l.

Thank you for listening to my Ted talk.

 

[pjennings]

There are few comments in this thread about needing to add an experienced midfielder but I disagree. We were the form team in the league in the final 1/3 of last season with Niz, Ballard and Steely sharing the duties and all 3 of them have got plenty of improvement as well.

Niz and Ballard deserve the starting spots on the form at the back end of last season. Yes you could pick up a decent squaddie who would be a better bench / back-up option than Steely in the short term, but I am expecting big improvements from him this season which won't happen if he is not playing.

There is plenty of depth in CM/DM in the Academy beyond those 3 as well. Tapp and both the Bayliss brothers are ready for some cameos to see if they can step up (and there are others further down the pipeline showing plenty of promise), so I don't see the need to look outside for a 4th choice either.

I think the problem is that we also are light on in defence. If we sign the Hibs guy that may ease my mind with the mids. Taken together though at the moment we look very inexperienced through the middle.

 

[Rising Sun]

Nisbet yes, the other 2 still have a ways to come experience wise

the value of an experienced CM/DM to teach and help train is huge

Not disagreeing the principle of having an old head to guide the young players would normally be beneficial. If Niz and Balard had moved on and we were looking at Tapp and Steele as our DMs then I would be saying that it is an essential buy.

But Niz and Max are both now capable of starting and are at the stage of their careers where they need to be getting plenty of minutes. Signing an old head may benefit the development of one of them but would inhibit the development of whichever one was relegated to the pine (with knock on impacts to the others in the pipeline) and would not necessarily improve the team by that much (unless someone like Mooy or Luongo landed in our laps in which case I might change my stance).

 

[Rising Sun]

I think the problem is that we also are light on in defence. If we sign the Hibs guy that may ease my mind with the mids. Taken together though at the moment we look very inexperienced through the middle.

We do need to sign a starting CB, and I think that is the opportunity to bring in some experience - ideally somebody that is a "talker" / leader and can help the young DMs. I am assuming that it is a priority and we have other irons in the fire if the Hibs guy falls through (Mulgrew at Dundee Utd as part of any Birraz deal would be a good option; Jakkobsen would be fit as well).

If we couldn't get a suitable old head for CB and we finished up with another young gun there then that might merit a re-think on the DMs but tbh I would then maybe looking at investing in a more experience GK to be the "leader" (assuming Birraz goes).

 

[Rising Sun]

It’s Balard, not Ballard. Balard. One l.

Thank you for listening to my Ted talk.

So it's Balard with one "l" and McCarthyyy with three "y"s (min.)? Got it.

 

[Rising Sun]

Isn't the next Kuol a defensive midfielder? He looks to be a good defender and passer.

Came as a DM, had a stint as a striker earlier in the season and has been playing CB for the last 2 or 3 weeks. He'll be quality wherever he finishes up.

 

[priorpeter]

So it's Balard with one "l" and McCarthyyy with three "y"s (min.)? Got it.

Got it!

 

[FFC Mariner]

Got it!

And Ziggy with 1 C

 

[marinermick]

And Ziggy with 1 C

Thought it was K9

 

[Ozhammer]

We just saw Birraz having coffee with Lawrie this morning, so not at training this morning