Coast title bid may be toast, says McKinna
January 14, 2008
Central Coast 1 Newcastle 2
CENTRAL Coast coach Lawrie McKinna has suggested his slumping club no longer deserves to win the A-League minor premiership after its meek finish to the regular season.
Having led the competition for all but two of the opening 19 rounds, the Mariners will start next week's home-and-away finale off the top perch and relying on other results to secure the league title after their 2-1 loss to Newcastle at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night.
It was the club's third straight home loss - all three of which have come in front of record crowds - and leaves McKinna's men with just one win from their past seven games.
McKinna said it would be "gut wrenching" if his team failed to claim the minor premiership - and the Asian Champions League berth that comes with it - but after conceding 12 goals in their three home losses had no one to blame but themselves.
"We spoke before the game and three-quarters of the team has never won a championship," McKinna said. "We set ourselves up to do it and it's gut-wrenching that you're letting that slip it's a shame that we worked so hard and let that slip, because that was a big thing.
"When you play week in, week out, the minor premiership is a big thing and to have your hands on it all year and then let it slip, it's hard. [But] three home games, three bad results, no excuses, that's not good enough.
"If you're going to win the minor premiership you've got to win your home games.
"Our hard work was all done in the beginning of the season and mid-season, but we've just tapered off at the wrong time we can only wish [of winning the minor premiership], but we don't deserve it.
"We just have to try and pick things up for the finals."
The Mariners could tumble as low as fourth for the semi-finals if they fail to beat Wellington Phoenix at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday.
They are already set to begin the play-offs in the worst form of their season and are in serious danger of being eliminated in the first round if McKinna can't stop the rot.
"Basically, we just have to try and focus on next week and get a result, try to finish second spot, if not first, and try and build things up for the finals," he said.
"The hard work's all been done we just have to find a way to pick that back up."
Captain Alex Wilkinson insisted the pressure was not getting to his side.
"We're all professionals and we've all played big games before, so I don't think that's the case at all," he said.
"I don't think confidence is an issue I just think - as Lawrie says - we're giving away silly goals, and you just can't do that, especially at this time of the season."
Article also available at http://www.smh.com.au/news/a-league/coast-title-bid-may-be-toast-says-mckinna/2008/01/13/1200159279150.html
January 14, 2008
Central Coast 1 Newcastle 2
CENTRAL Coast coach Lawrie McKinna has suggested his slumping club no longer deserves to win the A-League minor premiership after its meek finish to the regular season.
Having led the competition for all but two of the opening 19 rounds, the Mariners will start next week's home-and-away finale off the top perch and relying on other results to secure the league title after their 2-1 loss to Newcastle at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night.
It was the club's third straight home loss - all three of which have come in front of record crowds - and leaves McKinna's men with just one win from their past seven games.
McKinna said it would be "gut wrenching" if his team failed to claim the minor premiership - and the Asian Champions League berth that comes with it - but after conceding 12 goals in their three home losses had no one to blame but themselves.
"We spoke before the game and three-quarters of the team has never won a championship," McKinna said. "We set ourselves up to do it and it's gut-wrenching that you're letting that slip it's a shame that we worked so hard and let that slip, because that was a big thing.
"When you play week in, week out, the minor premiership is a big thing and to have your hands on it all year and then let it slip, it's hard. [But] three home games, three bad results, no excuses, that's not good enough.
"If you're going to win the minor premiership you've got to win your home games.
"Our hard work was all done in the beginning of the season and mid-season, but we've just tapered off at the wrong time we can only wish [of winning the minor premiership], but we don't deserve it.
"We just have to try and pick things up for the finals."
The Mariners could tumble as low as fourth for the semi-finals if they fail to beat Wellington Phoenix at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday.
They are already set to begin the play-offs in the worst form of their season and are in serious danger of being eliminated in the first round if McKinna can't stop the rot.
"Basically, we just have to try and focus on next week and get a result, try to finish second spot, if not first, and try and build things up for the finals," he said.
"The hard work's all been done we just have to find a way to pick that back up."
Captain Alex Wilkinson insisted the pressure was not getting to his side.
"We're all professionals and we've all played big games before, so I don't think that's the case at all," he said.
"I don't think confidence is an issue I just think - as Lawrie says - we're giving away silly goals, and you just can't do that, especially at this time of the season."
Article also available at http://www.smh.com.au/news/a-league/coast-title-bid-may-be-toast-says-mckinna/2008/01/13/1200159279150.html
